The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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[ O F F E N S I V E L I N E ] 88 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW battling through to help his team. Though not the most gifted athlete, the 6-3, 296-pounder has a high IQ and has been part or the program so long that he knows ex- actly what he's doing, Jansen praised. That's a quality that comes only through playing. "He's just got the most experience, the most knowledge," Jansen said. "You get to a point where you have a sixth-year center where he may not have some of the physi- cal attributes you'd like to have, but he sure does make up for it in knowing where to be and getting everybody going in the right direction. That really is going to be the big deal this year, because you had so many guys last year get experience — now, what are you going to do with that experience? How does that benefit you this year? "Having a guy at center that is as smart as Vastardis … that's why I think he'll be a big asset." Backups Reece Atteberry and Greg Crip- pen — a four-star freshman that enrolled early — are better athletes, but they're still learning the position. They'll have a chance to make a move with great summers and fall camps, but for now, Vastardis appears to be the favorite to start for a second straight year. "He might be limited physically in some things he can do, but you never have to worry about a center/quarterback ex- change," Jansen noted. "You can do things with the snap count when you've got a cen- ter like that, so it gives the offense an advan- tage. He was great at that last year. "One of his biggest assets is going to be his experience, not just with the of- fensive line, but you're going to have a young quarterback in there, whether it's Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy, or both throughout the year." Texas Tech transfer quarterback Alan Bowman, too, could use a veteran in front of him if he were to win the job, given he'll be learning a new system. But there's no guarantee Vastardis will start in the middle. Harbaugh said only three players — Zinter, Stueber and redshirt sophomore left tackle Ryan Hayes — had solidified No. 1 status at their front-line positions coming out of spring ball. As for the backups in the middle, Crip- pen (6-4, 285) has the physical tools at the position and is "definitely going to be strong enough," Jansen said. "It's just a matter that it's such a vital posi- tion to have some experience, and the only way to get experience is to get out there," he added. "To be able to learn, be mentored by a guy like Vastardis, will really help him." The same applies to second-year fresh- man Atteberry. The 6-5, 284-pounder made an impression last year in camp, but he was reportedly set back this spring. "I saw him out there a little bit," Jansen said. "He's got ability, and I think he's got a bright future, too." Hayes showed his two years ago when he started the opener against Middle Tennessee State and played so well he earned offensive player of the game honors. He's since had his highs and lows, and is still trying to get stron- ger, but he's started four games and solidified the left tackle spot this spring. Jansen compared him to a former team- mate of his, Chris Ziemann, a starter on the 1997 championship team with 20 career starts at U-M before embarking on a short NFL career. "He's that guy who's close to being re- ally good, and if he continues to get stron- ger, he could spend some time in the [Na- tional Football] League," Jansen said of the 6-7, 302-pound former tight end. "He's really got good footwork … he's a guy I'd say is going to be solid in there." If he falters at all, there's a redshirt freshman in Karsen Barnhart (6-4, 301) ready to pounce. Barnhart started four games a year ago when Hayes went down, earned offensive lineman of the game hon- ors in the triple-overtime win at Rutgers and plays with a nasty streak. Jansen saw Barnhart playing more right tackle behind Stueber in the spring, but it's clear he's got the ability to play on either side, and maybe even elsewhere. "I think Barnhart is going to be one of those guys that can play any position up front," Jansen said. "I like the way he sets and takes good angles, puts himself in good position. He's just got to continue to work in the weight room and get stronger. "But I would be shocked if we didn't see him at a number of different positions on the offensive line throughout the year until he finds the one that works best for him. That might even be left tackle." Or perhaps left guard, where one of his classmates has made a move. Hayes let slip during a late spring interview that redshirt freshman Trevor Keegan (6-6, 327) had been working with the ones in front of last year's starter, redshirt junior Chuck Fili- aga. While that battle will play out this fall, it's clear Keegan has great upside. His athletic ability is one area in which he might have the advantage over Filiaga given how much it appears the Wolverines want to pull their linemen and get them moving, Jansen said. Keegan moves ex- tremely well for his size. "He looks really good," Jansen said. "He took a lot of reps at that left guard position next to Hayes. They look like they're working well together, and that's not breaking any news. Hayes basically said the same at the end of spring. X-FACTOR X-FACTOR Can left guard and center become a strength? That will be one of the keys to this year's group. Sixth-year senior center Andrew Vas- tardis is solid and knows the offense inside and out, but he struggled against some of the better linemen he faced last year. "Ser- viceable" really isn't good enough at that position in the Big Ten. Veteran Chuck Filiaga has a lot of experience, but he struggled last year. They need more there, whether it's an improved Filiaga, second-year Trevor Keegan or someone else. Sixth-year senior Andrew Vastardis, who's back for more after starting four games in 2020, is in the mix competing for the starting job at center. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN