Michigan’s offensive line picture is getting clearer with two weeks left before the opener, even if the depth chart itself still isn’t official.
Kyle Whittingham didn’t reveal a starting five, but he made it pretty obvious the Wolverines already know how they want to line up. He’s not planning to hand out a Week 1 depth chart, figuring other programs can sort it out on their own. And in this case, they probably can.
The biggest clue is Andrew Babalola’s recent absence. That points strongly to Blake Frazier and Andrew Sprague as the starting tackles for the Western Michigan game.
Babalola has been out of action recently, and while there’s still time for that to change, the more likely path is that he works his way back after not playing in a real game for two years. When he’s fully healthy, he sounds more like the extra lineman in blocking situations than an immediate starter.
That doesn’t mean the left tackle situation is settled for good. It just means it’s settled for now.
Inside, Jake Guarnera appears to have the center job locked down, and Evan Link has long looked like the natural fit at left guard. That leaves one spot still up for grabs.
Nathan Efobi and Brady Norton have been battling for the other guard position, and both have starting experience from last season. A rotation there wouldn’t be a shock, especially with Norton dealing with some injury issues as well.
There’s also been encouraging chatter about how the line has held up against Michigan’s defensive front. Whittingham has repeatedly described that defensive line as the team’s strength throughout spring and fall, but Chris Balas of The Wolverine reported that the offensive line “held up.”
That matters. The buzz around Bryce Underwood has been building, but the offensive line may be turning a corner too. If that keeps going, Michigan’s offense could look even more dangerous when the opener arrives.
In Other News...
Michigan Just Landed An Early Ohio Recruiting Win Fans Will Love
Monsanna Torbert Jr. gave Michigan an early jolt on the recruiting trail, becoming a hard commitment for the Wolverines 2027 class after the four-star cornerback out of Princeton High School in Cincinnati chose Ann Arbor over several major programs. For a staff that has long made its living selling defense and development, landing one of Ohios most intriguing prospects so far ahead of signing day is the kind of move that can ripple well beyond one pledge.
Torbert is regarded as a top national cornerback prospect, and his decision points to the kind of impression Michigan made during his visit. The coaching staff and its defensive philosophy clearly resonated, which is especially notable considering where he comes from and who else was in the mix. For Michigan, it is an early win in a neighbors backyard, and the real question now is how firmly the Wolverines can hold onto it as the recruiting process keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Rookies Are Already Forcing The NFL To Notice
Detroit got an early look at why Derrick Moore was such a coveted draft pick. The former Michigan edge rusher, selected 44th overall in the 2026 NFL draft, made his mark in a preseason game against the Commanders with a sack and two forced fumbles, a quick reminder that his game can translate fast to the next level. For a Lions team expecting him to help its pass rush right away, that kind of debut matters.
Rayshaun Benny is giving Baltimore reason to keep paying attention, too. The former Wolverines defensive lineman, a seventh-round pick, added a sack in the Ravens preseason win over Minnesota and strengthened his case for a spot on the 53-man roster. It is the kind of early production that can change how teams view late-round picks, especially when roster decisions start getting tight. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan's Week 1 Offense Is Emerging But One Big Battle Remains
Michigans offense has started to take shape ahead of the opener against Western Michigan, even if the official depth chart is staying under wraps for now. Bryce Underwood is expected to get the first crack at quarterback, Jordan Marshall appears set as the starting running back and team captain, and Andrew Marsh along with JJ Buchanan look like the leading options at wide receiver as the Wolverines try to settle into a rhythm early.
The real intrigue is in the spots still up for grabs, where the wide receiver third job and the tight end rotation are both drawing competition and multiple players should be involved once the games begin. Up front, there has also been a shift on the offensive line, with Nate Efobi now likely to start over Andrew Babalola after a minor setback in fall camp, leaving Michigan with a few important decisions still to sort out before the season opener. [Read more 🡒]