After winning the Joe Moore Award in back-to-back from 2021-22, Michigan\u2019s offensive line play has been less than ideal over the last couple seasons. Despite having a head coach that built those top line classes, the Wolverines were not as dominant and were beaten because of it. However, the 2026 team will feature a more experienced offensive line than in recent seasons, and it will be coached by one of the best in the business.<\/p>\n
New head coach Kyle Whittingham brought over offensive line coach Jim Harding with him from Utah, arguably one of the biggest additions to the entire program. The hope is he is able to replicate what he accomplished with the Utes, developing first-round offensive linemen. The challenge was a few of Michigan\u2019s top guys had entered the transfer portal, so Harding quickly went to work convincing them to stay.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Coach Harding, obviously you see the success he had last year with the two tackles, Caleb and Spencer, and just how they\u2019re going to fare in the draft this year,\u201d center Jake Guarnera recently told the media.<\/a> \u201cI wanted to play for a coach that gets guys that are not as highly rated \u2014 I think he said he only had six to eight four-stars ever recruited \u2014 and to have two first-rounders this year speaks to his development. That\u2019s someone I want to play for.\u201d<\/p>\n Guarnera was an All-Big Ten selection during his first season as a starter at right guard for the Wolverines in 2025. He finished the year as the highest-graded<\/a> Michigan offensive lineman on Pro Football Focus (69.5 overall grade). When Whittingham and Harding arrived in Ann Arbor, they were immediately struck by Guarnera\u2019s football IQ and leadership. And after working with him for a few months, Whittingham officially declared him as the starting center on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he\u2019s the center,\u201d Whittingham told the media. \u201cHe\u2019s had a terrific spring and really, probably the leader of that offensive line is Jake.\u201d<\/p>\n