The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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26 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2017 BY JOHN BORTON E rik Magnuson, Kyle Kalis and Ben Braden spent a collec- tive 15 years in the Michigan football program. They made a combined 117 starts, bridging the transition from Brady Hoke to Jim Harbaugh. Now they're gone, and the Wolver- ines are looking to reload in a hurry. Complicating matters is the fact that a new starter in 2016, sophomore left tackle Grant Newsome, succumbed to a major knee injury early in the Big Ten season and may not be ready to go for 2017, despite his defiant tweets. That's not to say Michigan finds it- self starting over up front. It's clearly not. There are three major building blocks to pencil into the starting lineup at some position in 2017: • Mason Cole, Sr., C — Cole went from freshman starter at left tackle to old man of the group in a whirlwind. The 6-5, 305-pounder successfully made the transition from left tackle to center in 2016, starting all 13 games there while bringing his career total to 38 in a row. The question now becomes, does he move back or stay put? Arguments for keeping him at center are obvious. He proved strong at making calls, spearheading a line that helped the Wolverines average 40.3 points per game. He handles the football well and doesn't make many mistakes. In addition, Cole will likely be a center at the next level, and can help Michi- gan and himself by remaining at the pivot. The flip side involves whether or not Michigan has a sufficient op- tion at left tackle. Newsome recently tweeted out an image of The Termi- nator with the message "I'll be back," and even Harbaugh made comments about how he expects the talented left tackle to play again. Whether it could be this fall is another matter. Redshirt junior Juwann Bushell-Be- atty drew one start at left tackle after Newsome went down and played in eight games overall on the offensive line in 2016. He'll get a long look in the spring as well, but could end up at right tackle, with 6-5, 291-pound redshirt sophomore Nolan Ulizio coming on and expecting to make a bid on the left side. The answer could also come from the freshman class, but the best frosh might be early entry center Cesar Ruiz. If that's the case, Ruiz might make a case for Cole helping out elsewhere. • Ben Bredeson, So., LG — Brede- son is another potential option at left tackle, although he noted during bowl practices he prefers guard, and the 6-5, 310-pounder made eight starts there in 2016. He gives the Wolverines another experienced performer to flank Cole, barring a shakeup in the lineup. Bredeson played in all 13 Michigan games as a true freshman, and should benefit mightily from the experience and a full year in U-M's strength and conditioning program. The Foot- ball Writers Association of America Freshman All-American should make a strong move in his second season with the Wolverines, his first step and power turning heads on the field. • Michael Onwenu, So., RG — Start with the fact that he's 6-3 and 350 pounds, and can move well for someone of his incredible size. Add to that the fact that Onwenu performed in nine games as a true freshman, see- ing time on both the offensive and defensive lines. Those items on the checklist put On- wenu in a very strong position to help out the Wolverines up front, and the help appears most needed on the of- fensive side of the football. With Cole 2017 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW Revamped Road Graders Exit Of Fifth-Year Seniors Makes For A New Look Up Front