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Michigan football: 2023 O-Line could be most experienced ever

How is it possible that Michigan football’s offensive line keeps getting better?

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Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs the ball as offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) blocks TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Dee Winters (13) during the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After becoming the first school ever to win the Joe Moore Award in back-to-back seasons, Michigan football has tightened its grip on its claim to “O-line U.” Following the 2022 season, the Wolverines lost vital pieces, including multi-year starting left tackle Ryan Hayes (40 games played, 29 starts, two-time All-Big Ten selection) and arguably the greatest center in school history, Olu Oluwatimi- who became the first ever Outland Trophy award winner in school history (best interior lineman), to go along with just the third Wolverine to win the Rimington Trophy (best center). After losses like those, it’s only natural that question marks began to arise on how the unit would look in 2023.

Michigan then received big news when starting guard duo Zak Zinter and Trevor Keegan elected to return to school for another go around. Still, there were still big holes left at the two most important positions along the offensive line: center and left tackle. So Jim Harbaugh looked to the transfer portal and found excellent results when they pulled in three seniors (two 5th-year) with plenty of playing time under their belts. This adds together to become what might be the most experienced offensive line group in school history.

2023 outlook

While who precisely the starting five will end up being is still a mystery, one can most likely pencil in the interior three. Still, who will line up at the tackle positions is yet to be determined. No matter who offensive line coach and newly named sole offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore chooses to trot out for week 1 against the East Carolina Pirates, they have plenty of experience and talent to pick from.

Overall, has seven seniors (five 5th-year) with the best shots at starting have a combined 144 games started under their belts. This is an eye-popping number, and without doing much research, has to easily be the most of any returning offensive line in the Big Ten in 2023 (possibly even the country). Along with that, it is more than likely the most combined starts by a unit in Michigan football history. The group has played plenty of snaps and at a very high level as they combine for seven all-conference nods.

Zak Zinter (Sr.):

  • 31 games started (33 games played)
  • Two time All-Big-Ten (1st team coaches and 2nd team media in 2022, honorable mention in 2021)

LaDarius Henderson (5th-year):

Drake Nugent (5th-year):

Trevor Keegan (5th-year):

  • 23 starts (30 games played)
  • Two time All-Big-Ten honors (1st team coaches, 2nd team media in 2022, honorable mention in 2021)

Myles Hinton (Sr.):

Karsen Barnhart (5th-year):

  • 15 starts (26 games played)
  • Honorable mention All-Big-Ten in 2022
  • Voted most improved offensive player by team in 2022

Trente Jones (5th-year):

  • Six starts (26 games played)
  • Three-time Academic All-Big-Ten (2020-22)

Altogether, Michigan football boasts a group that has 222 football games played and 144 starts across 33 combined seasons. Safe to say these guys know football.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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New Michigan transfer has endless praise for JJ McCarthy on and off the field

A fellow Michigan quarterback had endless praise for starter JJ McCarthy

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Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy
© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

ANN ARBOR, MI — Most people would look at a player like Michigan’s rising junior quarterback and jump to conclusions. Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy was a five-star high school recruit, and is currently the starting quarterback at one of the biggest and most influential universities in the world. On top of that, he just led his Wolverines to a 13-1 season — the winningest in program history — including wins over Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State, not to mention the Big Ten title and CFP appearance.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle — who just transferred into Ann Arbor from Indiana — gave insight on who JJ McCarthy truly is on and off the field.

JJ McCarthy is more than a football player, says new Michigan football quarterback transfer

No one would blame JJ McCarthy for being cocky if he were to be — he backs it up on the field and appears to have everything in the world going for him. Still, McCarthy finds time to just be himself; regardless of his circumstance, McCarthy remains true to the person that he wants to be.

“Most people would kind of look at a guy like J.J., quarterback, big-time guy, they might think he’s arrogant or something. That dude is the most down-to-earth person,” Tuttle told the media. “I can’t say this enough — a great human being, great football player. I love being around him.”

On top of being a good man, JJ McCarthy is one hell of a quarterback, Michigan football quarterback Jack Tuttle says.

“Obviously Michigan gets under center, multiple, there’s a lot of stuff on offense — footwork wise, I’m looking at that like ‘wow’. I haven’t really been under center since high school. Looking at his footwork and how he’s progressed over the past couple of years and just taking little things that he does and maybe implementing it.”

While JJ McCarthy headlines the Michigan football quarterback room, Tuttle claims that the Wolverines are loaded at QB heading into the 2023 season.

“That whole quarterback room, I’m just stoked to be in there. Such good dudes. Really love the guy so far,” Tuttle said of McCarthy. “It’s been phenomenal. I can’t wait to see where we go.”



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan football to host NIL Pep Rally ahead of Spring Game

Thursday afternoon, more exciting news came out regarding Michigan’s annual Spring Game

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Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh talks with reporters before the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Michfiesta2 122822 Kd 2277

For Michigan football fans, the anticipation is rising as the annual Spring Game draws closer with every waking minute. On Thursday afternoon, the University of Michigan announced they would host a NIL Pep Rally before the Spring Game on April 1.

It’s no secret that coach Jim Harbaugh loves to put on a show for the fans, so this news should come as no surprise. Here is everything we know so far.

What can be expected?

Attending the event is a star-studded list, as coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football team plan to make appearances. Aside from the football team, 180 athletes across ten University of Michigan athletic teams will attend. Along with meeting some of these student-athletes, many will be available for autograph signings at the event.

Along with the opportunity to meet some of your favorite student-athletes, fans can participate in various activities. There will be face painting, tailgate games and a photo booth. Finally, former star Wolverines Jon Jansen and Jake Butt will be making an appearance for a special Chalk Talk.

Pep Rally Details

The event, presented by the leading NIL collective Valiant Management Group, will occur on April 1, 2023, in Crisler Center. The event is set to occur between 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in preparation for the spring game, which will take place in the Michigan Stadium.

Just last year, the team celebrated the opportunity to play in their first spring game since 2018. Now, it appears coach Harbaugh is ready to get back in action and get the fans even more involved. Tickets for the event are $30; kids 12 and under can get in free with a paying adult. To purchase your tickets, click here.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Major outlet ranks Jim Harbaugh as No. 1 coach in the Big Ten

A major outlet ranked Jim Harbaugh as the best coach in the Big Ten.

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Jim Harbaugh of Michigan football
Dec 31, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh throws prior to the Orange Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

ANN ARBOR, MI — Over the past two seasons, the entire identity of the Michigan Wolverines’ football program has changed. Before 2021, the Michigan football team was coming off of a 2-4 season in 2020; before that, the Wolverines were managing 8-10 wins per season, though consistantly losing to Ohio State, their bowl game, and saw frequent losses to Michigan State and Penn State. Since that 2021 season, everything has changed for Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines — in fact, Harbaugh is now thought of as the best coach in his conference.

Jim Harbaugh changes everything for Michigan football in 2021

After arguably the worst season in Michigan football history (2020), Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines decided to go all-in on the 2021 season. At his Big Ten media presser, Harbaugh claimed that Michigan would accomplish its goals (beating Ohio State, Michigan State, winning the Big Ten, and more) or “die trying.” The Wolverines did exactly that — Michigan football finished the regular season with an 11-1 record after downing Ohio State 42-27 in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines then won the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004; however, were dominated by Georgia in the CFP.

A season later, Michigan football appeared to improve as Jim Harbaugh led his team to a 12-0 finish — including massive 20+ point wins over Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State — before winning the program’s first-ever 13th game in a single season. While the Wolverines still fell short against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, the 2022 season was monumental for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football.

Heading into the 2023 season, Michigan appears to have its best roster during the Jim Harbaugh era (since 2015). In fact, right now, the Wolverines come into the season favored against every major program that it must face: Penn State, Michigan State, and Ohio State. If the Wolverines aren’t competing for a Big Ten title this year, most fans will call the season a disappointment.

On3 ranks Harbaugh No. 1 in the Big Ten

Of the 14 coaches in the Big Ten, On3 claims that none are better than Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh. Here is what On3 had to say about Harbaugh and why he is ranked No. 1:

It took some time, but Jim Harbaugh fulfilled his promise of beating Ohio State and delivering his alma mater a Big Ten Championship. 

Then he did it again last season. The Wolverines are 25-3 the last two years, with a pair of conference titles and College Football Playoff berths. While Harbaugh has downplayed some of the major cultural and philosophical changes he made before the 2021 season, he deserves credit for pivoting and overhauling his staff. 

In eight years at Michigan, Harbaugh has five seasons with at least 10 wins. Although the yearly NFL rumors remain a distraction, the Wolverines don’t look like they’re going to slowdown at all under Harbaugh, either. They bring back a loaded squad in 2023 — with Harbaugh supplementing the depth chart with several key additions from the transfer portal — and will be the favorites to three-peat in the Big Ten. 

While I weigh the present more than the past, Harbaugh’s coaching resume also includes jumpstarting Stanford’s program (12-1 season in his final year) and four years with the San Francisco 49ers where he never had a losing season, played in the NFC Championship Game three times and lost to his brother John Harbaugh in the Super Bowl.

The next three coaches behind Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football are: Ryan Day (Ohio State), Luke Fickell (Wisconsin), and James Franklin (Penn State).



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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