Michigan Football: Is grad transfer Calvin Anderson the answer at tackle?
Michigan football knows it needs help at offensive tackle, which is why the Wolverines are going after graduate transfer Calvin Anderson.
During the era of Jim Harbaugh, Michigan football has had some success with graduate transfers and right now, the Wolverines are looking to strike again. This time with an offensive tackle.
Of course in college football, there is no free agency. The only way to find experienced talent to fill immediate needs is graduate transfers. Junior college transfers is another way, but that can be more of a crap shoot.
On the offensive line, Michigan football struggled in 2017. In fact, they have struggled the past few years to protect and run the ball against elite competition. Mason Cole played well at left tackle last season for the Wolverines, but outside of him, there is nothing but questions.
Cue the Wolverines interest in Anderson, a 6-5, 300-pound left tackle from Rice, who earned honorable mention honors in Conference USA.
However, with Anderson, Michigan football isn’t the only team that is interested. According to the Detroit Free Press, Anderson also had offers from Oklahoma, TCU, Auburn, Texas and Pitt.
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That tells us Anderson is a legit player, but it also means he is no sure thing to choose the Wolverines, although if he does, he should find himself starting at right or left tackle. Michigan still has guys like Juwann Bushell-Beaty, Nolan Ulizio, Chuck Filiaga and Jon Runyan Jr., who have all played, but none have really excelled.
Incoming freshman Jalen Mayfield, who played recently at the Army All-American Bowl, could also throw his hat in the ring. But with uncertainty at quarterback, the last thing the Wolverines want is uncertainty along the offensive line.
Obviously, the elephant in the room is Grant Newsome. If he can get back on the field in 2018, as he is vowing to do, he could be Michigan’s starting left tackle. That’s what he was before his gruesome injury and he could be that again. But either way, UM could still use Anderson, who could play right or left tackle.
One thing that could help Michigan football recruit him, is its penchant for turning out NFL draft picks under Harbaugh. The Wolverines had 17 guys to the NFL last season and should add quite a few more this April. Mason Cole, Mike McCray and Maurice Hurst are the ones getting the most hype, but guys like Khalid Hill are getting love too.
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At the end of the day, it’s good to see Michigan trying to fill some holes. The Wolverines added a marquee transfer at quarterback, now they are trying to shore up another key part of the offense, the tackle spot, which should help whoever ends up being the signal caller in 2018.