Michigan Wolverines news: A 2025 decommitment, O-line starters finalized, and more

In our latest Michigan Wolverines news roundup, Michigan football suffered a decommitment in the 2025 recruiting class, the O-line is finalized, and more. 

It’s never a good sign when committed prospects start taking visits to other programs. Michigan football recruit Mantrez Walker has done that a few times, including this past weekend.

Now, after an announcement, Walker is no longer a Michigan football commitment, after he posted that he was decommitting from the Michigan Wolverines on Monday night on X.

Walker is a three-star prospect according to the 247 Sports composite rankings and is ranked No. 383 overall in the 2025 class. He’s out of Buford, Georgia, and ever since he was committed, there were questions about whether the Michigan Wolverines would be able to keep his commitment and it turns out, they weren’t able to.

I don’t see it as a huge blow. It’s still early in the 2025 class and while Walker is a solid prospect, it’s not like he’s a top-100 dude. Michigan football needs to keep the commitment of cornerback Chris Ewald, another 2025 pledge. He’s on a different level to me.

Still, Walker decommitting is a bummer for Michigan football. He was a good player from a good program and would have been a solid get.

Michigan football finalizes offensive line starters

Jim Harbaugh spoke with the media on Monday, as he always does, and the Michigan football head coach revealed that the Wolverines have decided on their starting five up front.

Karsen Barnhart and Myles Hinton started each of the first two games at left and right tackle, but Harbaugh confirmed on Monday that those guys would be the starters going forward.

Barnhart isn’t a surprise. He was a starter last season. With him, it was more about finding the right position. Hinton has really turned a corner in recent weeks, and you can tell he has benefited from joining the Michigan football program.

I still expect others to play and as Harbaugh has said, Michigan football has double-digit starters on the offensive line. But Hinton and Barnhart won the job fair and square.

Cool offensive line stat

Speaking of the offensive line, one reason why the Michigan Wolverines probably feel good about their starting five is that Michigan football is one of seven teams to not have allowed a sack so far this season.

Harbaugh talked about how the running game needs to be better on Monday. But when it comes to the passing attack, it’s been incredibly productive and the protection of the offensive line is one reason why J.J. McCarthy has been so good.