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Newsstand: Michigan offensive line named nation's top group

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•08/12/22•

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Tweets Of The Day

Michigan’s offensive line was named the top in the nation by On3. Here’s what the site had to say in breaking down the Wolverines’ group in the trenches:

3 key players: T Ryan Hayes, C Olusegun Oluwatimi, G Zak Zinter
The buzz: Michigan won the Joe Moore Award last season, given annually to the nation’s best offensive line. Despite the loss of two starters, this season’s line will be at least as good. Oluwatimi’s transfer from Virginia is one of the 10 biggest offseason moves for anyone.

On3 isn’t the only one to name Michigan the best offensive line heading into the season. Phil Steele also did so in his preseason magazine and explained why in an exclusive conversation with The Wolverine.

“As a member of the Joe Moore Award committee, we broke down the film of all the offensive lines last year and basically all the offensive lines [that were finalists] last year were fairly even,” Steele told TheWolverine.com. “They all had good days, they all had bad days. You look at the Michigan game against Georgia [a 33-11 loss in the Orange Bowl], it was not a great day for the offensive line.

“But overall, Michigan did have the best offensive line in the country last year, and they lose a couple of good guys like Vastardis and Stueber. But bringing in Oluwatimi from Virginia is a big-time plus. This guy might be the best center in college football. Add him to what they have back with Zinter, Keegan and Hayes, you already have a highly-productive offensive line, plenty of good recruits across the board and a lot of returning starters.”

Last season, Michigan led the country with just 34 tackles for loss allowed and ranked tied for fifth with 14 sacks yielded.

Michigan is a week and a half into fall camp, and the Wolverines’ official Twitter account posted some highlights from yesterday’s practice.

Michigan junior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is up to 285 pounds and ready to be a force on the interior.

Quote Of The Day

“To be honest with you, man, he’s so natural. Sometimes when I watch film, I have to say, ‘Wow, he’s only been over here with us for only a few months.’ Just to see his personality and to see him just take key to the leadership. We ask him a lot to be a leader on the team — on offense, defense, special teams, with the young guys. Just to see him grow has been awesome. He’s really been a good leader in that room with the nickels.” — Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale on senior Mike Sainristil and his impact after moving from wideout to defense

Headlines Of The Day

• Clayton Sayfie, The Wolverine: Michigan football: Who’s battling with Mike Sainristil at nickel?

• Chris Balas, The Wolverine: Michigan football: Steve Clinkscale on Ja’Den McBurrows, recovery

• Clayton Sayfie, Anthony Broome and Chris Balas, The Wolverine: Wolverine TV podcast: Michigan football fall camp intel, Juwan Howard’s NIL comments, more

• John Borton, The Wolverine: Wolverine TV podcast: Michigan football’s position battles and more

• Jamie Shaw, On3: 4-star Papa Kante talks Michigan, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Maryland

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