Brady Hoke names likely OL starters for Michigan Wolverines’ season opener
Last season didn’t go the way many thought it would around the Michigan Wolverines football program, and the biggest reason for that was an offensive line that was a complete mess. So, heading in to the 2014 season all eyes are on the offensive line.
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While there’s a new offensive coordinator in Doug Nussmeier, he inherited the same problematic offensive line and if the Wolverines are to be a contender in 2014 that group will be the catalyst for it. However, the actual starting five remained a mystery for most of the spring and early fall camp.
On Thursday, Michigan head coach Brady Hoke gave the media the first concrete statement about who will start when Appalachian State comes to Michigan Stadium for its first game as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Mason Cole, Erik Magnuson, Jack Miller, Graham Glasgow and Ben Braden is likely your starting OL. per Hoke.
— MSpath (@MichaelSpathITH) August 14, 2014
Erik Magnuson and Graham Glasgow are the two most experienced members of an offensive line that lost both of it’s starting tackles to the NFL and graduation.
Yet, that duo will have a lot of pressure on them, as they’ll be leading an offensive line that features a U.S. Army All-American, and true freshman, Mason Cole at left tackle.
Yes, that’s right—a true freshman will be protecting the blind side of likely starter Devin Gardner. On the other side at tackle is redshirt sophomore Ben Braden, who appeared in just two games last season.
One of the biggest losers in this shuffle along the line appears to be sophomore Kyle Kalis, who started eight games and appeared in 12, while also being named to ESPN.com’s All-Big Ten Freshmen Team.
No matter who makes it to opening day as a starter, it will be key for that starting five to stay healthy—another in a long list of issues that the 2013 offensive line faced. Without health, this could be a long season for the Wolverines’ offensive line once again.