Michigan Football: Predicting offensive starters after spring ball

O-Line

What the starting five looks like right now after spring and what it will be in Week One could be very different, so here’s a projection.

LT: Ryan Hayes 

Hayes put together a solid spring. He hasn’t spent a full season starting at left tackle before, however, he’s proven he can play the position. The former tight end has the length and athleticism to be pretty solid but he’s not guaranteed to start just yet.

LG: Trevor Keegan

Last season, the running game seemed to improve when Keegan was in the game. He was a tackle in high school but he plays with a mean streak and he is capable of really moving people. He has work to do also, but he’s in a strong spot heading into the fall.

C: Zak Zinter

This is about getting the five best guys on the field and in my opinion, Andrew Vastardis just isn’t one of the five best right now. He’s experienced and he adds value to the roster. But Zinter was playing center in the spring game and snapped for McNamara so there is a comfort there. It also opens up another player to start at guard, which helps U-M play its top five O-lineman.

RG: Karsen Barnhart

Karsen Barnhart wasn’t healthy during spring football but if he was, I’m confident that he would clearly be among the starting five or in contention to be. He’s a guy who can play guard or tackle, which gives him a better chance to get on the field. One way or another, I’d be surprised if he’s not in the starting five to start the season.

RT: Andrew Stueber

Willie Allen was a popular choice to start before spring ball, yet Andrew Stueber, the former starter, appears to be the favorite now. An injury prevented him from starting at tackle during the 2019 season and while he isn’t perfect, he’s versatile and hard to dislodge from the lineup.