The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2016 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 85 OFFENSIVE LINE the last hurrah, and they really want to do something great, know they can do it and really get into a rhythm. "Kyle has gotten better every week and every day gets better. He's a really physical football player, uses his hands well, targets his hel- met well. He's really starting to understand the landmarks and targets and blocking angles." Kalis took some criticism for playing too high at times last season, which allowed defenders through to the quarterback from his right guard position, but he wasn't alone, Drevno noted. "Sometimes teams line up good players across from you, so some- times you're not going to win every battle," he said. "This is the Big Ten Conference, and there are a lot of good players." As a group, though, the line held its own, limiting opponents to 18 total sacks (third lowest in the Big Ten). In fact, all five on the of- fensive line earned some all-conference recognition, with Magnuson joining Kalis on the third team (coaches and media). With 24 starts and 32 appearances, Magnuson (6-6, 305) has become a stalwart. He's proven his versatility in playing several positions on the line, moving to right tackle last season from guard. "He has got really good football savvy," Drevno said. "He's got really good recoverability and body control. He can get himself in a bad situation and come out smelling like a rose." There were times last season when ends beat him with a speed rush around the edge, but he's adjusted and improved. "He's done a nice job really grooving his kick in pass protection and really taking ownership of that right tackle spot," Drevno added. "He feels very, very comfortable out there." Magnuson's run blocking continues to improve, the coach added, just as it has across the board. Not only were sacks down from 25 in 2014 (with one less game than 2015), but the Wolverines also aver- aged 158.2 yards on the ground and managed 27 rushing touchdowns. The guard play was a big part of the line's resurgence, with Braden (6-6, 322) manning the inside position on the left side. He started at right tackle as a redshirt sophomore and even saw time at left tackle in the spring game, but is most effective at guard. He's played in 27 career games with 25 starts, and earned honor- able mention All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and the media last year. "I think he had a really nice spring," Drevno said. "Ben has grown as a football player from last season to now and is really getting good at what he does. He's getting better and really coming into his own. "He's a physical guy, like all of them have to be to play this game, but his biggest strength is really good measurables. He has really long arms, is a big, tall guy that can really keep people off him. He has PRESEASON ANALYSIS: OFFENSIVE LINE Starter ✪ ✪ ✪ ½ All five of Michigan's starters last year earned a place on at least one All-Big Ten team, though they were all on either the third team or honorable mentions. If all progress as hoped, this could be the Big Ten's best line — but there are no guarantees. Depth ✪ ✪ ✪ There are plenty of bodies, but not much experience. There's been very limited mean- ingful playing time beyond the starters, with none of the projected backups having started a game. Expect at least one freshman on the two-deep. X-Factor The center position will remain a question mark until someone proves he can do the job, and it will be hard to duplicate what Glasgow accomplished last year. Cole is not a natural at the position, and if he can't make the position a strength, who can? Overall ✪ ✪ ✪½ There's plenty of experience and enough talent that the offensive line should be a strength of the 2016 team, yet it remains one of the question marks. The group made huge strides in pass blocking and picking up blitzes last year — now it's time to exert its will on opponents. It has that potential. Note: Star rankings are made on a scale of 1-5 stars. QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Tim Drevno (second season). Returning Starters: LG Kyle Kalis (29 starts), LG Ben Braden (25), C Mason Cole (25, all at LT) and RT Erik Magnuson (24). Departing Starters: C Graham Glasgow (37, 22 at C). Projected New Starters: LT Grant Newsome and C Mason Cole (from LT). Top Reserves: Juwann Bushell-Beatty (T), David Dawson (G), Nolan Ulizio (T) and Ben Bredeson (G). Wait Until 2017: Jon Runyan Jr. Newcomers: Bredeson (G), Michael Onwenu (G) and Stephen Spanellis (T). Moved In: None. Moved Out: None. Rookie Impact: Bredeson. Most Improved Player: Braden. Best Pro Prospect: Newsome. FYI: Athlon ranks Michigan's offensive line as the best in the Big Ten and fourth nation - ally … Cole was a preseason first-team All-Big Ten pick by the magazine while Magnuson was named to the second team … Magnuson was the lone preseason All-Big Ten pick from the U-M front on the team named by Sporting News … All five OL started every game at the same position last year for U-M … Five linemen bring starting experience into 2016, combining for 104 starts — Kalis (29), Braden (25), Cole (25), Magnuson (24) and Newsome (one) … Michigan has signed at least one four-star blocker in each recruit - ing cycle since 2011 — it has added one five-star and 12 four-stars over the last six years … Kalis was the lone five-star … Bredeson is only Michigan's second scholarship offen- sive lineman from Wisconsin in the last 25 years, joining former tackle Adam Stenavich … Two linemen had fathers who played in the NFL for at least eight seasons — Runyan (Jon Sr.) and Kalis (Todd) … Spanellis attended the same high school (Baltimore Gilman) as Michigan fullback Henry Poggi, the son of their high school football coach, Biff Poggi. Tackle Erik Magnuson is one of three fifth-year seniors expected to start up front this year for Michigan. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN