ANN ARBOR >> After back-to-back Joe Moore Awards as the nation’s top offensive line in 2021 and 2022, Michigan was a semifinalist in 2023. Last season, however, was a different story.

With first-year offensive line coach Grant Newsome tasked to rebuild a depleted line that would ultimately go through several iterations because of injuries, the Wolverines struggled in 2024. The line isn’t the only reason Michigan finished ranked 129th nationally in offense (282.2 yards) and 113th in scoring (22 points), but consistent line play is a major assist for consistent offensive production.

“Last year was unacceptable,” returning starting guard Gio El-Hadi said Wednesday of the offensive line play. “Toward the end of the season, we jelled together, we played the way that we were supposed to, but there’s no more of that (inconsistent play). We’re going to play to our absolute best and show the country that we’re one of the best offensive lines.”

Offensive linemen don’t make a habit of stating their importance, but it’s clear they’re more than aware how much the starting five can steer an offense and set the tone. El-Hadi said the group embraces the challenge.

“It feels good to be depended on, because if you don’t have a great O-line, we likely won’t have a great team,” El-Hadi said.

Newsome said he learned plenty about himself during Michigan’s 8-5 season, one where the Wolverines were on the verge of not making a bowl game before a finish that included an upset of Ohio State. Newsome played on the Wolverines’ offensive line before a gruesome leg injury cut short his playing career. He was a graduate assistant at Michigan, then coached the tight ends before taking over as offensive line coach when Sherrone Moore, who had coached the line the previous three seasons, became head coach.

Newsome self-scouted after last season, and he started to think how he could better help the players. He realized he needs to allow them to have more fun.

Having that approach allows the players to avoid overthinking and dwelling on mistakes. Sure, they need to fix issues that happen in game, but he doesn’t want them to become like a MLB hitter in a rut who then starts pressing at the plate. He stressed they need to have short memories if a mistake is made.

“The thing I learned is, we can’t compound that,” Newsome said. “We’ve got to find that balance and get those guys up confidence-wise, fun-wise when it’s not going the best.”

Starting left tackle Myles Hinton and left guard Josh Priebe have moved on and await the NFL Draft, so Newsome will have some decisions to make. Michigan is about midway through spring practice and Newsome isn’t prepared to name a starting five. Right now, he has six, seven, even eight players he feels good about playing, and he wants to get that total to 10.

Michigan returns three players with significant starting time in tackle Evan Link, center Greg Crippen and El-Hadi, who moved to right guard to make room for Priebe at left guard but is back on the left side again. El-Hadi said he asked to make the move and that left guard feels more natural to him. Also back is Andrew Sprague, who started at right tackle in the bowl game against Alabama, while Link, who spent much of the season at right tackle, played on the left side.

There’s still plenty of time until the start of next season, but El-Hadi said regardless of who starts, the offensive line has its goal.

“We’re going to be nasty,” El-Hadi said. “We’re going to impose our will like we know we can. I can’t cuss, but we’re not going to take anything from any team. We’re not going to worry about nothing but doing our jobs and doing it till the whistle blows.”