Michigan football fans can feel better about left tackle after key clarification

Size is important when you are an offensive lineman, so it raised some concerns when Michigan football listed Cal-Poly transfer Brady Norton at 6-foot-3, 275 pounds.

The 11-game starter for Cal Poly last season at tackle, earning some FCS All-American recognition, has emerged as a possible starter for Michigan football at left tackle.

Norton, who was also recruited by Ohio State in the transfer portal, played well during the spring for the Wolverines. Yet, some have questioned whether he was big enough to be the left tackle for Michigan football this season.

Norton, speaking on the "In the Trenches Podcast" with Jon Jansen, pushed back on the idea that he's "too small."

“I’m not gonna lie, on the site it says I’m 6-3, 275. They say I’m 6-3, 275 — I’m not 6-3, 275. I’m 6-4 and a half, around 315 right now. They got that all wrong. I see people on Twitter complaining, ‘Oh, he’s only 275. He’s too small!’ No, that was my freshman year at Poly height and weight, when I first got there," Norton said.

Michigan football pushes back on narrative that he's "too small"

That certainly makes me feel better about the idea of Norton as the starting left tackle. I projected him to start in my post-spring depth chart. I assumed he was bigger than the listed height/weight, but it's good to have that clarified.

With Andrew Babalola waiting in the wings, Michigan will have someone to push Norton or Evan Link for the starting job, but offensive lineman usually aren't ready to play right away.

Norton is experienced and has graded out well as a pass protector. We'll see if that translates to the Big Ten. However, Michigan football fans should at least feel better after this update.