After a down year for Michigan’s offensive line, some new and old names could help revamp things in 2025. Here are the names and storylines to follow for Michigan along the offensive line this spring:
Michigan’s offensive productivity took a big step back in 2024, and the play of the offensive line was one of the main reasons why. After winning the Joe Moore Award in 2021 and 2022, and having one of the nation’s best offensive lines in 2023, the 2024 group left much to be desired, and made life difficult for the other position groups.
There were a couple reasons for this step back. First and foremost, the Wolverines lost all five of their starters from 2023, as well as their top depth option in Trente Jones. Inexperienced players needed to step up to fill the void, while Grant Newsome was also making his debut as the offensive line coach with Sherrone Moore being promoted to head coach.
With another year to let things marinate as well as some new guys in the mix, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this group take a step forward in 2025 – maybe not back to the elite level fans were once accustomed to, but at least back to being respectable. This step will start in spring practices, so today, we’ll be taking a look at the new and returning players in the mix for starting jobs, as well as previewing what to watch for in the coming weeks.
Players to Know
Returning players: Greg Crippen (SR), Giovanni El-Hadi (SR), Nathan Efobi (JR), Evan Link (JR), Andrew Sprague (SO), Blake Frazier (SO), Luke Hamilton (SO), Jake Guarnera (SO)
Incoming transfers: Lawrence Hattar* (SR), Brady Norton (JR)
Incoming freshmen: Andrew Babalola, Avery Gach, Kaden Strayhorn, Ty Haywood*
*Hattar and Haywood will not be participating in spring practices
What to Watch
No matter how you look at it, Michigan’s offensive line play was not up to its usual standard in 2024. Looking on the bright side, the group seemed to get better as the year progressed, capped by a great showing in the ReliaQuest bowl.
Some contributors return in 2025 as well. Starting on the inside, Crippen should be pencilled in to start at center. He was adjusting to his first taste of extended playing time in 2024, and while he looked overmatched at times., he settled in as the year progressed and should take another step forward. The top newcomer at center is Strayhorn, an early enrollee that might not push for a starting spot right away, but could be Michigan’s center of the future. However, Guarnera — who did get some playing time in 2024 as a true freshman — will fight for that spot on the two-deep.
At guard, El-Hadi is back and should start at right guard. He’s had his ups and downs in his career, but should be one of the leader of the group. On the left side, there’s an open competition. Efobi is the top returning guy, appearing in six games in 2024, but by no means should be pencilled in as the starter yet. Other candidates are Norton and Hattar, though only Norton will be practicing this spring. Norton was one of the better tackles in FCS at Cal Poly, but his small stature (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) by offensive line standards might make him better suited for guard.
Kicking out to tackle, Michigan boasts plenty of potential, but not that much experience. Link started at right tackle in 2024, but was eventually benched and only earned his job back after Andrew Gentry’s season-ending injury. Hopefully he can be more consistent this spring at tackle, but he could also move to guard if needed.
Sprague was a popular name following the win over Alabama . It represented his first career start, but he shined at right tackle by logging a 63.3 PFF grade , the best mark on Michigan’s offensive line for the game. He should be penciled in as one of the starters at tackle for the fall, but he will need to show this spring that his outing against the Crimson Tide was more than just a flash in the pan.
Frazier didn’t get playing time last year, but he still possesses plenty of potential as a former four-star recruit. Meanwhile, Babalola is a talented, albeit raw, five-star talent. If he’s able to progress quicker than expected, he could force his way into the conversation for a starting spot by midseason. As previously noted, Norton played tackle at the FCS level and could factor in here as well.
The Wolverines have plenty of potential to work with up front this spring, and things should be better in 2025.