Michigan Football Freshman Lineman Suffers Season-Ending Injury — Depth Chart Set

One offensive lineman is out for the season, but Kyle Whittingham still has his depth chart set.

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Head coach Kyle Whittingham spoke to the media on Friday and the Wolverines only have one long-term injury coming out of fall camp. Michigan is finishing Week 3 of fall camp and freshman offensive lineman Ace Hamilton has suffered a leg injury, which will sideline him for the entire season.

Hamilton was a three-star prospect out of Washington (DC) St. John's College. He was ranked as the No. 608 player in the class and he was battling for a backup job. Hamilton projects as a potential future center for the Wolverines, but he will now rehab and gear up for next season.

Andrew Babalola misses a few days

Andrew Babalola goes through warmups before the Michigan spring game | Getty Images

Former five-star tackle Andrew Babalola missed all of last season after sustaining a season-ending injury. He was in line to battle for the starting left tackle role, and while Ace Hamilton is the lone long-term injury, Babalola has had a 'minor setback'.

Babalola has missed the last several days, according to head coach Kyle Whittingham.

“He was showing progress, and he's got all the tools, as I mentioned at the onset of camp. But it's just been slowed by a nagging thing.”

Wolverines have found their starters

With news of both Hamilton and Babalola, Whittingham told the media that Michigan has decided on its starting five offensive linemen. However, the Wolverines are not planning on releasing a depth chart ahead of the Western Michigan game.

Whittingham said it will keep teams guessing and then everyone will know what's going on once Michigan takes the field against the Broncos.

By the sound of it, Michigan has 10 offensive linemen it likes and feels comfortable with. Which means, the Wolverines have a two-deep and will enter the Western Michigan game ready to roll.

Will Babalola start on the bench?

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It's a little worrisome to learn that the highly-touted recruit is hurt once again. Babalola didn't see any game action last season, and it sounds like he will be out a few more days in fall camp.

If Michigan has its starting lineup already set, my best guess is that Babalola is the backup left tackle or the sixth lineman. Jason Beck has a 'Rhino' package where he brings in a sixth lineman, and that could be Babalola.

If he is the backup, the best guess is that Blake Frazier won the starting left tackle job and will suit up there in Week 1 against Western Michigan.