Grant Newsome talks right tackle battle, young linemen progress, more

Michigan offensive line coach Grant Newsome has been groomed to take over the Wolverines’ front, and he’s tasked with replacing five starters from Sherrone Moore’s elite line a year ago. 

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But it’s not exactly as though he’s starting from scratch. Several of the replacements have played a lot of football, including a few who have started multiple games in their careers. Myles Hinton, the projected starter at left tackle, started many games at Stanford and a few last year at U-M, while Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe was a third-team All-Big Ten selection at guard. 

“Any time you have a guy who looks like that and,moves like that and then has the ability [Hinton] does … we say God isn’t making too many people look like that who have that ability,” Newsome said. “For him, it’s kind of putting it all together, and you guys saw flashes of it last year. Part of that is obviously being able to stay healthy.

“I think he’s got all the ability in the world — a guy who potential-wise has all the ability to be the next great first round tackle from the University of Michigan. Now it’s on myself, us as coaches, and on him to, to make that happen.”

Priebe, meanwhile, might be the most proven linemen the Wolverines have. Our analyst and former Michigan All-Big Ten lineman Doug Skene compared him to Zak Zinter, one of U-M’s best guards in recent memory. 

He’s been playing guard, for the most part, but also seeing some action at center. 

“Any time you get a guy in who has starting experience in a position, there’s a possibility of keeping him there,” Newsome said. “But we want to make sure we cross train with different areas and make sure that regardless of what the starting offense line looks like, he’s in a position where he could potentially help us in multiple spots. There’s always a balance of letting guys compete at one spot, but you’re also trying to find the best five and move guys around so if stuff does happen throughout the season, you have the ability to play guys at multiple spots. 

“It’s always a balance. You’re trying to let those guys compete at one spot and feel like they have a home. That’s something sometimes people don’t understand about playing offensive line unless you’ve done it. It’s not as easy as just changing what foot is up in your stance or away from tackle to guard. And obviously, the center is a different animal in itself.”

So, they’re trying to get the best five and then some prepared for anything. 

As of now, however, Crippen seems set to come out of spring as the starting center. The fact that he’s still here is impressive in itself, Newsome said.

“He has done a great job of learning and maturing, and he’s one of those guys who’s really a technician of the craft,” Newsome said. “He was in here sometimes as much as us coaches watching film, studying, trying to be mentally as sharp as possibly can be, which is obviously huge at that center position.

“I also think it’s awesome that he … was patient, and took his time in today’s day and age. It’s not uncommon, especially if you’re bringing back transfers at a position, for a guy as talented as he is to stick around. We’re very, very happy he did that, excited to see what he does with this opportunity to go out and try to win that starting center job.”

Newsome talks Gio El-Hadi, battle at right tackle

As for the other spots — pencil in Giovanni El-Hadi at left guard. He’s played a lot of football and has developed into a leader, Newsome praised.

“He’s started games here, both left guard and right guard, so he’ll be in the mix to compete at those spots,” Newsome said. “I’ve been excited to see how he handles business this spring … kind of taking that next step in terms of not necessarily maturity, but a leadership role. You get a time where you’re an older guy, but you’re behind six NFL offensive linemen.

“Now, we still have some experience in the room now — you’re one of the elder statesmen, so to speak. It’s so awesome to see him use his voice even more and become a leader amongst the offensive line.”

At right tackle, Andrew Gentry and Jeff Persi have both been playing well and “competing back and forth,” Newsome added. Gentry is a former top 100 player who has been waiting his turn. 

“He’s done really, really well this spring, and he’s been a kind of a Swiss army knife for us in years past where he’s backed up multiple spots,” he said. “It’s been awesome to see him be able to compete.

“The other thing for him is he is obviously now going into his third year in the program. Taking that mission, he was out of football for two years. It’s been awesome to see him kind of get his strength back. I think he is able to compete at a high level. So, he’s been playing well and we’re anxious to see how he and some of those other guys I mentioned before continue to battle it out for us through spring.”