2023 OL better than 2022?
Michigan did it once. Improving on a Joe Moore award winning line. 2022 being better than 2021’s Oline. Can they do it again? I say yes.
LT where it will be decided. Henderson vs Hayes. I’d call it a wash but if Henderson is better there’s no doubt the ‘23 line is better
LG Keegan back and improved. If healthy no doubt better
C The only position Michigan takes a hit. No way they improve on Olu. But I think they’ll be better than Vastardis considering the three way competition.
RG Zinter back. See Keegan
RT No doubt better. Let the battle begin between Barnhart, Jones and Hinton.
Not only that, an improved Persi, El-Hadi, Raheem and Crippen and the two losers of the RT battle as depth. The ‘23 line will be better than ‘22.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^
A long-proven recipe for football success:
Build from the inside out on both sides of the ball
...is now coupled with the newest college success formula: retain your players thru the proper use of NIL funding.
Let's hope this combo approach results in a continuous reign as the premier football program in Michigan and in the Big Ten, a third straight win over the evil empire down south, and finally, playoff success.
I, for one, believe it will!
January 16th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
I know it is a very big stretch to make but you can draw some parallels from the upcoming 2023 Michigan squad to the Joe Burrow-led LSU team from a few years ago.
Michigan is going to be an upper-classman laden team with talent all over the place. Dangerous young WRs. Strong QB. Lots to like about this team heading into the season.
Just gotta put it all together and don't let their power go to their heads like it did against TCU.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:47 PM ^
With next year's offense, the sky is literally the limit. They SHOULD be able to score a lot on anybody. To me, it comes down to play calling. The coaches need to fully turn loose JJ. Put in designed runs with lots of RPO. Spread the ball around better and not try and hammer the ball into stacked D's as much. And for God's sake - throw some screens to Blake and use his talent in the open field.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
The last time I felt this good about an offense was Drew Henson's last year in 2000 though we lack a David Terrel, Edwards and Corum in tandem > A Train IMO. Defense in 2023 has to be better than 2000 because I am not living through another 54-51 Northwestern debacle like that.
January 16th, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^
The WRs have yet to prove they’re all that dangerous.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^
The coaches have yet to allow the WR's to show they're all that dangerous.
January 16th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
For all the hysteria around here on a given day, there's quite a bit of evidence that Michigan is doing lots of clever stuff to take advantage of the emerging environment. I and some other have been super critical OF that environment, but between the portal and inducements to return, there don't look to be too many positions where this year's number 2-3 team in the country isn't going to be a better team next year. I mean, the basic knee-jerk response here many times, whatever the bad news, has been to take Warde out behind the woodshed and shoot him one more time. . .
January 16th, 2023 at 4:20 PM ^
Yes, long proven in football. Hockey as well, a center, goalie, and 2 d's. Baseball, pitcher, catcher, ss, and 2nd basemen. In someway basketball as well. 2 backcourt and a center but the forwards do play a critical part. I would most likely go with hockey on this though.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:27 AM ^
Hard to say. Maybe more talented but bringing in a new center is tough. Olu was special...he is super smart (as most lineman are), but also a quiet leader and built up chemistry with the unit really quickly.
The center position is the QB of the O-line, so we'll see. If nothing else, they'll be able to mash almost everyone on the schedule, but some of the more intricate blocking schemes needed against elite competition may take some time to work out.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:44 AM ^
Olu was just brought in last year so why can’t this year be any different at center if not better. The fact that we are bringing back 3 of the 5 starters is huge and will make this line at least just as good as previous years. Go Blue!
January 16th, 2023 at 7:42 AM ^
Because Olu is that kind of special. Centers like that don’t come along often.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:21 AM ^
I agree. I think it will be a wash because of how important the center position is, and how special Olu was. I would agree the other 4 spots improve. But they may not compensate together for the loss of 1 Olu.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:03 AM ^
My comment was not intended to slight Olu at all. He was amazing last year. I was just commenting to the fact that he was brand new last year, so it is possible to get a new center and he be great for one year. It doesn’t always have to take time which was proven by Olu.
January 16th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
I don't believe he thought you were slighting Olu. And i also believe we will be pretty good at center. What we are saying is that Olu was/is just that good.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
Olu won the Rimington. He's the 3rd Michigan Center to win in the history of the award, which goes back to 2000. We can't plan on being blessed with the best C in the country 2 years in a row. I think they'll be very fine at C in 2023, but it's almost impossible to improve on that position.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
Olu was a once a decade player. Even with all star recruiting and development going forward, he's still a once a decade player. The odds of a slight fall off are 95%, but that may also be a fall from elite to very good; top 3 in the country to top 15. It's also possible to be better in one phase of the game, either pass pro or run - just unlikely both.
January 16th, 2023 at 1:04 AM ^
Isn’t the new center from Stanford, along with Hinton? Shouldn’t that mean he’s smart enough?
January 16th, 2023 at 8:06 AM ^
We will see who starts at center. The Stanford transfers are very good but I believe that Crippen/Anderson/Atterbury, with their knowledge of the offense, will be the front-runners at center.
But yes...the second string of this OL roster would be an upgrade over most any other program's current starters. And so 2024 is going to just be a continuation of stellar play we have been seeing.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:30 AM ^
There is no guarantee any of the transfers start. We had a pretty good line to start with and only lose Hayes and Olu off of it.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
Atteberry*
January 16th, 2023 at 9:07 AM ^
Well, depending on where lies your bar for "elite competition," we may be in luck as by my own definition, Michigan won't face any until November lol.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:36 AM ^
Hard to say. Strength of the OL was definitely the interior. Getting 2/3 of that back is huge. Losing Hayes kinda sucks but as for RT... lets just say I'm glad they are bringing in competition.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:52 AM ^
The interior will again be one of if not the best in the country even without Olu and better than our 21 unit.
The battles at the two T positions will be probably be the most fascinating storyline (alongside the #2 CB) during spring ball and into fall camp.
You legit have at least 5 guys battling out for it (Persi, Henderson, Hinton, Jones, Barnhart). Could Gentry be ready to compete as well or is he still a year away?
And furthermore, you often hear about waning the best 5 guys. What if El Hadi is one of the them - which is a real possibility. Could they be tempted to try Keegan out at T like he wanted to earlier this past season?
I say this with no ill will towards him, but if Barnhart is one of the starters when the season begins I’ll be disappointed.
I do predict that we’re going to lose a body or two via transfer before all is said and done, but that’s fine and the way it goes in 2023. May the best unit emerge.
January 16th, 2023 at 1:49 AM ^
I still hold out hope that Bounds will get into the competition. I've always been intrigued by his unique stature.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:04 PM ^
Why is the world would someone neg me for hoping that one of the reserves improves enough to compete for a starting spot?
January 16th, 2023 at 9:48 AM ^
I forgot about Gentry.
Our depth is better than I can ever remember and I have been watching Michigan Football for a long time.
Our 2nd team this year would be better than half the Big Ten.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:51 PM ^
Haven't heard much about Gentry, which is worrisome. Hopefully, he is still adjusting to college football after all that time away, and after next year will see some significant playing time.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:55 AM ^
23 will probably be slightly better depending on good the winner of the center battle is. My only concern is that we don’t lose too much of our depth to the guys who aren’t starters. Hopefully we are able to keep guys like Persi, Atteberry, Crippen, Barnhart/Jones. We’ve reached the point now where we have damn near 10 viable offensive line starters. A good problem to have.
January 16th, 2023 at 1:25 AM ^
Better? Who knows. Good enough to smash most teams and win the award again? Yup.
January 16th, 2023 at 3:15 AM ^
No man can predict the future
January 16th, 2023 at 5:24 AM ^
Unless it’s predicted in verse.
Two bodies, one head, fields divided in two,
And then to reply to four unheard ones:
Little ones for great ones, clear evel for them,
Lightning at the tower of East Lansing, worse for Columbus
January 16th, 2023 at 5:41 AM ^
If I remember correctly, didn’t they try Zinter at center back in 2021 before finally settling on Vastardis at center and Zinter at Guard?
I wonder if they revisit that option. It would be interesting to know if it was more of a lack in faith in Vastardis before he won the job, or Zinter just wasn’t a fit at center.
January 16th, 2023 at 6:45 AM ^
I think they did revisit it.
Nugent will leave Stanford as a grad student with 2 years of eligibility remaining.
He entered the 2022 season on the Rimington and Outland Trophy watch lists and was voted team captain. Pro Football Focus graded Nugent out as the 4th best run-blocking center in the Pac 12 this last season.
Nugent also possesses one of Harbaugh's favorite traits, NFL bloodlines, with his father Terry playing in the NFL.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:09 AM ^
What about his Uncle Ted? I heard he was a musician and hunter extraordinaire. Maybe we can get him to do a guitar rendition of the National Anthem for a home game.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:33 AM ^
I'd pay to see that. Love that guy, but he has more than a couple screws loose. Absolutely no way to predict what he would do.
January 16th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
Ted Nugent would be a good fit in East Landfill.
January 16th, 2023 at 5:41 AM ^
I'm not sure Keegan and Zinter will be improved, I think they are what they are at this point but who knows 🤷🤷. Overall I don't care if they are better just prove it in the playoffs for once
January 16th, 2023 at 8:12 AM ^
...and make it snappy. Chop, chop.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:23 AM ^
A profound lack of understanding of how these things work. Keegan and Zinter are going to play on Sunday. They will continue to improve for, at least, 3-5 more years..physically, mentally and emotionally. Keegan will turn 23 at the start of next season and Zinter will turn 22 in April. So, these two are just now approaching adulthood from a mental, emotional side-for a male. This stuff matters for playing their positions.
January 16th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
Exactly. Don't most professional athletes peak somewhere between 26 and 32? They have quite a few years to develop physically and mentally.
January 16th, 2023 at 12:18 PM ^
Odd. "Monkey House" is, in my mind, a good way to describe the offensive play calling and gameplan for the first half against TCU. I don't fault the OL or other players for that first half shitshow.
January 16th, 2023 at 6:11 AM ^
Having 3 returning starters and solid depth is good, but I gotta see how that C battle plays out. Olu’s pulling and subtle hook blocks opened up a lot of big plays.
January 16th, 2023 at 6:15 AM ^
The big question is whether the starters can stay healthy. Keegan missed a lot of time last year, so having him around would be an improvement.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
Synergy is critical to good OL play but, physically, Michigan can go 3 deep at every position without hardly missing a beat.
January 16th, 2023 at 6:50 AM ^
Prediction: In the second half of games next year Harbaugh is going to introduce his 9-1-1 offense. T-G-C-G-T in the core. Two tackles on either side. Orji in the shotgun position along with the winner of the weekly 10-yard dash for fat guys. Alex and the back will collectively identify the weakest spot in the defense just after the nine blockers engage and hit it with some serious momentum.
Defenses will recall TCU's success and counter with a 7-4 but it won't matter. Also, Orji will throw a few trick passes to the peripheral tackles. Look forward to several 20-play, 80+-yard drives and a few fat-guy TDs where the tackle gets loose.
January 16th, 2023 at 7:17 AM ^
Crippen has been sitting in on the OL meetings for two seasons now, absorbing all that Moore mojo. Before the Nugent transfer it was all but official he was the 2023 center. I don't know that Nugent has that job nailed down, at least not yet.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:09 AM ^
Hoping Drake Nugent and Raheem/Crippen can solidify the center position because the rest looks loaded. Nugent may be a Mark Stepnoski type (from the famous Dallas line) who though undersized could tagteam block and shed to the second level easier than someone bigger. Hoping. Likely the intelligence is there and needed at that vital position.
January 16th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^
Not better. We may never have G-C-G combo as good as last year. Having a center as smart and experienced with the strength to move people is very rare and both guards are elite. That said, we might have our best center since Molk not counting Olu.
LT will not be as good as last year either. The top candidates are mostly G/Ts or RTs and not LT shaped like Hayes was. Persi and Bounds are LT shaped but likely aren’t ready to play at Hayes level yet.
The line will be better than 2021 but not better than 2022.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:02 AM ^
Persi already has three seasons behind him. If he's not ready next fall he'll arguably never be ready. (I think he did fine this year and would be comfortable having him as the LT.) Bounds will be a third-year player, so we should get some indication if he'll ever be starter material.
January 16th, 2023 at 9:05 AM ^
I think Henderson moves out to LT. Might be a little drop the first few games, but he'll get there...