Michigan Football: Jim Harbaugh's Toughest Task This Spring

Finding a quarterback is imperative, but before Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh can do that, he must first establish a powerful and effective offensive line.

Without a linchpin set firmly in place, nothing will work. If the line can’t protect, it won’t matter if Wilton Speight, Shane Morris or Alex Malzone is the quarterback. Devin Gardner, the former starter, was sacked 60 times during the past two seasons—26 in 2014 and 34 in 2013, the sixth-most in FBS. 

Those numbers were a cry for help.

Conversely, if there are no lanes in which to run, having Ty Isaac, Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith in the backfield won’t make a shred of difference. In 2014, the Wolverines (5-7, 3-5 Big Ten) rushing offense strung together a meager 162.8 yards per game, ranking No. 8 in the conference, and scored just 17 touchdowns, the third-fewest in the Big Ten.

The team ranked dead last in total offense (333 YPG) and No. 13 of 14 in points per game (20.9).

That said, the need to build up front should be obvious for Harbaugh, who begins spring practice Feb. 24. Michigan’s success in 2015 will largely depend on growth in the trenches.

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Due to steady recruiting, Michigan has stockpiles of talent waiting to make an impact on the line. The cornerstones, though, are Mason Cole and Jack Miller—their development could make Harbaugh’s first season as head coach in Ann Arbor a success.

At 6’5” and 292 pounds, Cole possesses the sheer physical size needed to be a standout left tackle. He’s already on pace to have a special career, so it’s perfectly logical to project a massive leap of progression for the former 4-star recruit. 

He started 12 games as a true freshman, a rare feat at Michigan. He was also the program’s first true frosh to start a season opener on the O-line. Considering the Wolverines tradition, that was an incredible accomplishment in itself.

Cole has demonstrated the ability to combat blitzes and clear lanes for backs. He is the future, at least right now.

Often the voice of reason and accountability during 2014, Miller faces the challenge of anchoring the line and the locker room as a senior. There’s a new coach in town, and players of the Miller mold typically assist in paving the way for a smooth transition. He’s been under Rich Rodriguez, Brady Hoke and now Harbaugh—his “been there, done that” mentality should come in handy.

The fact that he’s also one of the Big Ten’s most-improved players doesn't hurt, either.

The 6’4”, 299-pound center has started 16 times—12 times in 2014—and appeared in 22 games. He has experience in spades, relatively speaking, and he’s a respected leader, so it makes perfect sense to designate him as a key factor as the line enters spring workouts.

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As the Harbaugh recruiting machine continues to roar, existing players will get left behind and buried deep within the depth chart—that’s just the nature of the business, regardless of school or conference. The best and most-prepared athletes will get reps.

Meanwhile, the 2015 class has three linemen due to arrive this fall, so spring will be critical for the likes of Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Logan Tuley-Tillman, a pair of former 4-star tackles who’ve yet to make a dent.

Bushell-Beatty, a 6’6”, 319-pound redshirt frosh-to-be, was part of Hoke’s lauded 2014 class. Tuley-Tillman, a 6’7”, 290-pounder, was part of the 2013 class but redshirted. He appeared in one game in 2014—Week 1’s 52-14 rout of Appalachian State.

Along with Ben Braden, a 6’6”, 322-pound redshirt junior-to-be, these guys will likely compete for top reps at right tackle.

Kyle Kalis, a 6’5”, 298-pound redshirt junior-to-be, seems to have the right guard position locked down, but the hyphenated ones could make a run at Kalis' starting spot if things don’t pan out versus Braden.

Graham Glasgow, a 6’6”, 311-pound senior-to-be, probably has the left guard spot in hand. But Erik Magnuson, a 6’6”, 294-pound redshirt-junior-to-be, is right behind him. Of course, there is the slight chance that Harbaugh and offensive coordinator/O-line coach Tim Drevno could try Bushell-Beatty and/or Tuley-Tillman behind Glasgow.  

This is the year to figure out a consistent two-deep offensive line. Hoke and former O-line coach Darrell Funk never really had that, nor did they do an adequate job in attempting to establish such a thing. They paid dearly for that failure.

Harbaugh will too if he doesn’t immediately spearhead efforts to evolve the line from so-so into something.

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability.

Recruiting info comes courtesy of 247Sports. Stats and player information were obtained from BigTen.org and MGoBlue.com.