There's good, and then there's an embarrassment-of-riches good. That's the state of the Michigan offensive line heading into the upcoming season. Michigan has won the Joe Moore Award in back-to-back seasons, getting a boost at center last season with tra nsfer Olu Oluwatimi, who went on to win the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center and the Outland, given to the nation's top interior lineman. The group helped the Wolverines average 238.9 rushing yards last season, ranking No. 5 nationally. Sherr one Moore, Michigan's offensive coordinator, who also coaches the offensive line, has built depth, adding three linemen from the transfer portal last December, and experience. Last season, because of injuries, there were five different starting-line comb inations, with nine players making starts. Gone are Oluwatimi and left tackle Ryan Hayes, both participating in this week's NFL combine, but the transfer additions are LaDarius Henderson, Drake Nugent and Myles Hinton.Among the experienced players returning are left guard Trevor Keegan and right guard Zak Zinter. Both assessed heading to the NFL and opted for another season at Michigan. Spring practice, which began a week ago and is paused while the university is on spring break, will be useful f or getting some of the younger players, including Gio El-Hadi and Jeff Persi, who made starts last season, more practice reps. Also back are starters Karsen Barnhart and Trente Jones, who competed at right tackle. Henderson won't be able to practice with the team until the preseason, while he finishes his degree work at Arizona State, and Nugent and Hinton are missing spring practice while working through post-season surgeries. Henderson and Nugent are targeting starting spots in the fall. - Detroit New s
(DS#9 OG) Sr/2024  OG Zak Zinter, Michigan
News Source: Detroit News
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