Michigan's offensive line should be a 'cornerstone' next year
Mark Huyge started 9 games for Michigan this year between right guard and right tackle, but the redshirt sophomore finished the season as the No. 1 backup at both positions.
“I had an OK season, but obviously there’s a lot, lot to work on,” Huyge said earlier this week during a charity appearance at The Salvation Army of Washtenaw County. “Just from overall technique to strength, just trying to get better so next year we’ll be in a good bowl game.”
Michigan offensive lineman Mark Huyge hauls a box filled with food off the pile to give to one of the many recipients of the Washtenaw County Salvation Army's Angel Tree Toy Drive on Wednesday.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
For now, Huyge is projected as a starter on a line that might finally be an asset next year.
Left tackle Mark Ortmann and jack-of-all-trades David Moosman graduate, but center David Molk - Michigan’s best lineman - should return from a torn ACL and Steve Schilling is an anchor at left guard.
That leaves Huyge, swing tackle Perry Dorrestein and redshirt freshman Patrick Omameh penciled in at 3 positions, with John Ferrara and a trio of promising freshmen also in the mix.
Dorrestein started 8 of the final 9 games at right tackle after injuries to Molk (foot and knee) forced Huyge to move to guard. Huyge returned to tackle when a back injury knocked Dorrestein out of the Purdue game, but his replacement, Omameh, played well enough at guard that he started the final 3 games.
Huyge likely will open spring practice at right tackle, with Dorrestein on the left side, but he said his ultimate position doesn’t matter as long as he has a chance to get on the field.
“I think we’ll be better (as an offensive line), as good if not better than this past year,” Huyge said. “Some of us will have a couple years in the system and I think we’ll be ready to go.”
And they’ll be pushed.
The 3 linemen in Michigan’s 2009 recruiting class - Taylor Lewan, Michael Schofield and Quinton Washington - all drew rave reviews at times this fall for their work on the scout team.
“Quinton’s going to be great,” Moosman said. “He’s a big, strong kid. Lewan and Schofield can really move. Lewan’s sort of got the pass pro down, he needs a little work on his run. Quinton’s got the run down, needs to work on his pass, but that’s to be expected. They’re definitely going to work on that in the offseason.”
The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Washington is the strongest of the bunch and will push for playing time at guard, while Schofield (6-6, 268) and Lewan (6-7, 268), who has the best feet, still need to add bulk but could be in the mix at tackle.
Huyge said all three will “be definitely competing for starting spots next year,” so the line should be better as a whole.
“We’d like to think will be a good cornerstone,” he said.
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
Wow, here it is Oct. 13, 2011 and AA.com has put up a link to this 2-year old story! Fantastic look-back at the Depths of RR's Dark Ages!! RR is GONE, new Head Coach Brady Hoke has the 2011 Wolverines at 6-0 with 2 wins in the Big 10! RichRod was fired in December 2010, a year after this article and the comments appeared. Facing MSU in two days: this is NOT going to be a repeat of the pathetic last 3 years for Michigan Football. Who is "Tate Forcier?" The GREAT quarterback for the 2011 Wolverines is named Denard Robinson who is in his junior year. He already holds Michigan QB records and is adding more with almost every game! BTW: I understand the reason for the link-back: it's because the Oct.13, 2011 edition of annarbor.com carries a wonderful story about Mark Huyge - who is mentioned in THIS older story. Thanks, annarbor.com for giving some of us this trip back in time - even though it was a TERRIBLE TIME for Michigan Football and Michigan fans. Now, back to the future!! Go Blue!
Sean T.
Mon, Dec 21, 2009 : 11:27 p.m.
I have to agree GoBluein_NE_PA! I don'yt believe it will happen with him(RR) at the helm.
GoblueinNE_PA
Mon, Dec 21, 2009 : 12:54 p.m.
Sean T. If that's all we accomplish next year, then RR should be gone. He needs 9 wins minimum to stay.
Sean T.
Sun, Dec 20, 2009 : 6:05 a.m.
Big change starts in the trenches! I'm not quite sure that the O-line will be better even with some of the gained experience but at least they have a shot. The second concern should be the entire defense but I just lack the faith in the coaching staff to assemble a quality defense at all. Let's hope for the best and shoot for 3 Big Ten wins and to run through the non-conference schedule. Go Blue!
ChelseaBob
Sat, Dec 19, 2009 : 11:54 a.m.
Save this article for next fall when RR starts saying "we don't have the talent we need yet...". We'll be lucky if he gets us to.500 and the scandals won't stop while he is here. If the admin was really paying attention we could have had Harbaugh and we'd start the healing now. Instead, we'll wait a year and see who's available.
rightmind250
Sat, Dec 19, 2009 : 9:13 a.m.
Typical Tater spouting that 9-3 crap. I remember you saying that the past 2 years. UM must win more than 1 B10 game just to get to 6-6 and bowl eligible. That is obviously more realistic. The D will suck once again. Speaking of the O-line, they have zero depth. Plus, the number 1 running back is about the size of my 12 year old daughter. The QB has toothpicks for arms. Good job Barwis. Lighten up on the smokes and caffiene or you will be out the door with richrod at the end of 2010. Anytime UM had to throw deep they had to put the other little QB in to throw it. D-rob was at least 50-50. Half his passes were intercepted. Now if anything I said is made up, let me know Tater.
InRichRodWeTrust
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 : 5:43 p.m.
I think they are going to dramatically improve next year. Everyone forgets that RichRod made the big jump in his 2nd year at WV because his QB was in his 2nd year. Michigan Wolverines video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7mSdcMTulM
GoblueinNE_PA
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 : 5:33 p.m.
God, I hope the line turns around. It was simply awful last year. Tate caught a lot of flack for being so flightly, but the kid was running for his life most of the time. Even early in the season when Molk was still in, Tate was constantly scrambling. Everyone seems to forget how he had to run around like a mad man against ND on that last drive. Throw in the fact that we couldn't get a consistent push up front for the running game and it's obvious that they need help. I hope one of those kids can replace Dorrestein, he's horrible.
wersch213
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 : 3:36 p.m.
The scout team/redshirts are a big asset that has gone under the radar this year...as it probably should have. It is very exciting to see crop after crop of talent develope season to season. I am really starting to appreciate and embrace this building process. It is very encouraging to see the cream rise to the top on the field and in the classroom. Those Who Stay Will Be Champions...that goes for players and FANS alike.
tcmaizefan
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 : 3:06 p.m.
At this point, I would be happy with the Insight Bowl or Gator Bowl next season. The BCS and Big Ten Championship should always be the goal. Here is the Big Ten's Bowl Allignment for next season: ---BCS/Rose (Pasadena) ---Capital One (Orlando) ---Outback (Tampa) ---Insight (Tempe; Rotates each yr w/Gator) ---Gator (Jacksonville) ---Texas (Houston) ---Dallas Classic (Dallas)
81wolverine
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 : 3:04 p.m.
Hopefully, Molk will be healthy and stay healthy next season. That will be critical for Michigan. Also, we need to develop a backup center just in case. Raiding other positions on the line to fill Molk's spot was a HUGE problem last season. Schilling has been solid, but not the All Big Ten player people expected given his performance at the high school level. Hopefully, he'll kick butt his senior year. The development of the younger players will be a key too. Michigan needs quality depth. What about some of the other young OL players: Ricky Barnum, Rocko Khoury, Bryant Nowicki, etc? BTW, Nowicki has to be the tallest player I've ever seen at Michigan!
garrisondyer
Fri, Dec 18, 2009 : 1:29 p.m.
I hope Huyge meant the Rose Bowl when he mentioned "a good bowl game."