Michigan’s offensive line is starting to come into focus, and two names are already standing out from the pack.
After the second day of fall camp on Thursday, offensive line coach Jim Harding made it clear that the Wolverines are working through a crowded race, but not every spot is truly up for grabs. Jake Guarnera is set to open at center, and Andrew Sprague appears to have the inside track at right tackle. Harding stopped short of stamping either one officially, but the message was loud enough.
That leaves three more jobs and a group of familiar faces still fighting for them. Blake Frazier, Andrew Babalola, Evan Link, Nathan Efobi and Brady Norton are all in the mix, and Michigan is still sorting out which five will give it the best combination up front. Harding said his task is simple: find the five best players.
Guarnera has become a leader in the room and is expected to start the opener. Sprague, the 6-foot-8 tackle, is in a similar position after making progress in the spring.
Both players entered the transfer portal this offseason before ultimately returning, and Harding played a key role in bringing them back. There was even a point when both could have ended up at Texas.
Babalola is another big part of the picture. The former five-star offensive tackle is back from the ACL injury that wiped out his season, and Harding confirmed Thursday that he is 100 percent healthy.
He could have started last season if not for the injury, and he remains in the competition for a starting job. Whittingham said last week he did not see Babalola moving inside to guard, and that keeps the battle focused on tackle.
Frazier, who handled left tackle last season, is another player to watch. There has been talk he could slide inside, and he appears open to that possibility, but the situation is still fluid. Harding made it clear that there are a lot of moving parts as Michigan tries to settle on the right five.
The good news for the Wolverines is that the competition is deep. The less certain part is how the final lineup will look once the season opens.
Harding expects changes could still come before the first game and even after it. For now, though, two starters have emerged early, and the rest of the line is battling to join them.
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