Michigan Team 137 Preview: Offensive Line

By Kevin Schroeder
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: August 8, 2016

Back from last year (click for a chart of increased size)

Projected starters: Grant Newsome (LT), Ben Braden (LG), Mason Cole (C), Kyle Kails (RG), Erik Magnuson (RT)

Could make an impact: Patrick Kugler (C), Ben Bredeson (somewhere), Michael Onwenu (G), David Dawson (G), Juwann Bushell-Beatty (T/G)

Watch out for next year: Bredeson, Onwenu, Bushell-Beatty, Dawson, Kugler, Jon Runyan, Jr. (G), Nolan Ulizio (T/G)

Sophomore Grant Newsome figures to be the starter at left tackle this year. He saw a handful of snaps last year, many of them as a 6^th o-lineman. He was pretty much fine when on the field last year, but still, he’s got to be considered a question mark going into the season. During the spring game, Taco Charlton consistently got the better of him. It’s reasonable to think that much of that is the result of Charlton just being awfully good, but even if he really is that good, you would still hope that your left tackle would fare better. He’s got the frame for the position and a great position coach, so a nice season is not out of the question, but I wouldn’t set my expectations too high.

If Newsome’s not up to the task just yet, Michigan can move junior Mason Cole back to LT. Cole is moving to center this year, replacing Graham Glasgow, and should be very good-to-excellent in doing so. Cole’s frame was never really ideal for an LT, but he was quite good there anyway. He struggled a bit with the best of edge rushers, inside that won’t be a problem. Handling the line calls should be no problem for Cole, who has started since he was a freshman.

If Cole does end up having to go back to LT, look for redshirt junior Patrick Kugler to play C for the Wolverines. Coming from a family of centers, Kugler came to Ann Arbor with a pretty high ceiling which he hasn’t really come close to.

Another option, albeit a probably unlikely one, is freshman Ben Bredeson. Bredeson’s got the skill to play already, but could use some time to bulk up. His frame and skill set looks an awful lot like Mason Cole’s. His ceiling is probably a bit higher. We’ll see where he’s at once fall camp starts; if he’s added some size and strength, he could see some snaps in preparation of a likely starting role in 2017 as well as being a contingency plan if Newsome’s not ready to be the starting LT. Given his frame, a role on the interior may be a better fit. Given the depth chart at tackle, he may have to play there.

Redshirt senior Erik Magnuson returns for another season at RT. His first was okay, though underwhelming. Michigan ran to the left more often than not and in pass pro, he had more than a couple olés. He should be fine again, though I wouldn’t expect a great deal more than that.

Redshirt senior Ben Braden is back at LG this year. He turned into a steady lineman a year ago. He should be at least pretty good again this year.

Redshirt senior Kyle Kalis is a bit more of an adventure. After decommitting from OSU in the wake of the improper benefits scandal, Kalis came to Ann Arbor with a very high ceiling and at times has shown flashes of the guy he can be and at other times has been, uh, significantly less good. Last year was a step forward, albeit not nearly as big of a step as Michigan fans had hoped. If Drevno can get that light to come on and stay on, Kalis could hear his name called next April. If.

Freshman Michael Onwenu is listed on mgoblue.com at 350 pounds, which is only not a lie if that’s as high as their scale goes. Onwenu has been in the 360-370 range (no those aren’t typos), though he really doesn’t look it. Despite the rather large number the scale displays, the dude can move. He’s quick, explosive, and strong enough to see the field right away. He’ll need to shed a few pounds to be really effective, though maybe not all that much. Given the way he carries his weight, it’s definitely possible that he could end up playing at around 340. Something to get excited about: the aforementioned bad weight was the only negative I had for him when I was scouting him.

Redshirt junior David Dawson came in as an extra interior lineman in 6-OL sets. He wasn’t anything to write home about a year ago and is probably behind a few guys now.

Redshirt sophomore Juwann Bushell-Beatty saw some snaps in mop-up duty last year. He showed some potential, but still has some work to do to get there. He’s got the frame to play tackle, but was playing guard in the spring. Hopefully, he’s able to play RT. Again, the depth chart at tackle is not overly encouraging.

Redshirt freshman Jon Runyan, Jr. has added the requisite size to play at the college level, but is probably behind a few guys yet. He could be in the mix for a starting role next year.

Redshirt freshman Nolan Ulizio came to Ann Arbor as an unheralded recruit (2* per the 247 composite) and spent last year developing. He’s still got work to do. He’s got the frame to play tackle, though, so that’s nice.

Michigan also has freshman Stephen Spanellis, who has the frame to play tackle, but is probably better suited at guard. He’s at least a couple years away. He won $250 for eating 15 slices of pizza in five minutes this off-season, which is pretty neat. Also, as a result, the SEC should be demanding that the NCAA ban pizza any day now.

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com