The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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APRIL 2017 THE WOLVERINE 27 flanked by Bredeson and Onwenu, Michigan could field a very strong (and big) line up the middle. Again, that means finding suitable options on both ends of the offensive line. Onwenu appears destined for guard regardless, and he enters spring foot- ball with strong expectations of secur- ing a spot in the lineup. From there, the projections grow a little more dicey. Ulizio has generated some buzz with his performances in bowl practice and how he executed behind the scenes last fall. He could potentially start spring practice as the No. 1 left tackle. Such a development would mark a big step toward rising up and making a bid for a job in the fall. Ulizio got into three games last fall, including action at left tackle in the blowout win over Rutgers. Pat Kugler is back as a fifth-year senior, and is thoroughly grounded in Michigan's system under offensive co- ordinator Tim Drevno and Harbaugh. Kugler started the season opener last fall against Hawai'i and has appeared in 10 games overall for the Wolverines. Jon Runyan is 6-4 and 304 pounds, and another redshirt sophomore ready to battle for action in 2017. He's yet to see the field, but will get a chance to show how far he's come this spring. Jon Jansen knows a little about of- fensive line play, the two-time Michi- gan captain and two-time All-Ameri- can right tackle helping the Wolverines to a national title in 1997. Now a part of Michigan's radio broadcast team, Jansen insists Cole is the key to the line and having him stay put would be the way to go, if possible. "Ideally, you would keep him at center," Jansen said. "He's the guy who can direct everybody and get ev- erybody going in the right direction. That would be perfect for him and for the offensive line. "Ben Bredeson played well, played better throughout the year and learned a lot." Those are the two locks, Jansen noted, and Newsome represents a third — if he's healthy. Some were shocked to hear he could be back this year, following the devastating injury he suffered. With spring practice bear- ing down, though, it was obvious Newsome isn't being counted out for the fall. "You look at the other three posi- tions that are going to be open, and we still have hope that Newsome will make a full recovery and play," Jansen said. "If he can, that's great. Now all of a sudden, you've got a guy you didn't think was going to be there and he is, and you've got some experience. "Now you're only filling two spots. I really think one of those spots is go- ing to be filled by a true freshman. Now who that's going to be, I don't know. Cesar Ruiz is obviously highly touted and watching his film in high school, he's a terrific player. Maybe he takes that center position and Mason Cole plays another spot." If Cole remains at center, but Ruiz proves to be one of Michigan's top five linemen, the freshman could get some on-the-job training very close to the Wolverines' veteran center, Jansen mused. "It's one of those deals where you have to wait until spring — and more so like last year, wait until training camp — because not all of those young guys are early enrollees," Jansen said. "There's a huge question mark. You've got pieces to the puzzle. Now it's a matter of what that puzzle is going to look like when they're done putting it together. "Those guys that are playing that center/guard position, if you can keep Mason Cole at center and maybe Ce- sar Ruiz plays guard for a year, that's a little bit interchangeable. Now when you bump out to tackle, that's a whole different animal. Hopefully, they can find two bookends that can block for the run and protect the passer, then they can start playing with parts in- side. "It's the chicken-or-the-egg scenario. Do you keep Mason Cole at center and build around him, or put him at one of the bookends and try and build from the inside out?" Drevno, who doubles as the Wol- verines' offensive line coach, hasn't hesitated to start true freshmen in his career, including Bredeson last year. The Wolverines will feature five rook- ies — including Ruiz, who is on cam- pus, taking classes and working out in anticipation of spring football. Chuck Filiaga, out of Texas, won't arrive until summer, but he's another beefy (6-6, 340) frosh who could carve out some early time at a tackle spot. There's no doubt it's a transition year for the Wolverines' offensive line. Cole is the only carryover full-time starter from last year's opener against Hawai'i, and he could potentially wind up in a different position when Michigan hits the field at Cowboys Stadium versus Florida. This position group goes under the microscope beginning March 24 and will remain there even while the Wolverines travel overseas to practice in Rome come late April. There's op- portunity, but there's also uncertainty, some that could linger well into fall camp. ❏ Senior Mason Cole will return to lead the U-M offensive line, although it is not known at this point if he will remain at center, where he started all 13 games last year. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL U-M All-American Jon Jansen "I really think one of those [starting] spots is going to be filled by a true freshman. Now who that's going to be, I don't know. Cesar Ruiz is obviously highly touted."