The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/798849
28 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2017 2017 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW. OFFENSIVE LINE PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN BY THE NUMBERS 4 N u m b e r o f t i m e s M ichigan failed to s co re 3 0 o r m o re points in a game be- hind its veteran offen- sive line in 2016. 16 C a r e e r s t a r t s b y Michigan offensive linemen not named M a s o n C o l e. C o l e has more than twice those all by himself with 38, underscoring the youth of Michi- gan's offensive line for 2017. 22 Sacks given up by the Wolverines in 2016, No. 40 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten behind Illinois (by two sacks). 54 Number of combined career starts by Michi- gan's returning offen- sive linemen. 212.9 Rushing yards aver- aged per game by the Wolverines behind last year's blockers. WHO'S GONE ERIK MAGNUSON Magnuson earned the Hugh R. Rader Award last season as Michigan's best offensive lineman, as well as garnering first-team All-Big Ten honors. KYLE KALIS Kalis racked up 43 starts in his time with the Wolverines, earning AFCA second-team All- America honors and second-team All-Big Ten notice in 2016. BEN BRADEN Braden also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2016, finishing up his career with 36 starts for the Wolverines. WHO'S BACK SENIOR MASON COLE Cole should easily be the leader of the line, following his 38 consecutive starts and second-team All-Big Ten distinction in 2016. SOPHOMORE BEN BREDESON Starting as a true freshman didn't phase Brede- son, who earned Freshman All-America honors and played in all 13 games for the Wolverines, making eight starts at left guard. SOPHOMORE MICHAEL ONWENU Onwenu is another freshman from 2016 who laid the foundation for a strong career, seeing the field in nine games on both sides of the line. TOP NEWCOMERS FRESHMAN CESAR RUIZ The nation's top prep center from 2016 could have plenty to say about the makeup of Michi- gan's 2017 offensive line, especially after arriving in January. FRESHMAN CHUCK FILIAGA Filiaga possesses the size (6-6, 340) and just happens to perform at a position of great need (offensive tackle), which could allow him to chal- lenge early. FRESHMAN JA'RAYMOND HALL At 6-5 and 272 pounds, Hall will be looking to add some weight over the next few months after enrolling early at Michigan. Mason Cole, Sr., C — 38 starts, 38 games played. Ben Bredeson, So., G — Eight starts, 13 games played. Grant Newsome, Jr., OT — Six starts, 10 games played. Juwann Bushell-Beatty, R-Jr., OT — One start, 11 games played. Pat Kugler, 5th-Sr., G — One start, 10 games played. Michael Onwenu, So., G — No starts, nine games played. Nolan Ulizio, R-So., OL — No starts, three games played. "Even if you have a veteran group, they're going to be better in week six than they are in week one. And Ben Bredeson is not a vet- eran guy. He's still a young guy. He'll be a veteran in terms of playing experi- ence, but he's still learning as well." — U-M All-American Jon Jansen EXPERIENCE QUOTABLE POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH Right tackle looks like the mys- tery spot on this line going into spring ball. Erik Magnuson has had it locked down ever since Jim Har- baugh arrived in town, and now it's as wide open as it has been in a long time. There are veterans in Bushell- Beatty and Ulizio who are aching to get fully into the action, as well as a rookie like Filiaga who, with a strong summer and fall camp, could put himself in position to challenge. Or, someone else could rise up and turn heads at that spot. Regardless, it's open for someone who hasn't played extensively to make a claim — perhaps a long- term one. — John Borton BEN BREDESON