PASADENA — It has been a long time coming for Trente Jones, a fifth-year senior for the Maize and Blue who is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. Monday, during an iconic Michigan football Rose Bowl win that will go down in program and college football history as one of the most exciting games ever played, Jones got his second start of the year with Karsen Barnhart moving to guard in place of the injured Zak Zinter. In one of the most iconic stadiums, with the national title game berth on the line against Alabama, it appears that the Wolverines have a star in the making along its impressive offensive line.
Michigan football Rose Bowl win shows U-M has a star in the making
Michigan football has forged a unique path to success when it comes to the offensive side of football — one that no one really saw coming, and teams are still figuring out how to stop. Instead of flashy skill players, the Wolverines lean on an elite offensive line, though against Ohio State, things became uncertain as captain and All-American guard Zak Zinter went down with a scary injury.
With Zinter out for the year, offensive tackle Karsen Barnhart was moved to right guard in his place, leaving fifth-year Wolverine Trente Jones — a less-known name for the Maize and Blue — at right tackle.
Right off the bat, it was clear that Jones had the potential to keep Michigan’s O-line among the nation’s elite; however, after the line stuttered in the Big Ten title game, things became increasingly unclear for the Rose Bowl Game against a dangerous Alabama defensive line. In fact, throughout the week, Michigan’s offensive line members, as well as offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, would not reveal today’s starting five against the Crimson Tide.
Trente Jones fills in for a wounded offensive line, shines on biggest stage
When the Wolverines took the field, it was Trente Jones and Karsen Barnhart on the right side of the line again, where the two plowed their way into Michigan football history, helping U-M to a 27-20 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl and punching the program’s ticket to the national title game next weekend. After the game, I had a chance to speak with the Wolverines’ rising star right tackle.
“I wouldn’t say I’m an underdog,” Trente Jones told me. “I did have some ups and downs — I started a few games, got hurt, came back. But at the end of the day, I’ve always been me, and you know, (Michigan) giving me this extra opportunity to come out and play for the winged helmet — it’s just a blessing.
“I would never change any of it. I love Coach (Jim) Harbaugh, I love Coach (Sherrone) Moore, and at the end of the day, I’m doing it for Zak Zinter. That’s my guy, I love that guy; he’s my brother.”
Michigan football Rose Bowl win sends Wolverines to national title game
The Michigan football offensive line standout then had a chance to break down some of his performance against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Like any great competitor, Jones knows there are things to work on heading into the national title game, though he’s pleased with how things turned out all said and done.
“I feel like I made mistakes here and there, but at the end of the day, we won as a unit — we won as a team,” Jones told me. “And that’s really more important than any individual success or reward.”
Trente Jones may be a fifth-year senior, but he has one more year left with Michigan football if he chooses to take it. Of course, Karsen Barnhart and others will not be coming back, so the Wolverines could use Jones around, but he isn’t thinking about any decisions like that just yet — he and his team have a national title to win.
“Really right now I’m focused on the natty,” Trente Jones said. “After the natty, I’ll (make a decision), but as of right now, I have no idea (if I’m coming back in 2024).”
The Rose Bowl game is where college football legends are made, and while Trente Jones is still building a reputation on the gridiron right now, he appears to be a star in the making for Michigan football heading into the national title game.
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