Michigan football offensive line coach Grant Newsome met with the media on Monday and I came away from that thinking that the starting five for the fall is essentially set.
Spring ball isn't even over for Michigan football. However, the Wolverines have three players back who started most or all of last season. Andrew Sprague also started in the ReliaQuest Bowl and seemed to lock down his starting job for the 2025 season.
Evan Link starting at left tackle seems to be the big question mark. He struggled at right tackle last season, at least in pass protection, but the former four-star recruit started at left tackle in the bowl game against Alabama, which is where he has been playing this spring, and held up OK.
Michigan football was in the mix for some offensive tackles during the transfer portal window this winter, and the Wolverines could target one in the spring, if one becomes available, but that's hard to predict.
#Michigan OL coach Grant Newsome says they will play the best five regardless of class. Something stressed by Sherrone Moore.
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) March 31, 2025
Adds the first line has been pretty consistent this spring.
Newsome said on Monday that the five best guys will play, regardless of position. Yet, he added that the first line has been pretty consistent this spring, according to Brice Marich.
Newsome also said he was "encouraged" by the performance of Nathan Efobi. The former four-star recruit has been on the rise and is in the mix for a starting job. He's also an offensive lineman who nearly entered the portal, but Michigan convinced him to stay, according to Steve Lorenz of The Michigan Insider, and it looks like that was a smart move.
It appears as though Link will head into the fall as the starting left tackle. Then, Giovanni El-Hadi is playing left guard, with Greg Crippen at center. Ebofi makes sense as the right guard and Sprague is expected to be the starting right tackle.
The Wolverines also have some talented players waiting in the wings. Five-star offensive tackle Andrew Babalola has looked the part this spring, and if Link falters, he will probably get a chance. He's got all the tools, just needs some seasoning.
Ty Haywood is in the same boat. He's also a top-50 overall recruit from the 2025 class, so it wouldn't be shocking to see him on the field early, even at guard. Blake Frazier is another name to know at tackle, yet unless a tackle is added this spring, my bet is on Link, El-Hadi, Crippen, Efobi, and Sprague will be starting this fall.
#Michigan OL coach Grant Newsome says former five-star and freshman OL Andrew Babalola is incredibly smart and gifted. There has been some growing pains going against Derrick Moore and TJ Guy at LT.
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) March 31, 2025
All three freshmen OL on campus have been exceeding expectations thus far.
Newsome said up to eight Michigan football offensive linemen could be in the mix for starting jobs, which is good to hear. He also said all three freshmen offensive linemen (Avery Gach is the other) have "exceeded expectations", so regardless of who starts, the offensive line is in a good spot.