The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1473191
THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 77 [ O F F E N S I V E L I N E ] ines' returning starters certainly did check the achievement box a year ago. Hayes (18), Zinter (16) and Keegan (11) have combined for 45 starts in the winged helmets. That experience, paired with the toughness and big-game prowess they've demonstrated, should serve them well, Karsch noted. "Keegan is an underappreciated and undervalued player," Karsch pointed out. "Zinter has a chance to be a high NFL Draft pick. And Hayes impressed me from moment one when he got to Michigan. He had baby fat on him and was still able to compete when he was freshman eligible at the left tackle spot. "That told you how advanced that kid was, before he even felt the effects of a college strength and conditioning program. The ceiling is incredibly high for Ryan Hayes." The Wolverines need a repeat of how healthy they stayed last year, except for one cliffhanger outing. "Last year's line didn't completely avoid the injury bug," Karsch said. "They got [down] to guards three, four and five in the Nebraska game. But for the most part, they stayed healthy. They need to cross their fingers that that's the case again. "At this point, if they stay healthy, part of the deal this year will be starting to develop their replacements. That will be a lot to lose in one offseason, potentially. "Just having that line being as good as it can be is the foundation for everything you do offensively." It has a chance to be better than initially thought — and maybe, like Harbaugh postulated, even better than last year's — because of Oluwatimi's transfer and Jones' emergence. "I've heard nothing but good things about Trente Jones, and Olu dropping out of the sky could be extraordinarily useful," Karsch said. "They should be loaded up front again, yes." It doesn't end there. Senior Karsen Barnhart continues to push for more time. He and sophomore center Greg Crippen will certainly be among Michigan's top backups. "Barnhart and Crippen were considered potential starters and are now depth guys," Karsch noted. "What more could you ask for? Now Michigan rotated some PRESEASON ANALYSIS: STARTERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Fifth-year senior left tackle Ryan Hayes, se- nior guard Trevor Keegan and junior Zak Zinter return from last year's line. The Wolverines got stronger up the middle with the addition of Virginia transfer Olu Oluwatimi, who was a second-team All-American for the Cavaliers in 2021. The right tackle job remains up for grabs with seniors Trente Jones and Karsen Barnhart fighting through spring camp. Jones enters the fall ahead of Barnhart, but both are starting- caliber options. U-M is excited for both. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ U-M has at least one starting-caliber depth piece in whoever is the runner-up for the right tackle job. Sophomore center Greg Crippen is also a player the staff is high on, and he pushed Oluwatimi in spring camp. Junior of- fensive tackle Jeffrey Persi and junior interior lineman Reece Atteberry are seemingly next in line to fill out the reserve group of four. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ There are legitimate reasons to believe that the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line can be even better this year. The argument can be made on paper that they upgraded at center, while the team feels good about its situation at right tackle. Three other starters returning and depth in the form of players on the rise make for a promising combination of top-end talent and role players. This group set the tone last year, and the same will be expected in 2022. [ O F F E N S I V E L I N E ] THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 77 QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Sherrone Moore (2nd year coach- ing the offensive line and co-coordinating the offense, 5th overall at U-M) Returning Starters: LT Ryan Hayes (18 career starts), LG Trevor Keegan (11), RG Zak Zinter (16) Departing Starters: C Andrew Vastardis (18), RT Andrew Stueber (22) Projected New Starters: C Olu Oluwatimi, RT Trente Jones Top Reserves: G Reece Atteberry, G/T Karsen Barnhart, C Greg Crippen, T Jeffrey Persi Wait Until 2023: G Raheem Anderson, T Tristan Bounds, T Giovanni El-Hadi Newcomers: Connor Jones, Alessandro Lorenzetti Moved In: Oluwatimi Moved Out: Chuck Filiaga (transferred to Minnesota) Rookie Impact: N/A. Most Improved Player: Jones. Best Pro Prospect: Oluwatimi. Junior Zak Zinter started 12 games at right guard last season and was named second- team All-Big Ten by the media. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND