Michigan Football: New O-line coach connects with 2022 commitment

Michigan football made a bold and somewhat surprising move when it turned over the offensive line to Sherrone Moore and gave him the title of co-offensive coordinator.

It was an essential move to keep Moore, who is a dynamic recruiter and had other suitors. But it also meant not bringing back Ed Warinner, at least not as a coach on the field and that’s a tough pill to swallow after the way he developed the offensive line in recent years.

Last year, the offensive line didn’t play well, but injuries were rampant and that led to playing some younger guys before they were probably ready.

It will be interesting to see how all that shakes out, especially since the expected starter at center, Zach Carpenter transferred to Indiana.

Yet, one player that could be in the mix for Michigan football down the road on the offensive line is 2022 commitment Connor Jones.

Jones committed to Michigan football last  month about a week or so after the early signing day and Warinner was a huge reason why. Jones is 6-foot-7 and listed at 285 pounds. He’s from Colorado and is ranked 793rd in 2022 overall and 78th among offensive tackles according to the 247 sports composite rankings.

That ranking seems a little low, however, Warinner had a great eye for talent and he’s hit on a number of guys who out-played their ranking or later received a huge boost after committing. One of those guys was Tristan Bounds, who signed with U-M as a four-star recruit in some circles.

Jones has similar type of potential and he has the body type that Michigan football wants in their tackles, unless that drastically changes under Moore.

Judging from his early moves on the recruiting trail it won’t and Jones was one of the top priorities. Here’s what Brice Marich of the Michigan Insider tweeted about Moore and Jones connecting.

Jones said that his conversation with Moore, “Solidifies my decision even more to be a Michigan man.” So that’s definitely a win because you worried if Jones commitment could be in jeopardy with Warinner no longer on the coaching staff.

Of course, when it comes to Moore, the question has never been his ability to recruit, it’s more about taking over the offensive line after previously coaching tight ends.

But as far as holding the commitment of Jones, it looks like Moore has done that.