Tag: Evan Link

Why two little-known players are surging on the offensive line for Michigan

These guys have really come on strong in fall camp. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Could Michigan football fans be in for a surprise on Saturday when they see the new-look starting offensive line? It’s beginning to feel that way.

Three positions have long been set in left tackle Myles Hinton, left guard Josh Priebe, and right guard Giovanni El-Hadi. But while Greg Crippen was expected to win the center job and either Jeff Persi or Andrew Gentry were expected to win right guard, two new challengers have come forth with converted-defensive tackle-turned-center Dominick Giudice and right tackle Evan Link entering the fold. The hype surrounding both has been so huge that it would surprise no one if either wins the starting job.

“We feel really good about multiple guys both at that center position, that right tackle position,” offensive line coach Grant Newsome said. “We feel like we’ve got — really, truthfully — three guys in each of those positions that we could go out and win a lot of games with. So I’m excited to see how it continues to play out. And I know the guys we trot out there on Saturday are gonna do really good job. I have full confidence, and even the guys behind them. So excited to see how the crew plays.”

Giudice was never really expected to be more than a role or depth player. A three-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class from Freehold (N.J.) Mater Dei, he was an edge rusher and the second-lowest rated player in the class, ahead of only the punter. He first bulked up and moved to the interior defensive line and served as a backup there. But then he made the switch last year to the interior of the offensive line. And Newsome has appreciated how heady of a player he is — which has allowed him to be in the thick of the competition, if not win the job outright.

“He’s done a great job,” Newsome said. “Obviously not having an extensive O-line background — we really recruited him as technically like an edge. So he’s taken to offensive line in general really, really quickly, and then to center as well.

“Obviously, that’s position is very much mental. You’re the quarterback of the O-line and besides the quarterback, you’re the only person on the field who touches the ball every single play. So it’s as critical a position there is in football. So he’s done a really, really good job putting himself in the mix there. And like I said, he’s one of those three guys at center we feel like we go out and win another national championship with.”

Link is a different story. A redshirt freshman from Washington D.C., he was a four-star recruit who was thought to be a Penn State lean before he surprised by committing to Michigan. He was expected to be a factor sooner or later, but as it turns out, it’s sooner than later.

“He’s made big jumps — not just mentally and playbook-wise and play-wise — but physically from being a freshman,” Newsome said of Link. “And sometimes it’s easy to forget how big the jump that those guys can make from their freshman year to sophomore year can be, especially offensive linemen. So physically, he’s in a really, really good spot, and then he’s embraced the challenge of competing against two older guys who are both very good players in their own right.

“We feel like we’re fortunate. It’s a good problem to have.”

Fans will get an opportunity to see whoever starts at those positions on Saturday when Michigan hosts Fresno State for the 2024 season opener at The Big House. Kickoff is slated for 7:34 p.m. EDT and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.

Is there a new leader for Michigan football at center entering 2024?

There could be a shakeup at center and right tackle. #GoBlue

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan football is making the finishing touches when it comes to the starting lineup for the 2024 season with just five days before the home opener against Fresno State.

There are just a few positions that aren’t decided — quarterback being the big one — but one still being worked out is the player who will get the ball in the QB’s hands every play.

In spring, it was a foregone conclusion that Greg Crippen, a fourth-year player out of IMG Academy, would finally get his chance. But the spring competition ramped up between him and former Detroit (Michigan) Cass Tech center Raheem Anderson.

However, another name entered the fray, and he has a good chance to win the role.

Dominick Giudice from Freehold (N.J.) Mater Dei was the second-lowest-rated commitment in the 2021 recruiting class, ahead of only punter Tommy Doman. Giudice came to Ann Arbor expecting to be an edge rusher before transitioning to the middle of the defense as a tackle. Last year, he made the switch to the offensive side of the ball and he’s in the thick of it as the potential starting center, battling with Crippen.

“Right now, at center, we’ve got a couple guys,” Moore said. “We’ve got Dom Giudice, we’ve got Greg Crippen, and we’ve got Raheem Anderson. Right now, it’s still a competition. So we’ll see who does it. I think Crippen and Dom have been the top two in camp so far. So we’ll see how they compete this week.”

The right tackle battle, likewise, was expected to be an obvious win for either Andrew Gentry or Jeff Persi, but second-year tackle Evan Link has made an imprint there.

“Then our right tackle, Andrew Gentry, Evan Link, have been the top two candidates there,” Moore said. “So we’ll see what happens this week. But I feel like we’ve got a good — we’ll have more insight and cement as we go through the rest of the week.”

So what has allowed Giudice and Link to make such an impact that they very well could end up starting for the Wolverines on the first snap against Fresno State?

Moore said both are talented and both know what they’re supposed to be doing. But really, it’s Michigan’s cross-training that has allowed them to find the positions that work best for them.

“I think just one, from a knowledge of the playbook standpoint, knowing what to do and how to do it, both have the talent, both have the ability, but the toughness and the mental toughness to withstand all the strain,” Moore said. “And as you go through camp and different things happen, be able to be flexible. Play right, play left, play center, play guard, and be one of the best five. Because that’s all we’re going to do is try to find the best five. That’s how we built the line, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Early Signing Day: Evan Link signs with Michigan football

Another beast on the O-line! #GoBlue

Ratings

Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 4 – #44 OT #3
On3 4 134 #11 OT #3
Rivals 4 – #27 OT #3
ESPN 4 33 #3 OT #2
247Sports Composite 4 268 #24 OT #3
On3 Consensus 4 289 #22 OT #3

Vitals

Hometown Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga
Projected Position Offensive Tackle
Height 6-foot-5.5
Weight 290-pounds

Notable offers

Readiness Level

Already has prototypical size, but likely won’t play outside of special teams for some time, due to the loaded position group.

Early Enrollee?

No

Notes

Via MGoBlue.com:

Prep
• Attended Gonzaga College High School (2023) coached by Randy Trivers
• Helped the Eagles reach the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) semifinal in 2022 with a 5-6 overall record
• Went 5-0 during a spring, 2021 season and won another five games in the fall, 2021 season
• Fall, 2020 season canceled due to COVID

Key Statistics
• Helped the offense average 32.0 points per game in wins and more than 21 points per game overall in 2022
• Blocked for an offense that eclipsed 20 points five times and 30 points three times in one of the toughest high school conferences in the nation
• The Eagles’ offense averaged 28.4 points per game in five wins during his junior year

Honors and Rankings
• Earned a 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; the No. 267 overall player nationally, the No. 24 offensive tackle and the No. 3 player in the District of Columbia
• Named a three-star prospect by 247Sports; the No. 43 offensive tackle and the No. 3 player in the District of Columbia
• Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 44 player in the region, the No. 33 offensive tackle and the country and the No. 3 player in the District of Columbia
• Rivals.com four-star prospect, the No. 27 tackle in the nation and the No. 3 player in the District of Columbia
• On3.com four-star consensus prospect, the No. 289 player in the country, the No. 22 tackle in the nation and the No. 3 player in the District of Columbia
• On3.com four-star prospect, the No. 134 player in the nation, the No. 11 tackle in the country and the No. 2 player in the District of Columbia
• Named first-team Class AA All-State as a junior (2021)
• Two-time first-team All-WCAC as a junior and senior (2021-22)

Personal
• Evan Link was born Dec. 21, 2004

Scouting report

Via On3:

Technically sound offensive lineman with a big frame and well-rounded skill set. Measured around 6-foot-5.5, 290 pounds prior to his senior season. Has solid length with a 33.75-inch arm. Technically advanced relative to many other top offensive tackle prospects. Polished with his hand placement. Understands how to position his body against defenders. Moves well as a run blocker at the second level. Shows reactive quickness in pass protection. Faces top competition on a weekly basis at the high school level. Could potentially move inside at the next level if needed. Will need to continue improving his functional strength at the next level.

Film

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Michigan football reels in 2023 four-star offensive lineman

The first domino from the BBQ at the Big House falls! #GoBlue

Michigan football held its BBQ at the Big House on Sunday, and the flagship recruiting event included a surprise visitor.

Not included on the various visitors lists was Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga four-star offensive tackle Evan Link, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound lineman, who had been thought to be a Penn State lean prior to his quiet visit to Ann Arbor.

Boasting a 4.22 GPA on his Twitter account, Link was strongly considering the Wolverines, Nittany Lions, and Stanford Cardinal, among others. However, his trip to Ann Arbor appeared to be enough to sway him towards Michigan, as Link announced his commitment to the maize and blue on Monday morning.

He’s the 13th pledge to the 2023 class and the first offensive lineman to commit to the program this cycle.

Link is rated the No. 294 player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. He also had offers from Florida State, Miami, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and many others.

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Crystal ball predicts four-star offensive tackle to Penn State

Recruiting expert casts crystal ball pick for Penn State for this four-star offensive tackle

It is clear to see that Penn State has placed a good amount of emphasis on improving its offensive line depth and quality in the Class of 2023 recruiting cycle. And after spending a decent amount of time beginning to fill in other areas on the depth chart, another four-star offensive lineman could be making his way to Happy Valley.

[autotag]Evan Link[/autotag] is a four-star offensive tackle according to the 247Sports composite player ratings from Washington D.C., and it is beginning to look as though Penn State is the early favorite to secure his verbal commitment.

On Tuesday, Lions247 insider Tyler Calvaruso case the first official crystal ball prediction for Link on 247Sports. Calvarusso’s prediction favored Penn State. It is worth noting at the time of the crystal ball prediction going on record, Calvarusso was 16-for16 with his crystal ball predictions in the Class of 2023, including a number of recent Penn State commits such as [autotag]DaKaari Nelson[/autotag], [autotag]Tomarrion Parker[/autotag], and [autotag]King Mack[/autotag].

While still early to form a real outlook, the On3 recruiting prediction machine also gives Penn State a sizable advantage on the recruiting trail with a 52.7% chance of landing Link’s verbal commitment. Stanford is second in the running according to On3’s prediction machine with a 31.0% chance of receiving Link’s commitment.

In addition to Penn State and Stanford, Michigan appears to be the other viable contender on the recruiting trail for Link. Link visited all three schools in the month of June with Penn State getting the first visit, followed by Michigan a week later and culminating with an official visit to Stanford after that.

No commitment date for Link has been confirmed at this time, but this does set a positive tone for the Nittany Lions as we inch closer to a decision being finalized.

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