Michigan still has a few position battles to settle before the September 5 opener against Western Michigan. One of the most important is at offensive guard, where three players are competing for two starting jobs.
Evan Link, Nate Efobi and Brady Norton remain in the mix as fall camp winds down. The rest of the offensive line appears more settled.
The Locked-In Starters
Jake Guarnera is locked in at center. Andrew Sprague is the starter at right tackle. Blake Frazier is expected to open the season at left tackle, with Andrew Babalola serving as the sixth lineman or “rhino.”
That leaves the two guard spots as the primary unresolved competition along the offensive line.
Evan Link’s Move Inside
Link has started at both right and left tackle during his Michigan career. Now in his fourth year, he has moved inside to guard and is enjoying the change.
“I’d say, as of now, I’m probably enjoying guard a little bit more just because it’s a new experience, and it’s plenty to learn, and I think, like I said, I’ve never done before, right? And so, yeah, it’s been really a lot of fun,” Link said.
Given his experience as a multi-year starter at tackle, Link appears to have the inside track at left guard.
The Right Guard Battle: Efobi vs. Norton
That leaves Nate Efobi and Brady Norton competing for the right guard job.
Norton, a former FCS All-American, has impressed during fall camp and is more of a legitimate contender than many expected. Efobi, however, has extensive experience at Michigan and has benefited from the new strength staff under Jim Harding’s guidance.
As of now, Efobi is the slight favorite to start in Week 1. Norton is still expected to see playing time in some capacity.
What Michigan Wants Up Front
The Wolverines are aiming for a group of 10 offensive linemen they can trust. For the opener, the priority is simply putting the best five on the field.
Fans will get their first real look at the starting combination on September 5 against Western Michigan.
The Bigger Picture
Settling the guard spots is one of the final pieces of Michigan’s offensive line puzzle under the new staff. Link’s move inside and the Efobi-Norton competition will go a long way toward determining how stable the interior looks early in the season.
13. FAQ Section
Which three players are competing for Michigan’s starting guard spots?
Evan Link, Nate Efobi and Brady Norton.
Who is expected to start at left guard?
Evan Link is the current favorite.
Who has the edge at right guard?
Nate Efobi is the slight favorite over Brady Norton.
Are the tackle and center spots settled?
Yes. Blake Frazier (LT), Jake Guarnera (C) and Andrew Sprague (RT) are locked in.
When will fans see the starting offensive line?
September 5 against Western Michigan.
Reader Question
Who do you have starting at the two guard spots for Michigan against Western Michigan — Link and Efobi, or does Norton force his way in?
