Michigan’s unexpected right guard starter named for 2025 opener, per Sherrone Moore

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

-- There have been very few truly open position battles for Michigan football in fall camp, but the one unit that wasn't completely set was along the offensive line.

Now that it's officially game week, head coach Sherrone Moore didn't obfuscate and instead openly shared who will be starting and where up front on offense.And it turns out there's one surprise.While there were four expected starters on the O-line, the big question mark came at right guard, where Nate Efobi was expected to win the position battle, though he was facing fierce competition from Brady Norton, Lawrence Hattar, and backup center Jake Guarnera.

But, as it turns out, Norton is getting the nod for the season opener with Efobi listed as someone who will play, but it's unclear when and where."Evan Link will start at left tackle.

Gio, one of our captains, will start at left guard.

Greg Crippen will start at center.

The right guard spot, Brady Norton, looks like hell start right now, with Nate Efobi, who is going to play as well.

And right tackle will be Andrew Sprague," Moore said.

"So I feel like were in a good place with those guys.

And weve got guys behind him that can play, you know, Lawrence Hattar, Jake Guarnera, Blake Frazier.

Blake Fraziers going to play.

So we feel like weve got good depth in that group."Norton was expected to be more of a depth piece or future project as he transferred from FCS-level Cal Poly, where he was a starter at tackle.

However, he bulked up, had an entire spring and fall camp to earn the position, and now he's in pole -- even if Efobi is lurching now from behind.Senior center Greg Crippen -- who will be playing alongside Norton against New Mexico -- shared what he saw in fall camp that allowed the transfer to surge into a starting role."Yeah, it's interesting with that -- it's because he came off as a tackle," Crippen said.

"And, obviously our coaches see him playing guard as well.

And he kind of transformed his body a bit, too, because he came in, like, obviously below 300 and now he's a bit above 300.

And just a bunch of muscle mass.

And, yeah, I think he's done a great job at guard.

Just being physical.

And, yeah, I'm really proud of how he's developed the guard."Fans will get to see the new-look offense in action on Saturday, when the Wolverines host New Mexico for the 2025 season opener at The Big House.

Kickoff is slated for a 7:36 p.m.

EDT start.This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigans surprise RG Brady Norton emerges for 2025 season opener.

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