Where Michigan Football's Offensive Line Ranks Heading Into 2023 According To PFF
Michigan has had the best offensive line the past two seasons. The Wolverines were awarded the Joe Moore Award in '21 and '22 for having the nation's best offensive line.
Even after losing left tackle Ryan Hayes and center Olu Oluwatimi, Michigan returns three starters from last season, including one of the best left guards in the country, Zak Zinter.
Jim Harbaugh went out and brought in three more offensive linemen via the transfer portal, and all three have the potential to not only start but make the All-Big Ten team when the season is over.
Pro Football Focus continues with its rankings in the middle of July. The newest ranking the analytic site put together is the top 10 offensive lines heading into 2023.
The Wolverines came in at No. 1. The top five consisted of: Michigan, Georgia, Oregon State, Alabama, and USC. In fact, the maize and blue were the only Big Ten team in the top 10.
Last season, Michigan became the first school to win two consecutive Joe Moore Awards, given to the nation’s best offensive line. The Wolverines should be the favorites to three-peat in 2023.
Zak Zinter is back at right guard and is my No. 3 interior offensive lineman in the country. The senior was the second-most-valuable Power Five guard last season, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. Drake Nugent transfers in from Stanford and is one of the best centers in the nation. His 84.1 run-blocking grade last year ranked third among FBS centers.
Michigan also returns another two starters in left guard Trevor Keegan and right tackle Karsen Barnhart. Meanwhile, Arizona State transfer LaDarius Henderson is the favorite to take over at left tackle for the departed Ryan Hayes. Over the past two seasons, Henderson’s 2.0% pressure rate allowed ranked fifth among Pac-12 guards.
As for depth, the Wolverines brought in Stanford tackle Myles Hinton, who placed fourth among Power Five tackles in 2022 with a 1.8% pressure rate allowed. Trente Jones also returns and ranked sixth among Big Ten tackles last season with a 78.1 grade.
Michigan has seven offensive linemen that could be drafted in April. The East-West Shrine Bowl put all seven of them on its watch list for NFL scouts.
The Wolverines are loaded on the offensive line and even if an injury occurs throughout the season, it feels like the depth is as good as its ever been in Ann Arbor -- Michigan would be fine.
