ANN ARBOR, Mich. — At Big Ten media days last month, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day referred to his team’s preparation this offseason for Michigan as ‘extreme.’ Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker espoused the size of his team’s lines, noting that they’ve bulked up with 300-pound players across the board.
As Michigan football’s rivals react to the Wolverines’ plan of attack following two-straight Big Ten Championships, the maize and blue don’t feel like they have to adjust. As others adjust, Michigan continues improving on the same path it’s already on.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t think we do anything different,” senior right guard Zak Zinter said. “I mean, we had all offseason to get bigger, faster, stronger, too. So I mean, they can try to make it an emphasis and we definitely make an emphasis to run the ball. So I mean, they’re playing catch-up right now. So we’re just going to keep doing what we do.”
The primary reason why Michigan doesn’t have to worry as much as some others might in terms of changing the style of play isn’t just because the past two years have worked out well for it. It’s also because the Wolverines have the most returning production in the conference.
Thus, instead of having to reload and work to fit in the next man up, the players who already know what it takes to win are progressing, adding to their already formidable repertoire.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s nice to have a lot of dudes come back,” Zinter said. “It’s not really one of those rebuilding years that some teams have. It kind of felt like we came in and just picked up right where we left off in the offseason and spring ball and then start of camp. So it’s been nice to get out there with the guys again and just start rolling.”
The offensive line is particularly impressive. Coming off of two-straight Joe Moore Awards, despite having several players ready to step up and into starting roles, the Wolverines added three top-notch players via the transfer portal. Center Drake Nugent may be the centerpiece as a Rimington Trophy watch list member, but LaDarius Henderson and Myles Hinton are also vying for starting jobs — ones that Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones won’t be too willing to relent.
The depth is so deep that Jim Harbaugh noted that the O-line has a two-deep that could see the second line start at most schools. With that kind of depth, Zinter is hoping that there’s a special heavy package that would allow for the Wolverines to truly showcase that level of talent.
“Coach Harbaugh said it: we got 10 dudes that could start damn near anywhere in the country,” Zinter said. “So I mean, it’s great to have depth in the offensive line. It’s gonna take more than just five starting guys to play this year and get us the wins.
“But I mean, yeah, you guys seen some big packages out of us last year. So who knows? Maybe we’ll get 10 on the field and a running back. Who knows what we get out there! But yeah, I mean, it definitely opens up some stuff to get creative. Definitely.”
While a 10-man in-play offensive line is unlikely to see in-game, it does speak to just how deep overall the Wolverines are.
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