Michigan Returns Two Top Ten Offensive Linemen

There's an old adage in football that says, "it all starts up front". Although the game has has gone through significant changes over the last several decades, controlling the line of scrimmage still remains a top priority in today's game. For evidence, look no further than the offensive line at the University of Michigan.

Michigan's last two seasons have resulted in a Big Ten Championship, and it's no coincidence that the offensive line has been named the best in the nation in both years (2021-22). Now, heading into 2023, the Wolverines are once again stacked up front - with arguably the best offensive line in the country for the third straight season.

Interestingly enough, PFF College recently placed two Wolverines among the Top 10 returning interior linemen in 2023 - and one of them is a transfer.

Top 10 returning Interior OL for the 2023 CFB season, via @Chad_Maxwick pic.twitter.com/r9FrOQiUcI
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 6, 2023

No. 3: Zak Zinter - Senior

Position: Right Guard
Height: 6-6
Weight: 315

Zak Zinter enters his senior season as a consensus first-team All-Big Ten right guard (coaches and media) with 31 starts under his belt. Over the last two seasons, he's played a critical role as part of Michigan's dominant offensive line - an offensive line that is the first to capture the Joe Moore Award in back-to-back seasons.

No. 5: Drake Nugent - Graduate Transfer

Position: Center
Height: 6-1
Weight: 300

Losing a guy like Rimington Award winner Olu Oluwatimi hurts, but all Michigan did was go back to the portal and find a Rimington Award watch lister in Drake Nugent to replace him. The Stanford transfer is obviously a smart guy and he's got two years of eligibility left. The 6-1, 300-pounder started 12 games for the Cardinal last year, which obviously means he's ready for the field.

Beyond Zinter and Nugent, the Wolverines feature one of the deepest and most talented offensive lines in program history:

LaDarius Henderson, Tackle - Graduate Transfer

Height: 6-5
Weight 310 pounds
Experience: 29 starts

Trevor Keegan, Guard - Fifth Year Senior

Height: 6-6
Weight: 305 pounds
Experience: 23 starts

Karsen Barnhart, Tackle/Guard - Fifth Year Senior

Height: 6-5
Weight: 305 pounds
Experience: 16 starts

Myles Hinton, Tackle - Senior

Height: 6-7
Weight: 320 pounds
Experience: 16 starts

Giovanni El-Hadi, Guard - Junior

Height: 6-5
Weight: 317 pounds
Experience: 3 starts

Trente Jones, Tackle/Guard - Fifth Year Senior

Height: 6-4
Weight: 311 pounds
Experience: 6 starts

Jeffrey Persi, Tackle - Senior

Height: 6-8
Weight: 309
Experience: 1 start

Andrew Gentry, Tackle - Sophomore

Height: 6-7
Weight: 312 pounds
Experience: Appeared in 3 games

Tristan Bounds, Tackle - Junior

Height: 6-8
Weight: 311 pounds
Experience: Appeared in 4 games

Greg Crippen, Center - Junior

Height: 6-4
Weight: 301 pounds
Experience: Appeared in 7 games

Raheem Anderson, Center - Junior

Height: 6-3
Weight: 320 pounds
Experience: Appeared in 5 games

Reece Atteberry, Center - Senior

Height: 6-5
Weight: 315 pounds
Experience: Appeared in 12 games