Michigan football: Opportunity to add to strong O-line class in 2020

Long a target of scrutiny from fans, Michigan football has received pledges from two good offensive linemen in the 2020 class. This weekend, the Wolverines will get the chance to bolster this position group even further.

Still very early in the process, Michigan football looks to be piecing together another top-20 recruiting class in 2020. Among the 10 current commits, two are offensive linemen.

North Andover, Massachusetts four-star tackle Zak Zinter committed on May 16. 247Sports’ No. 3 player in the state, Zinter has all the tools of a multi-year starter. With Notre Dame hard on the trail, Don Brown and Ed Warinner did an excellent job of sealing the deal.

Three months prior to Zinter’s commitment, Michigan football received a verbal from Baltimore, Maryland three-star Micah Mazzccua. A top-65 tackle nationally, Mazzccua unofficially visited Ann Arbor on February 16 and committed nine days later. At 6-foot-5, 289 pounds, he sizes up favorably with Zinter (6-foot-6, 300).

While these two have given Michigan football a solid foundation on the offensive line, the work is far from done for the Maize and Blue.

Thanks to the NCAA adding a second, earlier official visit period last year, Michigan will be hosting at least 12 players on official visits beginning on Friday. The recruiting dead period runs from June 24-July 24, so this is a prime opportunity to get the most coveted recruits on-campus.

Among the 12 known visitors, three are offensive lineman. All three rank among the top-35 at their position. We’ll take a look at these prospects and the likelihood of Michigan landing them.

Broken Arrow, OK 4-star guard Andrew Raym

As good of a run-blocker as there is in this class, Michigan offered Raym on May 23, 2018. Originally committed to Oklahoma, he elected to open his recruitment back up last summer. After months of trying, Michigan finally got him on campus for an unofficial visit earlier this month. Fresh off a visit to Georgia on June 14, it appears that Oklahoma, Michigan and Georgia are the four-star’s top-three schools. My gut feeling is he ends up with the Sooners after all.

Littleton, CO 4-star tackle Andrew Gentry

The No. 1 player in the state of Colorado, Gentry would be a massive get for Michigan football. Massive is an accurate description for his size, too. Standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 310 pounds, Gentry is the type of big-bodied tackle that Ed Warinner prefers. He is impressively quick for his size, allowing him to get downfield on blocks. Although programs such as Notre Dame and UCLA are still in the mix, it appears that it is down to Michigan and BYU in the battle for his commitment. Due to the proximity and his appearance in the Polynesian Bowl, the Cougars might have the upper hand.

San Juan Capistrano, CA 3-star tackle Jeffrey Persi

Like Gentry, Persi is the textbook definition of an offensive tackle prospect. At 265 pounds, there is plenty of room for him to grow into his 6-foot-7 frame. He is not as polished as Gentry, and his recruiting ranking reflects that. 247Sports has him as the No. 35 tackle recruit in the class. The potential, however, is undeniable. Looking at the three players highlighted here, Persi is the one I feel the best about Michigan landing.

Speed kills, but games are often won and lost in the trenches. Michigan football is off to a good start in the 2020 class, and the opportunity is there to make it even better.

A big recruiting weekend awaits.

For the latest on Michigan football recruiting, follow Teddy Rydquist on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.