Behold the glory that is OL depth

Wow, we have a 2 deep for the first time in what, 6 years?

Great, now how do we keep each and every guy content with his role on the team?  #SabanProblems

I don't see why it's a long shot that mags or braden moves to RT and Schofield goes back inside.

It will be nice to be more than a twisted ankle away from seeing Devin run for his life every snap. Ahhhhh, bliss!

If I were a betting man I'd think Kugler can beat out Glasgow and Burzynski for the #2 spot by the end of fall camp.  I think he'll challenge Miller for the starting spot by the end of the year.  I think the only thing holding him back would be the knowledge of line adjustments.

comes out tomorrow

What are those things under the starters? Recruits or something?

Schofield was LG, not RG. He played beside Taylor. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Kugler starts from Day 1. From all accounts he was a flat out stud in the all-star game.

2014 looking like WR is going to be dicey. Heres hoping to someone stepping up in 2013 and alleviating that concern. We can haz depth, on both sides of the ball....? nice.

Best thing about depth is that you get 2-3 guys fighting it out for the starting spot so you know the starter has earned it and has real potential... rather than one guy, no matter how "average" getting the start because there are no other options.

At Center:   Miller, Bars, or Kugler

At RG:   Bryant or Bosch

Whoever starts against CMU isn't set for 14 games... it will be a battle all season for these guys.  That will make them better, meaner, and hungrier.

In 2014, Hoke should  just throw all 13 of his 4-5 star OL into a Thunderdome and see which 5 walk out.   I bet BTN would pick it up and show it in early August.  

I'm looking forward to finding our running game again under these starters. Next year our backs first contact will be the linebackers after a 3-4 yard gain instead of running into our own linemen being thrown back into them.

Remember the first snap of the first game this year, when their OL pushed back our DL off the ball a whole yard with a loud WHUMP?

I hope that will be our OL next year.

that Braden will start at right tackle and make that his position for a very long time. Don't have the link, but look at his picture from the Big House Barbeque and consider those who believe he is under rated.  

Does anybody else think Kugler could step in and start from Day 1?  

At center you don't need to have the same physical "rediness" as you do tackle or guard.  He's already bigger, and can't be much weaker (if at all) than Jack Miller.  Sure, he'll need to master the mental and technique part of the game but his situation makes it reasonable.  His technique is already very good.  

Let's say Hoke or Funk give him a call and tells him to come ready to be in the mix for the starting nod.  He watches tons of flim as a center, begins working with Pops on some center specific stuff, and hones his technique.  Arrives in Ann Arbor in May ready to continue to build his body and workout with his teammates.  Strong fall camp, and I think he could be our guy.   We all agree that his potential is greater than that of Jack Miller.  His pedigree could help him be a better option to start sooner rather than later.

Ultimately I think and hope that Jack Miller earns the job and plays well.  I just wouldn't be surprised to see Kugler in there from Day 1.  

I thought Dawson was going to be moving over to center?

I would also expect that Kugler rockets up the depth chart faster than any other freshmen based on his position, his talent, his physical development, and his background.  I think as such he'll probably burn his red-shirt next year. 

He could even get in the mix at RG if he's as good as we think.  However, I would expect that Miller gets every chance to succeed before they turn to Kugler.  Miller has a good reputation and is a true-center who's been in the system for two years already.  The only knock against him is size, which we'll now have at every other position on the line. 

I have high hopes for Miller.....but I do wonder why he didn't get any playing time at center this year given that Mealer wasn't having a stellar year. 

I am sure kugler will be great for us, but i feel like you should never want a true freshman on the line. they need that redshirt year to learn the system and develop.

How about guys like Ben Pliska, Dan Gibbs, Kristian Mateus and Erik Gunderson? Are any of these guys expected to contribute anytime in the future or are they just roster fillers?

Yes, it is great that our scholarship numbers are up on the OL, but most (if not all) of the freshman are going to red-shirt, so they're not really contributing to functional depth. (Especially true if the walk-ons are as good as people want them to be.)

There's 8 non-freshman scholarship players, only one more than last year. We lose 3, gain 4 -- not a big change.  A true freshman could help, and we now have 5 instead of 4, but that doesn't move the needle dramatically.  Furthermore, when you consider that most of these guys haven't played yet, there's a decent chance that one or two are going to be busts who can't perform at a Mealer/Burzynski level.  Finally, Michigan has been extremely lucky with avoiding OL injuries the last few years.  As soon as the first injury hits - we're back to where we were - an injury away from some significant problems.  Not Denard to Bellomy problems, but problems nonetheless.

Regarding who starts:  I don't think shifting Schofield back to guard is a longshot at all. They'll put the best 5 on the field. I'm guessing it's 3 guys battling for 2 starting spots:  Braden, Bryant, and Kalis.

At center, I think there is a lot of uncertainty.  Burzynski will start ahead of Miller, is my guess.  Not likely, but Kugler could be the rare true freshman starter, given the alternatives.  If all 3 of the above are playing up to their talent levels, they might even try Kalis at C.  One thing is clear:  Miller didn't earn the coach's trust in '12.  Maybe that will change, maybe it won't.

I don't get all the "Kugler playing a a true freshmen talk."  Does anyone here honestly want an undersized true freshmen playing arguably the most important position on the line?  Miller most likely didnt play last year due to lack of size, and Kugler would have the same problem.  If anything, Bosch is probably closer to playing time than him,  But again, Kalis didnt play as a Frosh, I doubt any of the incoming guys will

With the return of Lewan, I wouldn't trade M's OL for any in the country. OL is going to be a strength next season and for years to come.