All wrapped up? Michigan OL coach names leader in right tackle battle

There may be some lingering questions as to who will be the starting quarterback for Michigan heading into the 2022 season.

It doesn’t appear that there are really any questions as to who will start at right tackle, though.

With the Wolverines heading into the 2nd week of preseason camp, offensive line coach Sherrone Moore, also the team’s co-offensive coordinator, raved on Sunday about what he has seen from Trente Jones, who earned a pair of starts in 2021 — including in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Georgia.

Per MLive’s Aaron McMann, Moore stated that Jones “ended the spring as the starter and started camp as the starter”:

Moore, who is expected to be a bigger part of the play-calling process this fall, told the media that Jones has had “an outstanding four days” and called him a “really good player.”

Jones, who’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 311 pounds this year, worked his way into playing time last fall as a rotational lineman, earning snaps late in games and as a sixth lineman in jumbo sets.

As for Karsen Barnhart, a fellow senior with plenty of experience up front, Moore stated that there could still be a role for him despite the other OL spots appearing to be set:

As things stand currently, Barnhart remains in the mix for the starting job — “made tremendous strides,” Moore says — but projects more as a sixth lineman or reserve player given his versatility.

“He’s right there,” Moore continued. “He’s done a heck of a job. He’ll play for us this year, and he’s a guy that can play on either side.”

We’ll see what ultimately happens, but at least for now, the job appears to be Jones’ to lose.

Sydney Hunte