For our Position Breakdown series, we will look at each position group for Michigan Football as we head toward fall camp.
How does the current depth chart shake out? What are the storylines or things you should watch heading into the spring and, eventually, the season? What's the X factor, whether it's a player, coach, or situation, that could change how the group looks?
Let's talk about the big guys up front.
POSITION BREAKDOWN SERIES
Wide Reciever
Tight End
Offensive Line
Defensive Tackle
Linebacker
Cornerback
DEPTH CHART
WHAT'S THE STORY?
Talent, depth, and a cohesive group have been the keys to success in the last few seasons and will be the goal in 2024. Despite having five new starters, this group does have experience on the field and in the system.
Myles Hinton began the year as the starting right tackle and rotated with the unit at the end of the season. He also brings multiple years of experience from his time starting at Stanford. Hinton must find the confidence and consistency to become the dominant left tackle this staff thinks he can be.
At right tackle, Andrew Gentry and Jeffrey Persi are battling. Gentry is a former top 100 recruit entering his third year in Ann Arbor after taking a two-year mission trip out of high school. Gentry is not only back in football shape, he is at a peak. The 23-year-old played at every position in mop-up duty last year, showing his athletic ability. But he was built to play tackle, which should happen this season.
Jeffrey Persi is an underrated player who has a career start at Michigan. He figures to be in the tackle battle, but he took snaps at right guard last season. He could be the 6th OL, which plays a major role in this offense.
Michigan returns Giovanni El-Hadi at guard. Last season, he likely starts on nearly every other team in college football. Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter came back in 2023, blocking his path to the starting gig. El-Hadi has been very good in limited action, and now, after waiting his turn, he should get his first starting gig.
Michigan went to the portal for an offensive lineman for the third straight season with Northwestern guard Josh Priebe. Like El-Hadi, Priebe has played left guard throughout his career, so one must move over to the right, which is most likely El-Hadi.
Greg Crippen has been the assumed starter at center for quite some time, arguably going back to last season when he pushed Drake Nugent. However, Raheem Anderson is battling Crippen to get the starting job. It will be interesting to see who wins out.
X FACTOR
Depth.
Kirk Campbell candidly shared recently that Michigan feels they are 7 deep right now, with the 7 players mentioned as competing for starters. Last season, Michigan felt they were 9 or 10 deep and really wants to find an 8th and 9th capable contributor for the line this year.
As important as the starters are, Michigan's offensive line has been strong in recent years thanks to depth. Rotations, injuries, jumbo sets, the Wolverines always use more than five offensive linemen in a season. And frankly, as we saw last year, those who begin the year as a starter may not end that way. Especially with a group that doesn't have a lot of starting experience.
Where that depth comes from is the question.
At tackle, Tristan Bounds and Evan Link bring size and time in the system. Neither has had the opportunity to play much, but a strong fall camp from either one could elevate their chances.
At guard, Nathan Efobi was thought to be pushing El-Hadi at one point and could easily be the depth piece Michigan is looking for. Dominic Giudice consistently gets praise from the staff and should not be counted out either.
Michigan brings in a super-talented freshman group that includes Andrew Sprague, Blake Frazier, Jake Guarnera, Luke Hamilton, and Ben Roebuck. It is difficult to see a freshman breaking into a two-deep or making serious contributions on the O-line in year 1, but this is a talented group.
---
Discuss this article with our community on our premium message boards
Not a subscriber to Maize & Blue Review? Sign up today to gain access to all the latest Michigan intel M&BR has to offer
Follow our staff on Twitter: @JoshHenschke, @Berry_Seth14, @TrevorMcCue, @DennisFithian, @BrockHeilig, @JimScarcelli, @lucasreimink
Subscribe to our podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify
Check out Maize & Blue Review's video content on YouTube
Follow Maize & Blue Review on social media: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram
---
Discuss this article with our community on our premium message boards
Not a subscriber to Maize & Blue Review? Sign up today to gain access to all the latest Michigan intel M&BR has to offer
Follow our staff on Twitter: @JoshHenschke, @Berry_Seth14, @TrevorMcCue, @DennisFithian, @BrockHeilig, @JimScarcelli, @lucasreimink, @JaredHalus
Subscribe to our podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify
Check out Maize & Blue Review's video content on YouTube
Follow Maize & Blue Review on social media: Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram
