Michigan’s offensive line has been a cornerstone of its recent success, and with a new voice leading the charge in Jim Harding, the Wolverines aren’t just aiming to stay strong in the trenches - they’re gunning to be the best unit in college football.
Harding, who joined head coach Kyle Whittingham in Ann Arbor after a highly respected run at Utah, brings a résumé that speaks for itself. He’s developed NFL draft picks, molded all-conference linemen, and built a reputation as one of the most detail-oriented and effective offensive line coaches in the game. Now, he’s taking over a Michigan O-line room that’s already stacked with talent - and he’s setting the bar sky-high.
“My impression of them right now is they want to be great, they want to be pushed - and it’s my job to make sure that I do that,” Harding said on the Stadium and Main podcast.
That mindset is exactly what Michigan fans should want to hear. Harding isn’t coming in to maintain the status quo - he’s here to elevate it.
And he’s already making an impact. When linemen Jake Guarnera and Andrew Sprague entered the transfer portal, Harding didn’t just pitch Michigan’s tradition or its recent success - he sold them on his vision for the unit.
Whatever he said worked. Both players pulled their names out of the portal and recommitted to the Wolverines.
That’s a win in itself, especially considering the pieces Michigan already has in place. Guarnera is expected to step in as the starting center, anchoring a line that returns key contributors like Blake Frazier and Sprague. Evan Link, though not a full-time starter last season, played enough meaningful snaps to be considered a de facto returning starter - and his versatility could allow him to slide inside if needed.
The competition at guard will be one to watch this offseason. Nathan Efobi is in the mix, but Andrew Babalola is another intriguing option who could play either guard or tackle. The depth and flexibility across the line give Michigan the kind of foundation that elite offensive lines are built on.
But Harding isn’t just aiming for “elite.” He’s targeting the Joe Moore Award - the highest honor for an offensive line in college football. And he’s not shy about saying it.
“Outside of the offensive line meeting room, there are the two pictures of the offensive lines that won it, emulating what the statue looks like,” Harding said. “So, it’s a huge expectation in this group.
There are guys that were on the last Joe Moore team when they were younger, so they’ve seen what it looks like. I don’t think it’s wrong to have that as the ultimate goal, because that’s kind of the standard for offensive line play in college.”
That’s the kind of culture Michigan has built - and is now looking to sustain. Winning the Joe Moore Award isn’t just about talent; it’s about cohesion, toughness, and consistency. Harding knows that, and he’s already setting the tone.
The Wolverines have the personnel. They have the experience.
And now, with Harding in the fold, they have a coach who’s not just chasing excellence - he’s demanding it. If this group buys in the way Harding believes they will, don’t be surprised if Michigan’s offensive line is once again the heartbeat of a championship-caliber team.