The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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36 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2020 2020 FOOTBALL ANALYSIS.. OFFENSIVE LINE BY THE NUMBERS 4 M i c h i g a n o f fe n - sive linemen made at least one of the top three All-Big Ten teams a year ago. 50 G a m e s i n w h i c h Bredeson appeared for the Wolverines over four seasons, in- cluding 46 starts. 166 Combined games in which Michigan's de- parted starters par- ticipated over their careers in Ann Arbor. 851 O f f e n s i v e s n a p s logged by Mayfield last year, of U-M's 905 on the season (94 per- cent). Nobody on the 2020 roster played more last fall. WHO'S GONE Center Cesar Ruiz Ruiz left with a year of eligibility remaining and second- team All-Big Ten honors by conference coaches on his résumé. Pro Football Focus (PFF) dubbed him the best pass- blocking center in the nation while he finished out 36 ca- reer games with the Wolverines and directed U-M up front. Guard Michael Onwenu We may never know how generous Onwenu's listing at 350 pounds was on the Michigan roster, but the 35-game starter for U-M leaves a big hole at right guard. He re- ceived third-team All-Big Ten recognition from conference coaches the past two years. Guard Ben Bredeson Bredeson started for four years at left guard for the Wolver- ines, a two-time team captain who shared the Hugh H. Rader Memorial Award (annually given to Michigan's best offensive lineman) with fifth-year senior tackle Jon Runyan. PFF named Bredeson the best pass-blocking guard in the nation, and he earned first-team All-Big Ten notice from coaches and media. Tackle Jon Runyan Jr. Runyan shared far more than the Rader award with Bredeson. Together, they formed a formidable left side of Michigan's offensive line, a tandem of first-team All-Big Ten performers. Conference coaches made Runyan a first- teamer the past two seasons. WHO'S BACK Redshirt sophomore tackle Jalen Mayfield Mayfield moved in as a starter at right tackle last fall, getting the nod in all 13 Michigan games. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten laurels and will certainly be counted on to lead the way for a host of young perform- ers in their first real taste of game action. TOP NEWCOMER Freshman Zak Zinter The 6-6, 300-pound offensive lineman out of Cambridge (Mass.) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School has the size to contribute early at the college level. Warinner noted on former Wolverine Jon Jansen's podcast the early enrollee has already impressed with his work in the weight room. "There's inexperience, but they're really talented. I'm excited to see this group of young guys. The 2019 group of recruiting guys is going to be special. You put that with Jalen Mayfield, [redshirt junior Andrew] Stueber, [redshirt junior Chuck] Filiaga and [redshirt sophomore Ryan] Hayes, and this is going to be a talented, talented group." — Michigan All-American Jon Jansen QUOTABLE POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH There are several from which to pick here, but the best one might involve filling Bredeson's four-year lockdown at left guard. Mammoth redshirt ju- nior Chuck Filiaga (6-6, 341) will be looking to break through and take the spot, while redshirt freshman chal- lenger Nolan Rumler (6-3, 321) may be ready to rumble as well. BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan returned several starters a year ago, but looks to be nearly start- ing over this year with four veterans erased from the lineup. That always brings new opportunity and renewed competition for several spots. It makes fall camp especially interesting for offensive line coach Ed Warinner's crew, which will have to sort itself out for a schedule that starts on the road with a Power Five foe in Washington Sept. 5. Michigan will open the 2020 campaign with a new face at nearly every position across the line. It's time to gear up for a new look. JALEN MAYFIELD PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN