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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — What’s ben a position of strength for the Wolverines the past two seasons is once again questionable. At least in fans’ and pundits’ eyes.
But not so to Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh is enthusiastic about the group that will be taking the field in 2020, beyond the sole returning full-time starter from 2019 in Jalen Mayfield. Yes, Harbaugh notes his excitement for Mayfield’s return at right tackle — understandably, given that he’s getting first-round projections in early 2021 NFL mock drafts — but he isn’t as dour as some pundits are about the line as a whole.
On a Zoom call on Wednesday, Harbaugh shared what the new-look offensive line could look like, noting that two former starters will have opportunities, along with a prominent former four-star, a former walk-on who played heavily in last year’s Ohio State game and two second-year players who have high upside.
“Jalen Mayfield looks phenomenal as a tackle, as a football player,” Harbaugh said. “He’s another example of somebody who’s really done a great job this entire offseason. Looks great!
“The other guys: Ryan Hayes is definitely somebody that’s gained experience. Started at left tackle. Expect really good things from him. Center: Carpenter, Vastardis — anticipate those two guys battling it out there and do a great job. The guard position: there’s gonna be a few guys. Chuck Filiaga’s looking good, doing great. He’s really developed. I think he’s ready to play. Karsen Barnhart would be another there at guard. Andrew Stueber will be back and is back from his ACL injury he had last year. He’s looking good. There’s some real good guys in there and they’ll be battling for those positions.
“Overall, I would say it looks good. It looks good right now. Both from a strength standpoint, really good length there and the athleticism is really good in that group. Ed Warinner does a great job coaching them and we’ll know more as we start getting them together. Right now, they’re in those voluntary workout groups. But, come July 24, very excited to see them jell. Individually, they’ve definitely done a great job of understanding the system, installs have been probably installed three times, if not four. Mentally very sharp and guys are knowing what they’re doing.”
Naturally, though, much of the OL optimism is centered on Mayfield’s return.
The redshirt sophomore handled 2020 No. 2 pick Chase Young with aplomb — along with now-Green Bay Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr., the former Wolverines left tackle. Having come in for voluntary workouts mere weeks ago, Harbaugh likens Mayfield’s return to campus to another lineman who he touted on the Zoom call on Wednesday.
“Expectations are really high. He looks great,” Harbaugh said. “He definitely — he looks and moves kinda like Jeter. He looks bigger and he’s moving better according to them. Really good, really high expectations.
“I’ve always said it — maybe I haven’t said it to you, but I’ve thought this at least: since Jalen Mayfield has been here, every time I watch the film of practice, I like watching 73. That is a thing. I like the way he plays. I like watching him play football. I think so far the offseason indicates he’s going to be even better. So, super excited for him and his opportunity this year.”