After years of waiting in the wings and battling for playing time, Greg Crippen’s perseverance has paid off and he is now poised to anchor Michigan’s offensive front for a full season:
The Michigan Wolverines have built their success on the heels of a dominant offensive line, and in 2025, Greg Crippen will finally enter the offseason as the presumed starter at center. With transfers Dominick Giudice and Raheem Anderson departing the program, and Michigan opting not to pursue another center via the transfer portal, the pathway seems clear for Crippen to make his mark.
Crippen’s journey has been one of patience and perseverance. The Northborough, Massachusetts native and former four-star recruit out of IMG Academy arrived in Ann Arbor with high expectations. However, his path to playing time was blocked by a string of veteran talents, beginning with Andrew Vastardis in 2021.
The following year, the Wolverines brought in Virginia transfer Olu Oluwatimi, who would go on to win the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center. In 2023, Crippen faced another hurdle when Stanford transfer Drake Nugent arrived and secured the starting role, becoming a Rimington Trophy finalist and a first-team All-Big Ten selection.
Despite these obstacles, Crippen remained steadfast, contributing in a backup role and honing his skills. Over the past four years, he appeared in 27 games for Michigan, gaining valuable experience in a reserve capacity.
Even in 2024, Crippen’s starting job seemed secure — until it wasn’t. Giudice began the season as the starter, but Crippen continued to make the most of his opportunities, earning his first career start against Washington and eventually solidifying himself as the starting center the rest of the way.
In total, Crippen started seven games in 2024, including key matchups against Michigan State, Oregon, Ohio State, and Alabama. He delivered a steady performance, earning a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 61.5 and an impressive pass blocking grade of 71.7, one of the team’s best marks in that category.
For Crippen, the 2025 season represents a long-awaited opportunity to be “the guy” at center. His journey has been anything but conventional, marked by years of hard work and limited opportunities behind elite players. Now, with a full season as the starter on the horizon, Crippen has the chance to solidify his legacy at Michigan.
The 2025 season represents a step forward for both Crippen and the program. With an experienced offensive coordinator now in the fold, new options at quarterback and a talented supporting cast, the Wolverines will be better positioned offensively to legitimately compete with top competition.
For Crippen, it’s a chance to finally cement himself as one of the great Michigan centers of recent memory. After years of waiting, his time has come, and fans have every reason to feel great about it.