ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When it comes to the Michigan football offensive line, the Wolverines appear to have a pretty solid group that could be the starting five, but the coaches are still tweaking, looking for the best five. Sometimes, that means moving players around.
Our mid-spring prediction is that, from left to right, it would go Evan Link, Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Nathan Efobi, and Andrew Sprague. And though that’s the likely starting five if the season were to start now, the coaches aren’t satisfied with what the line looks like at the moment, understanding that there are other combinations that could be better.
Take Evan Link, the redshirt sophomore who played most of the 2024 season at right tackle before moving to left for the ReliaQuest Bowl — though pegged to remain at left tackle, he says that he’s also working out at both guard spots — something he hasn’t done at any point in his football career.
“Starting this spring ball, I’ve played everything but right and center — right tackle and center,” Link said. “So I’ve moved both the guard spots, played left, and I’m just, I think the coaches just move me around, seeing where I fit, and then seeing how I do at guard, just because I’ve never played guard in my entire career, right? In high school I never played guard. This spring ball is my first real exposure to it, and I’m enjoying it, so new challenges, new things to learn, and it’s been fun, I’d say.”
So, with that in mind, when Link slides inside, who are the tackles then? Unsurprisingly, when at right guard, Andrew Sprague is playing to his right, but who would be the left tackle when he’s at left guard? Brady Norton, the Cal Poly transfer, has been getting his opportunity.
Norton has gotten some positive mentions this spring, and Link shared what stands out to him about Norton’s ability.
“I’d say Brady’s motor, just because he plays relentlessly, he’s always going,” Link said. “He loves Beat Ohio (drill), just because he’s always driving his feet after a play, trying to put somebody in the ground. So I’d say his motor, he’s just always going.”
Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look Michigan football offensive line in action on April 19 in the annual spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Who else could play left tackle for Michigan football this year?
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When it comes to the Michigan football offensive line, the Wolverines appear to have a pretty solid group that could be the starting five, but the coaches are still tweaking, looking for the best five. Sometimes, that means moving players around.
Our mid-spring prediction is that, from left to right, it would go Evan Link, Giovanni El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Nathan Efobi, and Andrew Sprague. And though that’s the likely starting five if the season were to start now, the coaches aren’t satisfied with what the line looks like at the moment, understanding that there are other combinations that could be better.
Take Evan Link, the redshirt sophomore who played most of the 2024 season at right tackle before moving to left for the ReliaQuest Bowl — though pegged to remain at left tackle, he says that he’s also working out at both guard spots — something he hasn’t done at any point in his football career.
“Starting this spring ball, I’ve played everything but right and center — right tackle and center,” Link said. “So I’ve moved both the guard spots, played left, and I’m just, I think the coaches just move me around, seeing where I fit, and then seeing how I do at guard, just because I’ve never played guard in my entire career, right? In high school I never played guard. This spring ball is my first real exposure to it, and I’m enjoying it, so new challenges, new things to learn, and it’s been fun, I’d say.”
So, with that in mind, when Link slides inside, who are the tackles then? Unsurprisingly, when at right guard, Andrew Sprague is playing to his right, but who would be the left tackle when he’s at left guard? Brady Norton, the Cal Poly transfer, has been getting his opportunity.
Norton has gotten some positive mentions this spring, and Link shared what stands out to him about Norton’s ability.
“I’d say Brady’s motor, just because he plays relentlessly, he’s always going,” Link said. “He loves Beat Ohio (drill), just because he’s always driving his feet after a play, trying to put somebody in the ground. So I’d say his motor, he’s just always going.”
Fans will get an opportunity to see the new-look Michigan football offensive line in action on April 19 in the annual spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Who else could play left tackle for Michigan football this year?
