Michigan’s 2026 outlook starts up front, and that means the offensive line is carrying a huge piece of the load.
The Wolverines have the kind of expectations that come with a program trying to push its ceiling higher, but the path there runs straight through a group that has to look a lot more like Michigan’s old standard than it did a year ago. From 2021-2023, the Wolverines built one of the nation’s most physically dominant offensive lines, and that stretch lined up with the best three-year run in school history. The last two seasons, though, didn’t hold that same level.
Last year was the real problem spot. Michigan’s line was sturdy enough in the run game, but its pass protection fell apart far too often. According to Pro Football Focus, the Wolverines ranked 86th in pass-blocking in 2025 and gave up 13 sacks and 89 quarterback pressures on 405 total dropbacks.
First-year head coach Kyle Whittingham is counting on that being the exception, not the new norm. He said the group has taken meaningful steps already and believes the Wolverines can again be one of the Big Ten’s top fronts.
“We feel good about our offensive front. We’ve made a lot of progress,” Whittingham said.
“We feel very confident we’re going to be one of the best groups in the Big Ten. Right now, I think we have nine guys that will play at a high level.”
The projected starting five includes center Jake Guarnera, left tackle Blake Frazier, right tackle Andrew Sprague, left guard Evan Link and right guard Nathan Efobi, though Brady Norton has also turned heads in fall camp and remains in the mix to start.
Guarnera and Sprague are viewed as possible All-Big Ten performers. Frazier, Link and Efobi have shown high-end ability at times, but consistency has been the issue, which makes chemistry and reliability the next big step for the unit.
“The offensive line has made really good strides from where we were in the spring,” Michigan offensive coordinator Jason Beck said. “There’s a lot of competition and depth. We’ll just continue to work and see who is the most consistent.”
Whittingham also made a point of bringing in offensive line coach Jim Harding soon after taking over, and he’s been impressed with the effect Harding has had in a short time.
“Jim Harding is a proven commodity as an offensive line coach,” Whittingham told the media. “He puts together a high-quality offensive line unit year in and year out. He continues to groom these guys, and recruit them and build them.”
How far this offense goes will depend heavily on that group. Bryce Underwood was under constant heat and often had to escape the pocket last season, so giving him cleaner looks and a steadier platform will be one of the biggest keys on the board.
Brady Norton put it plainly.
“We didn’t uphold the standard last year,” Norton said. “It’s hard to be comfortable in the pocket when pressure is all over you, so when we keep the pocket clean for Bryce, you can tell how damn good of a player he is. He’s due for a big year.”
If Michigan’s offensive line really is better - and all signs suggest it should be - the ripple effect could shape the entire 2026 season, especially with the passing game needing a reset after getting bogged down by pressure a year ago.
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