Sixty percent of Michigan’s offensive line seems set, with senior Mason Cole at left tackle, sophomore Ben Bredeson at left guard and fifth-year senior Pat Kugler at center. Kugler has made great strides, according to teammates, and is has been one of the pleasant surprises of the fall, while the other two should vie for All-Big Ten honors (at least).
But what about the right side? Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson have graduated, making room for some new blood. And there is some experience, at least. Redshirt junior Juwann Bushell-Beatty started transforming his body last year, got in even better shape this summer … and he played quite a bit last year due to injury. He’s an option at right tackle.
Redshirt sophomore Jon Runyan is the most athletic of all the linemen, and he’s worked hard to secure a spot. He’s right there with Bushell-Beatty in the race to start at right tackle, and some believe he’s the leader there.
Right guard was supposed to be a lock, but sophomore Mike Onwenu has been pushed by redshirt freshman Stephen Spanellis and others, while no less than five tight ends are pushing to start the opener against Florida in Arlington, Texas next week (!).
Here’s who we expect to start against the Gators at each of those positions in question:
CHRIS BALAS: All things being equal, go with experience. That might not be the exact science in determining who starts and who doesn’t, but it’s been the case many times over the years, and it makes sense.
Runyan is going to be a very good lineman at Michigan, and he might well emerge as the best of the bunch during the season, but gut feeling says Bushell-Beatty sees the field first at right tackle, with Runyan also seeing plenty of time on plays suited to his ability. If he plays better during the game, he’ll stay on the field.
There’s not much experience at right guard, and Florida’s athleticism up front could be tough for Onwenu, who struggled at times in pass protection in the spring game carrying added weight. He’s slimmed down a bit and is having a solid camp, and he’ll probably be the guy there.
As for tight end … they’ll play five against the Gators, sometimes three at a time. Redshirt sophomore Tyrone Wheatley Jr. will be one of them. He’s picked it up, and he’s still the best blocker of the bunch. Ian Bunting will also see plenty of time, but it says here sophomore Sean McKeon will play as much as any of them against the Gators, and make a few big plays in a solid win.
BRANDON BROWN: The left side of Michigan’s offensive line seems rock solid with Cole and Bredeson holding down left tackle and left guard respectively. Patrick Kugler also appears to have grabbed ahold of the center spot, but the right side is much more fluid.
I believe slightly less massive sophomore Mike Onwenu will be the guy at right guard and will be very good there. I’m a little less sure about right tackle but I think it’s going to be Jon Runyan Jr. The 6-4, 304-pound redshirt sophomore is arguably the most athletic offensive lineman out of them all and that’s perfect for what Greg Frey wants to do with his tackles. Runyan seems mentally ready and bring a bit more upside to the position than redshirt junior Juwann Bushell-Beatty.
Speaking of Greg Frey, he has some intriguing tight ends to work with as well. I think senior Ian Bunting is going to be the guy, but I also think junior Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is going to become a pretty reliable target, as well. If I had to guess right now, I’d say that Bunting will double up Wheatley when it comes to targets, catches, and yardage but the two might both grab a few TDs this fall. Sophomore Nike Eubanks and redshirt sophomore Zach Gentry are both very intriguing because of their athleticism and speed but Bunting and Wheatley will be the guys.
AUSTIN FOX: Onwenu is the leading candidate to claim the starting right guard spot, but he is by no means a lock for it. He hardly played last year as a freshman, and still needs to prove he’s ready to make the next step.
The outlook at right tackle is even murkier, with Bushell-Beatty and Runyan appearing to be the top candidates for the job. Bushell-Beatty has seen plenty of action in his career but hasn’t necessarily impressed, while Runyan has hardly seen any game action at all.
At this point, expect Onwenu to win the starting right guard job, with Bushell-Beatty coming out on top at right tackle (I’m giving him a slight edge over Runyan due to his experience).
The situation at tight end is much more clear, with redshirt junior Ian Bunting appearing to be the clear-cut, top guy. I expect Bunting to grab the starting job and hold on to it all season.
JOHN BORTON: Onwenu made some positive strides in the offseason, after Jim Harbaugh let it be known he needed to shed some pounds. The sophomore held up well in fall camp, and there's no reason to believe he won't get the nod at right guard.
The issue, if there is one, involves endurance over the course of a game at his size (unofficial at this point, but well north of 350 at the time of Harbaugh's comments). Onwenu will draw a strong test against the front Florida puts on the field.
Bushell-Beatty and Runyan have battled it out at right tackle, and the former could get the nod, after starting last year briefly when freshman left tackle Grant Newsome went down to injury. It says here that Runyan is one to watch for the long haul. He's really come on and could be the starter by midseason — or earlier.
Bunting stepped up in the bowl game, and there's no reason to think he won't again, with more opportunity available. Michigan will run several tight ends onto the field, so Wheatley Jr., Eubanks, Gentry and others can expect situational use, which they can expand via individual production.
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