Michigan Football: Breaking down Wolverines spring roster

We finally got a look at Michigan football’s roster for spring practices and there are a couple of interesting nuggets.

As far as depth charts and updated rosters, Michigan football likes to be coy and doesn’t really do a whole lot of updating.

But, the Wolverines did finally put out a roster for spring football practices and while there aren’t any big surprises, there are some interesting tidbits.

One of the biggest news items about the roster is that Andrew Vastardis, who opened last season as the starting center and was a team captain, is still on it. The 2021 season would be his sixth with the program but the NCAA did allow for that extra year so he’s definitely eligible.

Most assumed that the starting job was going to become a battle between Reece Atteberry and incoming freshman Raheem Anderson, who played the position in high school and is one of the top centers in the country.

But Vastardis would certainly be expected to be in the mix as well. I don’t know if that means he will be the starter. I think he makes more sense as the veteran backup and I think whether it’s Atteberry or Anderson, the talent difference will be hard to overcome.

However, the offensive line is one of those positions where grit, toughness, and experience go a long way. There’s also a new offensive line coach so the depth chart seems to be wide open.

Former 3-star OT moves to defense

Speaking of offensive lineman, the other interesting move had to do with a former three-star signee Jack Stewart, moving from offensive line to defense.

Stewart was ranked in the top 600 as an offensive lineman when he signed with the Wolverines in 2019, but he hasn’t made much noise there so now, he’s on defense and is listed at 6-foot-4, 318 pounds.

Michigan obviously needs more bodies up front and this seems like an attempt to build some depth at defensive tackle. Stewart has the size to possibly be a nose tackle and if he’s tough enough to occupy blockers, he could earn some playing time.

Still, it seems pretty experimental at this point and you don’t see guys move from offensive tackle to defensive tackle very often once they get to college.

We’ll see if this move pays off for Michigan down the road.