Examing the University of Michigan's Roster: Offensive Line Edition

The offensive line is the heart beat of the entire offense.   Without a great offensive line, great quarterbacks would not have been as good.  They completely control what happens for the quarterback as well as the running back.  They are a necessity to the success of any offense. 

Though they may not get the publicity or credit as the quarterback or running back, they are certainly of equal importance.

Here is the possible depth chart for the offensive line:

LT

No. 77 Taylor Lewan 6’8” 290 lbs

No. 79 Perry Dorrenstein 6’7” 305 lbs

No. 70 Bryant Nowicki 6’9” 325 lbs

LG

No. 52 Stephen Schilling 6’5” 303 lbs

No. 56 Ricky Barnum 6’3” 282 lbs

No. 57 Elliot Mealer 6’5” 310 lbs

No. 61 Zac Ciullo 6’1” 266 lbs

C

No. 50 David Molk 6’2” 270 lbs

No. 63 Rocko Khoury 6’4” 291 lbs

No. 64 Christian Pace 6’2” 259 lbs

No. 67 Adam Barker 6’”3 270 lbs

RG

No. 65 Patrick Omameh 6’4” 293 lbs

No. 76 Quinton Washington 6’4” 307 lbs

No. 74 John Ferrara 6’4” 283 lbs

RT

No. 72 Mark Huyge 6’6” 305 lbs

No. 75 Michael Schofield 6’7” 281 lbs

No. 69 Erik Gunderson 6’8” 295 lbs

No. 66 Christian Brandt 6’6” 300 lbs

It’s not enough for offensive linemen to just be strong and big in football today. They have to have quick feet to stay in front of fast defenders and they also must be smart enough to pick up blitzes. 

We have to have a good offensive line at Michigan in order to have much success.  In all honesty, I really like what I see here.

LT

Taylor Lewan

This is a big guy with a nasty mean streak.  He looks at lot like Jake Long, which could be because of the No. 77 on his back, and we are hoping he produces like Jake Long. 

He has the ability to make guys better around him based off of his work ethic, determination, and love for the game.  He also has great athletic ability for his size. 

He will definitely be able to protect our quarterback’s blind side. This guys ceiling is sky high and I fully expect him to be out senior Perry Dorrenstein for this starting spot.

Backups: 

RS Senior Perry Dorrenstein (threatening for starting spot)

RS Senior Bryant Nowicki (biggest linemen on team, the guy is Hulk sized)

LG

Stephen Schilling

This guy is a very reliable and dependable starter. You can always depend on Schilling to be in the starting lineup as he has started 36 of his 37 games at tackle or guard. 

According to good ol’ Mel Kiper, he is the No. 4 senior guard for the 2011 NFL draft.  He is also on the Outland Trophy Watch list.  I am definitely hoping for a big season from this guy. 

He will be the glue that holds this offensive line together. The offensive line will be a strength this year and I expect Schilling to play a huge part for them being that. 

Backups:

RS Sophomore Ricky Barnum (primary backup at left guard)

RS Sophomore Elliot Mealer (His brother Brock, who was paralyzed from the waist down from a car accident, will walk and lead the Michigan players out of the tunnel, though doctors said there was a 99 percent  chance he would never walk again. 

Amazing story that will take over the first game of the season and overshadows a heated rivalry.  It is OK to route for an OSU person this time, because this is much bigger than any sports rivalry.)

RS Junior Zac Ciullo

C

David Molk

This guy definitely makes an impact on the offensive line when he is healthy.  He is one of the top two linemen at Michigan.   He was a Lombardi and Rimington trophy candidate last season and if he stays healthy, he will be one of the best linemen in the country. 

That is a big if as he has shown to be a bit injury prone, but for the sake of our team let’s hope that is not the case at all.

Backups:

RS Sophomore Rocko Khoury (has been getting tons of snaps as Molk recovers from his injury)

Freshman Christian Pace (only freshman offensive linemen in 2010 recruit class and should receive RS)

RS Freshman Adam Barker

RG

Patrick Omameh

He showed that he can be a good offensive lineman when he was given an opportunity at the end of last season. He has quick feet and will be very effective at run blocking. 

He has shown that he can be very versatile as he picked up playing time last season at right and left tackle as well as right guard.  This will be his first season as a full time starter at right guard, and I expect him to be good.

Backups:

RS Freshman Quinton Washington (primary backup at right guard)

RS Senior John Ferrara (special teams contributor and adds needed depth)

RT

Mark Huyge

He is a “Huyge” (couldn’t help myself) guy who will definitely be able to eat up defenders.  He may not be the most talented linemen of the starters, but he will certainly be able to create some space with his “Huyge” (okay I am sorry about that again) frame. 

Look for some “Huyge” (I promise that's my last time doing that) contributions from this guy.

Backups:

RS Freshman Michael Schofield (possess great size and athletic ability)

RS Freshman Erik Gunderson

Overall, we have a very talented offensive line with a lot of depth.  We have two potential All-Conference and possibly All-American candidates in Molk and Schilling. 

We have young linemen with tons of potential in Omameh and Lewan.  We also have great size in pretty much all of our linemen.   

I give our offensive line an “A-."  Great potential, but we definitely need to avoid injuries at all costs.