Michigan O-line takes major hit after another transfer portal departure

Michigan football fans were hoping that new head coach Kyle Whittingham was going to be able to keep the Wolverines roster together, but after the first two days of the transfer portal being open, things aren't exactly going well.

The Wolverines saw several starters enter the transfer portal on Friday. Some departures were expected, but the first that was unexpected came on Friday night, as redshirt freshman offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, who projected as a multi-year starter, entered the portal.

That was a bit shocking. What's even more shocking is that projected starting center, Jake Guarnera, who could have been Michigan's starting center for the next three seasons, has also entered the transfer portal, via Pete Nakos, with a no-contact tag just like Sprague.

That means both players know where they are going and unlike Cole Sullivan, who is also in the portal, the door isn't open for them to come back.

Michigan O-line takes major hit in the transfer portal

It doesn't make much sense. Michigan football just hired one of the best offensive line coaches in the country, Jim Harding; however, Grant Newsome won't be retained, which could be a reason for these departures.

Losing Sprague was one thing. Guarnera hurts much worse. There were other starting tackle options. Michigan doesn't have another center on the roster ready to go. Guarnera, like Sprague, earned some All-Big Ten honors this season. Both felt like future First-Team All-Big Ten players.

With Evan Link, Blake Frazier, Andrew Babalola, and Ty Haywood, there are some solid options at tackle. Brady Norton is another. But at center, the Wolverines will need to find a replacement to the portal, which won't be easy.

On the defensive line, another potential starter is out, too. Enow Etta, who had 13 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss in 13 games last season. That's 15 players total who have left, including four starters from last season.