Michigan freshman offensive guard Zak Zinter is perhaps the most talented of a young and hungry group of U-M linemen, a lock to start at guard. He’s been working on the right side next to tackle Andrew Stueber to provide what should be a great run blocking combination.

Zinter had surgery in the offseason to repair an injured thumb, but he’s back and ready to live up to the hype as one of the Big Ten’s most promising young players.

“I tore my UCL the week practice before the Penn State game. I got treatment, was trying to fight through it and play the Penn State game … got through the first drive and it was just super painful, and I couldn’t play at my best to help the team win,” he recalled. “I got surgery, and it’s 100 percent healed now, feeling great. It’s ready to go. It’s not affecting me at all for spring.

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“It’s ben awesome working next to Stuebs. He’s a great player, knows the game very well. The connection we’ve built playing next to each other is very strong. I love playing next to Stuebs.”

Graduate senior Andrew Vastardis is working at center, Zinter disclosed, and while the competition will be ongoing, that’s a glimpse of how 3/5 of the line might look on opening day. Louisiana Tech transfer Willie Allen came in a bit heavy and has work to do, but he’ll also get a look at tackle.

“He’s a great guy. I’ve gotten to know him pretty well,” Zinter said. “He’s a big dude, has got strong hands, athletic. He’s going to be a good tackle.”

New O-line coach Sherrone Moore has added some positive energy to practice, Zinter said, and has an emotion and passion that has really translated to his players. It’s been “awesome,” the frosh said, and while he appreciated Ed Warinner, it’s been fun to learn from someone new.

The entire group has really fed off Moore’s energy, Zinter added.

“We have high expectations for ourselves,” he said. “Having that experience is amazing. We were very young last year, so now we’ve had a few games to jell together; we’ve had this spring practice to start working with each other. Being able to get spring like we didn’t last year has just been able to let us jell and be comfortable with playing next to each other again.”

There were nerves when he was thrown into the mix as a true freshman, he admitted, but the experience was “huge” for him.

“That experience is something you can’t really create other than playing in the game itself,” he said. “The experience was incredible. Think I’ve come a very long way since I stepped on campus as an early enrollee.”

Zinter Identifies Spring Standouts

Zinter was asked about young players that have caught his eye, and he identified several. On the defensive line, redshirt sophomore Mazi Smith appears to be making a move.

“The defense has got a lot of stuff working, and they’re putting all the new stuff in,” Zinter said. “It’s going to be a really great defense.

“Someone that has stood out I’d say is Mazi Smith. He has a bright future ahead of him. He’s a very good player … strong, physical, knows the game really well. He’s got very high potential. He’s going to be a great player.”

Of the freshmen early enrollees on the offensive line, Greg Crippen has received the majority of the praise.

“They’re all doing great. I came in as an early entry last year … they’re learning the playbook really well, pushing each other in practice, getting better every day.

Greg Crippen is standing out a bit. He’s going to have a very bright future in front of him. He’s very smart at the game, wants to learn, has a strong drive. He’s going to be a good player.”

The running backs have also stood out, he added.

“We’ve got a great running back room, arguably one of best running back groups in the country,” Zinter said. “[Frosh] Donovan [Edwards], he’s an amazing player, going to have a very bright future ahead. Hassan [Haskins], Blake [Corum], Donovan … it’s pretty incredible the amount of talent we have in the running back room right now.”

Not many work harder than Corum, he added.

“He’s a great player. I know him very well,” Zinter continued. “The amount of drive and love he has for the game; he’s super strong, He’s always in the weight room, always doing something to get better, doing field work.

“He’s a very good player, and just getting better every single day. Every practice he’s always pushing himself. He’s a great player.”

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