Michigan Football: Could Grant Newsome start at left tackle in 2018?
If Grant Newsome gets cleared to play in the 2018 season, can he reclaim his old starting job at left tackle for Michigan football?
There are few Michigan football players who have suffered an injury as bad as the Grant Newsome had against Wisconsin back in 2016. The offensive lineman nearly lost his leg and already, the injury has cost him basically two years of his college football career.
Newsome, who was the starting left back in 2016, before having his kneecap dislocated against Wisconsin, said Sunday, he was hoping to return to the field in 2018, “as soon as possible,” according to the Detroit Free Press.
Newsome sounds hopeful that he will be medically cleared to play by the start of the 2018 regular season, if not before. Obviously, the sooner the better, but either way, it’s just good to know he’s on the comeback trail.
“I want to play right now. But it’s up to the doctors when they’ll let me go.” Newsome said this past weekend as he received the Pete Schmidt Courage Award at a local awards banquet.
While Newsome’s health is the most important thing, getting him back on the field could be huge for Michigan football. The 6-7, 315-pound tackle was growing into his role there before the injury and if he can return to form, would seem to have a good chance at getting his old job back.
Michigan Wolverines Football
Last season, Mason Cole bumped out to left tackle to fill in for Newsome. However, with his graduation, the starting job will be open, although there will surely be plenty of competition.
At this point, it’s hard to know when Newsome will be medically cleared to play. Certainly, if he could try to make spring ball, that would be ideal. Yet, it sounds like he should be cleared sometime before the 2018 season.
If he has enough time before the season to get back in the groove of football, maybe he could contend for the starting job. He surely has all the natural tools to compete. Guys that are 6-7 and 300 pounds don’t grow on trees. Attributes like that aren’t all that matters, but as a left tackle, they are pretty important.
Michigan football struggled to protect its quarterbacks this season. Wilton Speight was knocked out of the with an injury. Then, later on, backup Brandon Peters was also concussed, leaving only John O’Korn healthy for the Ohio State game.
It’s obvious that the offensive line needs to improve. And while there is plenty of young talent on the roster and more coming, getting Newsome back would be huge. Especially if he can somehow find a way like he did before the injury.
You never quite know how athletes will recover, particularly when you suffer as dramatic an injury as Newsome did. But sports medicine has come a long way, so anything is possible.
Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time
Whatever happens, it will be just great to see Newsome don a Michigan uniform again. Whether he starts or not is a secondary conversation. But with the current state of the offensive line, his presence certainly can’t hurt.