If all goes according to plan, Michigan football could be adding not just one, but two players to the offensive line who started for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game.
In the days after Notre Dame lost to Ohio State, a slew of offensive linemen entered the transfer portal. Some of them were reserves, but there were surprises, as two starters from the national title game entered the portal.
One of those is Rocco Spindler, who was a starting guard for Notre Dame this season. The former top-100 recruit was one of the top players in the state of Michigan in the 2021 recruiting class and started 23 games for Notre Dame over four seasons.
Spindler started 13 games this season for Notre Dame but didn't win the job out of fall camp. That might be why he entered the portal. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder was recruited hard by Michigan football before eventually choosing Notre Dame.
Sherrone Moore wasn't the offensive line coach then and there doesn't appear to be any hard feelings. Michigan football is in contact with Spindler, according to a report from Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider and he would be a perfect fit.
The Wolverines need the offensive line to be better in 2025. Lawrence Hattar was added from Ferris State, but he won't be able to take part in spring practice, and adding a starter from Notre Dame isn't an opportunity the Wolverines can pass on.
However, Spindler isn't the only Notre Dame transfer of interest to Michigan football. Pat Cooglan, the starting center for the last 13 games, also entered the transfer portal. Like Spindler, he wasn't a starter to open the season but played well at center.
Notre Dame transfer could upgrade Michigan football offensive line
The Wolverines have welcomed back Greg Crippen and Giovanni El-Hadi -- two players who started last season but were underwhemling. It's possible they bounce back this season but adding more competition is never a bad thing. Spindler and Cooglan are both proven players too with one year left of eligibility.
According to EJ Holland of The Wolverine, Michigan is interested in Cooglan too, who could be viewed as an upgrade for the center position. I'd also love to see the Wolverines target a Notre Dame transfer at wide receiver such as Jayden Thomas.
It's good to see the Wolverines being aggressive and with Spindler especially, U-M feels like a no-brainer.