Michigan Football: Could Ryan Hayes push to start at right tackle?

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh said good things about Ryan Hayes play this spring. So does that mean that Hayes could possibly start at right tackle?

When Ryan Hayes committed the Michigan football program back in 2018, it was easy to see the massive potential in the 6-foot-7 seven offensive tackle.

Now, a player that came to the Wolverines as a raw talent, is starting to develop and head coach Jim Harbaugh is taking notice.

Speaking on his podcast, Attack Each Day, Harbaugh spoke about Michigan football’s spring practices and one position that he spoke positively about was the offensive line including Hayes, a redshirt freshman.

Here’s what Harbaugh said about Hayes:

"“Dad you will be excited to also hear that Ryan Hayes is on the scene and really finishing and playing athletic. I’m excited about the offensive line."

While Hayes has looked good so far, Harbaugh also had good things to say about the rest of the competition along the offensive line.

"“Michael Onwenu is really standing out along with Cesar Ruiz and Ben Bredeson. That’s a real strength for our football team. The tackles Jon Runyan Jr. is having a very good spring so far. Andrew Stueber and Jalen Mayfield are battling it out at right tackle. That competition is waging on, but younger guys (like Joel) Hongiford is doing a really good job.”"

Jon Runyan Jr. obviously has the job locked down at left tackle after earning All-Conference honors last season and being part of a unit that took a gigantic step forward under the direction of Ed Warriner.

While the four returning starters should have their positions locked down, the one job that still has some mystery is at right tackle.

Andrew Stueber started the last few games at right tackle last season when Juwann Bushell-Beatty got injured and while it wasn’t necessarily his fault, the Ohio State and Florida games weren’t all the great for the offensive line.

Stueber also has never been the starter for a full season and with talented guys behind him like another redshirt freshman Jalen Mayfield, he’s going to have to keep fighting to hold the job all the way until opening day.

That’s just how Harbaugh operates and one guy that could benefit from that mantra is Hayes, who has rare size and he’s also really athletic. Michigan football still lists him as a tight end on their website, and even though it says he’s 271 pounds, my guess is that he is closer to 300 now and not all big guys are athletic to play tight end.

Mayfield is also 6-foot-5 and around 295 pounds and is probably more seasoned. He has been getting second-team reps at times since last season and that might give him a better chance to unseat Stueber.

At any rate, if Hayes can keep improving and puts together a really good spring, he will certainly put himself in the mix to start this fall. With a strong trio of offensive tackles coming in as part of the freshmen class, nothing will be guaranteed yet if Hayes keeps impressing the head coach, he at least has a shot to move up the depth chart.