The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545685
O F F E N S I V E L I N E M E N 74 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2026 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY JOHN BORTON M ichigan's passing attack — including its pass blocking for rookie quarterback Bryce Under- wood — wasn't where it needed to be a year ago. That affected the entire operation, Michi- gan backs finding themselves running into defenses stacked against the run. New head coach Kyle Whitting- ham addressed hopes for a Michi- gan blocking upgrade this season. He assured he expected to see a quality line. Pressed for why, he didn't talk as much about the raw materials as he did the craftsman putting it all to- gether. "Jim Harding, our offensive line coach — there's no offen- sive line coach in the country better than him at devel- oping talent," Whit- tingham said. "His track record speaks to that. He'll have t wo f i rs t - ro u n d draft choices this year, and so it's in good hands." W h i t t i n g h a m made that state- m e n t p r i o r to the NFL Draft, and he proved dead on. Utah's Spencer Fano OFFENSIVE LINEMEN 65 Andrew Babalola (6-6, 315), So. 60 Brooks Bahr (6-5, 312), Sr. 76 Manuel Beigel (6-5, 312), Jr. 55 Nathan Efobi (6-3, 312), Sr. — Tommy Fraumann (6-8, 265), Fr. 77 Blake Frazier (6-6, 295), Jr. 74 Avery Gach (6-5, 308), So. 53 Jake Guarnera (6-4, 311), Jr. 52 Ace Hamilton (6-3, 295), Fr. 50 Luke Hamilton (6-5, 319), Jr. 67 Houston Ka'aha'aina-Torres (6-3, 300), So. — Malakai Lee (6-7, 350), Fr. 71 Evan Link (6-6, 324), Sr. 70 Brady Norton (6-4, 312), Sr. 54 Andrew Sprague (6-8, 315), Jr. 78 Marky Walbridge (6-6, 285), Fr. [FYI] ❱ In 2025, both Michigan and Utah, where position coach Jim Harding led a strong unit, were semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, presented to the best offensive line in the country. Iowa won the honor, which Michigan has taken home twice since it began in 2015 (2021, '22). ❱ Junior Andrew Sprague, who started 12 games at right tackle last season, graded out as the Wolverines' best offensive lineman in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus, with a 72.6 overall rating. He posted marks of 71.0 in pass protection and 69.9 in run blocking. ❱ Michigan ranked 21st nationally in run blocking (70.9) and tied 71st in pass blocking (67.4) last season, according to PFF. ❱ Sophomore Andrew Babalola, who missed his freshman season with a knee injury suffered in a preseason practice, was a five-star prospect and the nation's No. 16 overall prospect per the Rivals Industry Ranking, making him the program's highest-ranked offensive line recruit of the Rivals era (since 2004). ❱ Jim Harding checked in No. 3 in Roc Boys Football's rankings of the top offensive line coaches in the country, behind only Miami's Alex Mirabal and Notre Dame's Joe Rudolph. Junior Andrew Sprague started all 12 reg- ular-season games at right tackle, earn- ing honorable mention All-Big Ten recog- nition from the coaches and media. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL NEW BLOCKING BOSS Jim Harding Expected To Lead Michigan's O-Line Resurgence Michigan's Ground Game In The Last Five Years Season Rushing Yards Per Game National Rank 2025 210.2 14th 2024 157.2 73rd 2023 169.1 55th 2022 238.9 5th 2021 214.4 15th