53 days until Michigan football: Is the next great U-M center on the roster?
There are 53 days until the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines football team takes the field in the Aug. 31 opener against Fresno State. Each day until then, we’ll discuss current Michigan events, the upcoming season and/or take a look at a significant number that correlates with how many days remain until kickoff, whether it be a player’s jersey number, a year, a date, a score, etc.
The Michigan Wolverines have set a high bar at the center position over the last number of years with Cesar Ruiz, Andrew Vastardis, Olu Oluwatimi and Drake Nugent at the position. Heading into the 2024 campaign, senior Greg Crippen is projected to land the opening day job as he takes the baton.
There are high expectations for what Crippen can bring to the table and the standard has been set. Assuming he meets those, who is next in line to run the next leg of the race after him? It might be wise to look at incoming freshman Jake Guarnera.
Guarnera (6-4, 308) was a three-star prospect and the No. 475 player in the country in the 2024 recruiting class, per the On3 Industry Ranking. He chose Michigan over notable offers from Florida, Penn State, Rutgers and NC State.
The Pointe Vedra Beach (Fla.) lineman was a favorite of our EJ Holland on the recruiting trail, and described last summer what he brings to the table as a player.
“Guarnera is technically sound on film, which is no surprise considering his father, Jim, was a college defensive lineman at Rutgers and had a short stint in the NFL,” Holland wrote. “For Guarnera, it’s about becoming more of an expert in the intricacies of playing center as well as getting more comfortable snapping, which he mentioned was a big point of emphasis [last] offseason. Guarnera’s pass pro was the biggest highlight, but he’s also willing to get physical in the run game.
“Overall, Guarnera actually reminds me of a better version of Michigan center Greg Crippen. While I didn’t love Crippen as a recruit, I praised his technique and high floor at the center position. Guarnera also checks those boxes but excels where Crippen didn’t. He’s more athletic, more physical and has more of a captain mentality.”
Guarnera enrolled early at Michigan and took part in spring practices, where he started to get his feet wet in the strength program and learn the playbook. That sort of leg up could help accelerate his development as he competes for a job this summer and potentially a starting role down the road.
“I think it’ll benefit me,” Guarnera said. “But I’m not sure it will have as much of an impact for me. Coach Moore has talked to me about getting an opportunity to start my redshirt sophomore year. But I think it will give me a head start on classes and transitioning into the lifestyle of a student.”
Crippen and fellow senior Raheem Anderson are expected to fill out the top two sports on the depth chart at center this fall.
