Saturday Blitz
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Michigan Football: 3 upperclassmen who must step up in 2022

By Jacob Bruetsch

Michigan defensive back Gemon Green celebrates with fans as he walks up the tunnel after Michigan's 42-27 win over Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Michigan Stadium.
Michigan defensive back Gemon Green celebrates with fans as he walks up the tunnel after Michigan's 42-27 win over Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Michigan Stadium. /
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Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Trente Jones (53) against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Trente Jones (53) against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Trente Jones, OL

Looking past what happened against Georgia, Michigan had the best offensive line in college football last year. Only three of their five starters will be returning, after losing tackle Andrew Stueber and center Andrew Vastardis.

The replacement at center seems to be solidified, with All-American transfer Olusegun Oluwatimi coming in from Virginia. Right tackle isn’t as solidified, but it appears it will be filled by senior Trente Jones who is a former top 150 recruit who played in just one game his first two seasons but played every game of 2021 as Michigan’s sixth lineman in jumbo sets. He also served as Stueber’s backup, and took reps at RT when games got out of hand.

Stueber was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season and will be tough to replace, and Jones is the one guy that could be labeled as a potential weak point on this offensive line.

However, he has the talent and has amassed enough experience to the point where he can be a solid member of the offensive line. He just has to be able to put it together and do so consistently to allow the unit to prosper.

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