Michigan Football: Concentration is on QB, but what about the O-line?

Who else is competing?

It’s anyone’s guess as to the exact position where each man fits but we’re going to take a stab at it.

At tackle, there’s Joel Honigford, a veteran who played in ten games in 2019, and a couple of second-year guys in Trevor Keegan and Trente Jones. Finally, incoming will be Jeffrey Persi from California. Persi is listed at 6-foot-7 but is a little light at 275-pounds.

At guard, Ed has Nolan Rumler and whoever doesn’t win the starting job between Filiaga and Barnhart. Jack Stewart also has potential if he beefs up a bit. Newcomer Zak Zinter is another option.

At center, it’s whoever doesn’t get first team and Reece Atteberry, a native of Colorado. Reece only received three-stars from the recruiting sites despite being selected as a three-time all-state selection and two-time CBS All-American.

Matt’s musings

Quarterbacks don’t win championships without championship level lineman to block for them. One blown block can change the entire trajectory of a game and ruin relationships that can, sometimes, never be mended. A couple of blindside shots to a QB will diminish trust and confidence; this is why reloading four of the five starters is way more of a concern than who will be throwing behind the massive humans battling in the trenches.

With that said, here’s my prediction for the starting five:

Right Tackle: Jalen Mayfield

Right Guard: Andrew Stueber

Center: Andrew Vastardis

Left Guard: Chuck Filiaga

Left Tackle: Ryan Hayes