{"id":72606,"date":"2025-02-26T13:30:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T18:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=72606"},"modified":"2025-02-26T11:44:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T16:44:01","slug":"michigan-spring-ball-position-battles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2025\/02\/26\/michigan-spring-ball-position-battles\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Spring Ball Position Battles"},"content":{"rendered":"

Out With The Old, In With The New<\/h2>\n

Or so the saying goes. We’ve previously discussed<\/a> who might emerge as Michigan football’s next generation of leaders and best. That discussion precluded incoming freshmen and transfers, two talent sources that will invariably make their mark on this Fall’s depth chart and starting lineup. As such, it’s worth revisiting the conversation in the context of the upcoming spring position battles as the Wolverines gear up to retake the field.<\/p>\n

We’ll skip over the quarterback battle, which we dug into in greater detail<\/a> last week. Instead, let’s start elsewhere on offense.<\/p>\n

Offensive Line: Is\u00a0Any<\/em> Starter Set?<\/h3>\n

Sherrone Moore and Grant Newsome’s unit significantly dipped last year after soaring through the 2021-2023 seasons. They lost program legends Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan, plus mercenary center Drake Nugent. Regression was to be expected. Right tackle was the surprise crater, where Evan Link<\/a> struggled all year.<\/p>\n

In short, the entire line needs a re-set. They’ll have to find a way to do so using some of last year’s pieces, as Link, Gio El-Hadi, and Greg Crippen will be penciled in as starters from the jump. Their seats will still be hot, as there’s competition gunning for their spots. Tackle Andrew Sprague<\/a> started in the bowl game against Alabama and did well considering the circumstances. You can pencil him in as well.<\/p>\n

Prized tackle recruits Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood aren’t necessarily college-ready<\/a>, but their ceilings are vast enough that Newsome may let one (or both) take their lumps as freshmen in preparation for sophomore-year leaps. The coaching staff loved Jake Guarnera<\/a> as a center recruit. He presumably learned the ropes during his redshirt freshman year. If Crippen can’t firmly entrench himself as the starter, Guarnera could pip him for the spot.<\/p>\n

El-Hadi is probably the most secure lineman here, but the other guard spot appears wide open. Redshirt sophomore Nathan Efobi is the most athletic option. Road grader Luke Hamilton and FCS up-transfer Lawrence Hattar (Ferris State) will get a crack at it as well.<\/p>\n

Additional Players To Watch: Brady Norton (Cal-Poly Transfer), and redshirt freshman Blake Frazier.<\/p>\n

Tight End: A Bevy Of Options<\/h3>\n

Colston Loveland is a likely first-round pick in the upcoming draft, and replacing him will require all hands on deck. The Wolverines luckily have a talented and capable committee in the tight end room.<\/p>\n

Options 1A and 1B here are Marlin Klein<\/a> and Hogan Hansen, respectively. Last year the two took turns admirably filling in for Loveland, who spent multiple stretches sidelined by injury. They have similar statures, both standing about 6-foot-5 and around 240 lbs. Klein is an athletic marvel from Germany whose speed and strength offer an enticing package. Hansen was able to make his mark early, especially as a freshman blocker. He played in a Wing-T offense as a high schooler, which gave him a leg up when preparing for his run-blocking responsibilities at the next level.<\/p>\n

The two will likely split snaps early on, but either could easily pull away from the pack with a standout spring session.<\/p>\n

Behind them are three more similarly-built, highly-ranked prospects in various stages of their Michigan careers. Brady Prieskorn has the highest ceiling, with athleticism like Klein and receiving potential like Loveland. Deakon Tonielli<\/a> and Zack Marshall<\/a> haven’t yet been able to find consistent snaps, but both have pedigrees that suggest they’ll be contributors sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

The other ‘tight end’ spot is also nominally the fullback spot and has fewer question marks. Team captain and blocker extraordinaire Max Bredeson<\/a> will continue to hold it down there. Keep an eye on Jalen Hoffman and freshman Eli Owens to see who locks down the backup spot behind Bredeson.<\/p>\n

The Secondary: Putting The Right Pieces Together<\/h3>\n

The Wolverines will say farewell to lots of talent and depth on the backend. Cornerback Will Johnson is ticketed for the top 10 in the Draft. One-year rental corner Aamir Hall is out of eligibility, as are safeties Quinten Johnson, Wesley Walker, and program stalwart Makari Paige.<\/p>\n

Despite all this, position coach LaMar Morgan still has a promising, talented depth chart to sort. Various starters and contributors return, including cornerbacks Zeke Berry<\/a> and Jyaire Hill<\/a>, and hard-hitting safety Brandyn Hillman<\/a>. Perhaps most importantly, cerebral safety Rod Moore looks set to return from a devastating knee injury.<\/p>\n

Moore is the key to keeping the defense on track. Wink Martindale struggled to find a capable replacement for former star nickel Mike Sainristil until figuring out Paige could shoulder the responsibility late last year. If Moore can fill that all-important spot on the defense, he can be the field general Michigan needs to line his teammates up and stay one step ahead of opponents.<\/p>\n

The two-deep boasts plenty of talent, which bodes well for positional rotation and possible injury. Incoming transfers Caleb Anderson<\/a> (Louisiana) and TJ Metcalf<\/a> (Arkansas) are proven commodities. They’ll benefit from improved coaching. Former Spartan Jaden Mangham is a promising athlete who’s now had a year to learn Martindale’s system. Sophomore cornerback Jo’Ziah Edmond<\/a> has plenty of untapped potential to explore.<\/p>\n

The big challenge for Morgan will be balancing playing time for such a deep room. Keep an eye on this depth chart as the off-season progresses.<\/p>\n

Other Positions Of Note<\/h3>\n