The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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10 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2025 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS It's The Offensive Line By Chris Balas The offense goes as the line goes — how many times have we heard that over the years? A lot, and it's because it's true. Michi- gan's men up front were disappointing a year ago, and while much of the blame for last year's abysmal offensive showing was placed on the quarterbacks, they could have been much better had the line been good. It starts with graduate student Giovanni El-Hadi at left guard, who admittedly had a rough season a year ago. He was disappointed in his play at right guard, but he's moved back and is having a very good camp. Fellow grad student Greg Crippen is a veteran at center and needs to be good in the middle, though above average would be better. But the line really hinges on the left tackle and right guard positions. The coaches moved junior Evan Link from right tackle, where he struggled, to left, a pretty big ask given the importance of the position and his pass pro- tection difficulties last season. He's had a good camp, but can he hold up against elite edges? Right guard, meanwhile, really is an un- known. Junior Nathan Efobi has always had the body, and he's had his best camp since he arrived, according to head coach Sherrone Moore and others. Still, he hasn't played much. Line coach Grant Newsome is excited by the progress here, but he was confident before last season. With a freshman likely to start at quarterback, it's important these guys jell early in the season. Road Warriors? By Clayton Sayfie It's been since 1986 that Michigan has played six road games in a season, and the Wolverines won't have consecutive home dates for the first time since 1937. In many ways, this is a unique season, and that in- cludes having a freshman — No. 1 overall recruit Bryce Underwood — as the expected starting quarterback. If Underwood and the Maize and Blue are to have their national championship hopes alive in December and January, U-M will have had to take care of business on the road. Winning in hostile environments starts with packing the defense, and U-M's should be great. But how good, how early, is the ques- tion for that unit, Underwood and, just as important, the offensive line. Michigan coaches seem to be much more confident in the line this season, but it must mesh early and set the tone on the road — beginning Sept. 6 at Oklahoma. In fact, Michigan plays at two of what On3 has rated among the top 25 toughest away venues to play at in September alone — the Sooners' Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium and Ne- braska's Memorial Stadium. The Wolverines went 1-3 in away tilts last season, but won the biggest one, 13-10, at Ohio State to cap it off, which could give the group belief. If Michigan can notch some big victories early on, build confidence and have young players continue to grow, look out. We just might see the Maize and Blue back in the CFP. ❱ POINT ❙ COUNTERPOINT ❰ WHAT IS MICHIGAN'S BIGGEST QUESTION MARK FOR THE 2025 SEASON? • A 14-week prohibition on recruiting communications in the football pro- gram during the probation period. • Connor Stalions: An eight-year show-cause order, restricting him from all athletically related activities during the show-cause period. • Jim Harbaugh: A 10-year show- cause order, restricting him from all athletically related activities during the show-cause period, which will begin on Aug. 7, 2028, at the conclusion of his four-year show-cause order from a previous case. • Former staffer Denard Robinson: A three-year show-cause order, restrict- ing him from all athletically related ac- tivities during the show-cause period. • Sherrone Moore: A two-year show- cause order, during which he is sus- pended from a total of three games. Michigan self-imposed a two-game suspension for Moore during the up- coming 2025 football season (Sept. 13 Central Michigan and Sept. 20 at Ne- braska). The panel determined that a suspension for one additional game was appropriate. Therefore, Moore also will be sus- pended for the first game of the 2026 season, an Aug. 29 matchup with West- ern Michigan. Apart from the three- game suspension, Moore is not prohib- ited from engaging in coaching or other athletically related activities during the show-cause period. Michigan responded quickly with plans to appeal the ruling. "We appreciate the work of the Com- mittee on Infractions," the university said in a statement. "But, respectfully, in a number of instances the decision makes fundamental errors in interpret- ing NCAA bylaws; and it includes a number of conclusions that are directly contrary to the evidence — or lack of evidence — in the record. We will appeal this decision to ensure a fair result, and we will consider all other options." "It is never our intent to be in a posi- tion where we are accused of any rules violations," athletics director Warde Manuel said. "I fully support Coach Sherrone Moore, our student-athletes and staff as they prepare for the sea- son ahead. I appreciate Coach Moore's continued commitment to ensuring his program operates in compliance with applicable rules. "I acknowledge the Committee on In- fractions' decision to not penalize our current student-athletes by eliminating postseason opportunities; however, a postseason ban should never have been a consideration in this case. "I fully support the university's decision to pursue an appeal. Coach Moore and I will not have any further comment." ❑ Offensive line coach Grant Newsome is excited about the progress he's seen with his unit from a year ago, but the Wolverine big men up front will have to prove it on the field for U-M to be successful in 2025. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL