ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Ultimately for Michigan football, there are three big questions entering 2025 -- quarterback (which may be solved by Bryce Underwood), wide receiver, and offensive line. The three units are questions and they all work in concert with one another. But if the offensive line is good, then the Wolverines can at least rely on the run game to help the pass game along as it works things out.
Second-year edge rusher Dom Nichols is confident that it won't be a problem in 2025. Nichols has the privilege of facing off against the offensive line daily in practice as an edge rusher. And from what he's seen in spring ball, the group is worlds ahead of where it was at this time last year.
"They're doing well. They're working well," Nichols said. "It's a lot – it's good to see the O-line progressing this year. It's a lot different than last year.
"I'm pretty close with Sprague. He's been doing really well. Babs (Andrew Babalola), it's good to see him come along. He's a young guy. He's a little underweight, but he'll get that weight up, and he's going to be just fine. (Brady) Norton, the transfer, he's good. He's got good feet. There's a couple more, but all those dudes are just working, and they've been getting it better every day just like I have."
While we have our own projected starting five from left to right (Evan Link, Gio El-Hadi, Greg Crippen, Nathan Efobi, Andrew Sprague), there have been positive mentions in spring ball on Cal Poly transfer Brady Norton. A versatile but diminutive lineman compared to the others, Norton can play inside or outside.
Nichols compared what someone like Norton brings to the table, from an edge rusher's standpoint, noting a negative, but also a positive.
"It's just a little easier to get the edge," Nichols said. "His arms aren't as long, but he works his (expletive) off too. So, I mean, it's just as hard as going against Sprague, for sure."
Michigan will showcase its new-look team on April 19 in the annual spring game which is set to take place at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football offensive line 'a lot different' in 2025 per EDGE
