A new O-line target in transfer portal Michigan football should explore

Michigan football has been active in the transfer portal and the Wolverines have made some key additions so far but they aren't finished. There is still work to do.

Michigan could use some help on the offensive line. The Wolverines also need a cornerback and depending on what Kenneth Grant decides to do, another defensive tackle.

If Grant and Rayshaun Benny come back, along with Damon Payne, the Wolverines would be set on the D-line. They need a starting-caliber corner to step in for Will Johnson while some of the younger recruits develop.

The offensive line might be fine without a transfer but Michigan football would be relying a lot on development. Evan Link, the right tackle last season, struggled as a redshirt freshman, especially in pass protection.

Link improved, especially as a run blocker, but can he take a step forward in pass protection? The Wolverines have a hole at left tackle too, although 6-foot-8 freshman Andrew Sprague could be in line to take over that job.

As Michigan learned last season, relying on a redshirt freshman can be risky. Sprauge was an elite prospect though and there has been positive buzz since he arrived on campus but there was a lot of positive buzz about Link too.

Another O-line target Michigan football should explore

Michigan is targeting Josh Thompson, a tackle from Northwestern, but he's been projected to Tennessee. The No. 2 offensive tackle in the portal, Fa'alili Fa'amoe, also visited Michigan football. U-M is among the top two teams in consideration along with Nebraska, which also hosted him for a visit last week.

Yet, it feels like Nebraska is in a slightly better position. If that's the case, then another name that Michigan should consider in the transfer portal is former Illinois offensive lineman Zy Crisler, who just entered the portal on Thursday.

The 6-foot-6, 350-pounder has been a three-year starter for Illinois. He's started games at right guard and right tackle during his career and was Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2023.

At first glance, Crisler seems a little big for Michigan. They don't have a ton of 350-pounders but they do have some and Myles Hinton was listed in that range last season. Crisler doesn't have any experience at left tackle but if he was able to play right tackle, Michigan football could bump Link inside where he could be an effective player. He's a solid run blocker and without being on an island, his pass protection would be much better.

There's no indication that Michigan football will get involved. But good offensive linemen are hard to find in the transfer portal and if you have a chance to land a three-year starter from a Big Ten program who could play multiple positions, it seems worth at least trying.