Michigan Wolverines spring game confirms Achilles heel for team that could undo the 2025 season before it even begins
Heading into the 2025 season for the Michigan Wolverines, everyone in and around the program knew that this year would be defined by the state of their offensive line. Last year, the offensive line made an already stagnant offense a downright miserable watch with their poor play. If there was any optimism about that changing […]
Heading into the 2025 season for the Michigan Wolverines, everyone in and around the program knew that this year would be defined by the state of their offensive line. Last year, the offensive line made an already stagnant offense a downright miserable watch with their poor play.
If there was any optimism about that changing in 2025, the spring game might have crushed that spark of hope. Michigan's offensive line committed multiple holding penalties and allowed multiple pressures all game long. Now, Michigan's defensive front is talented, so some losses are to be expected. On the other hand, it's a spring game. Getting tossed around frequently is probably not ideal in a vanilla game where the defense isn't throwing much at you.
Sherrone Moore would only name three starters: center Greg Crippen, right guard Giovanni El-Hadi, and right tackle Andrew Sprague. Crippen and El-Hadi started last season and were part of Michigan's woeful performance. Sprague, while young, didn't impress much in his limited playing time.
Sherrone Moore ecstatic about his running backs and offensive scheme following Michigan Wolverines Spring Game
Sherrone Moore excited for his running backs and offensive scheme at Michigan
Perhaps the most worrisome part of this is their uninspiring left tackle battle. Myles Hinton anchored this spot last season at a high level, but with his departure, the blindside protector is a massive hole.
Michigan rotated Evan Link, who struggled at right tackle last season, and freshman Andrew Babalola there at the spring game. Link committed a holding penalty, and both struggled in pass protection throughout the game. There is some thought that FCS transfer Brady Norton might start here to start the season after handling right tackle in the spring game.
This is a significant concern for Michigan, but they have yet to invest much here in either the spring or fall transfer portal, adding just Norton and Ferris State guard Lawrence Hattar out of the portal.
Their lack of consistency up front could be a key reason why the Wolverines seem hesitant to throw Bryce Underwood out early as a freshman behind this offensive line. Michigan will play numerous talented defensive lines all season, including Oklahoma and Ohio State. The last thing they want this season is Underwood picking up bad habits in the pocket, or worse, getting hurt from their lack of protection.
We'll see how Michigan aims to solve this moving forward, but it's a worrying sign for their 2025 hopes.
