Michigan’s offensive line replaces four starters from last year’s team, all of them taken in the 2020 Draft. That doesn’t necessarily mean this year’s group will pale in comparison, former U-M All-American Jon Jansen said recently.

Jansen was a veteran captain on a line that included redshirt freshmen starters in Jeff Backus and Steve Hutchinson, two guys who would become elite linemen like Jansen. That group helped lead the Wolverines to a National Championship.

Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis believes this group will be more athletic, giving them more options in the run game. Pass blocking will be the key.

“I don’t know that I would say they’ll take a step back,” Jansen said. “I think there are things this offensive line will be able to do in terms of athletic ability you haven’t been able to see. I say that because you’re going to have more length and depth at tackle … Ryan Hayes, obviously Jalen Mayfield is going to be there.

“So you’re going to have the ability to widen the pocket a little bit. Inside obviously you’re going to have some young guys, possibly Zach Carpenter at center, Nolan Rumler, Chuck Filiaga is a guy I think is ready to take that next step, one we’ve been anticipating for some time.”

But by the end of the year, Jansen said, he believes this line could be outstanding.

“It’s young, and at times you’re going to see at times some young mistakes, lack of experience,” Jansen said. “At times you’re also going to see something more athletic, maybe a little more powerful, maybe more movement, better pad play. It’s going to be a little bit of a mixed bag.

“Experience, especially up front, there’s no substitute for it. Yes, these guys have watched film, they’ve been in meeting rooms, they’ve seen guys that have come before do it, but they haven’t been out there themselves. But guys like Ryan Hayes have some experience … yes, being on the practice field would be beneficial, and while not having spring hurts, having that time off for him and working on his strength, working on putting weight on, keeping weight, developing lean muscle mass … this is a good opportunity for him, as well.”

What you’ll see, he added, is more depth up front. Jalen Mayfield is the anchor and has 13 starts, redshirt junior Andrew Stueber returns and could play guard and Hayes has started games.

Even redshirt junior right guard prospect Filiaga has some experience.

“What we’re going to see is more depth up front … a lot more depth in terms of if one guy goes down, it’s not going to be catastrophic,” Jansen said. “Instead of five, maybe six guys you feel comfortable going out there, we’re going to put the best five out there in the combination of however that looks. You’ll have eight, maybe nine guys you’re comfortable having out there playing for Michigan.

“If you think about 2015 when they were playing and just hoping nobody got hurt, even the last couple years … you’re going to have the best combination out there, but if someone goes down, you’re not going to be in a panic that whoever is next isn’t going to have the ability. It’s a matter of going out and executing, but they’ll have the ability. I think you could even go 10 deep on this line.”

Which bodes well not only for this season, but also well into the future.

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