Michigan Football’s interior OL battle to take shape during fall camp

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For all the attention surrounding Bryce Underwood this offseason, one of the most important storylines on Michigan’s roster may actually be taking place right in front of him.

The Wolverines enter the new season with one certainty along the interior offensive line. Jake Guarnera has settled in at center, but Nathan Efobi, Brady Norton and several others are competing to determine who lines up alongside him.

After inheriting a unit plagued by injuries and constant lineup changes last season, new offensive line coach Jim Harding’s focus has been identifying the best five offensive linemen regardless of where they started the offseason. As fall camp approaches, that competition appears to be taking shape.

Guarnera appears to be the biggest lock so far. He began last season at guard before moving to center. After briefly considering the transfer portal during Michigan’s coaching transition, he ultimately embraced Harding’s vision and now finds himself leading the offensive line.

The biggest battle comes at the guard spots, where Efobi, Norton and veteran Evan Link have emerged as the leading contenders.

Efobi is an interesting name, having started five games in 2025, including Michigan’s bowl game against Texas. His versatility is also a huge plus. With experience at both guard spots, any offseason work he’s put in on finishing blocks and improving his pass protection will go a long way come Sept. 5 when the season kicks off.

Norton enters fall camp with plenty of momentum as well. The former Cal Poly standout has added more than 30 pounds to his frame since arriving in Ann Arbor and appears to have found his long-term home at guard after spending much of last season serving as Michigan’s sixth offensive lineman. He eventually earned multiple starts before injuries cut down his 2025 campaign, and now he’s got a legitimate opportunity to claim a full-time role.

Link remains one of the more intriguing pieces in the room. After making 18 starts the past two seasons, he enters fall camp as Michigan’s most experienced offensive lineman still competing for a starting job. While he opened the spring at left tackle, Harding has viewed him as a “swing” lineman capable of playing both tackle and guard. That versatility gives Michigan valuable flexibility as the staff searches for its best five.

Link is expected to compete with Andrew Babalola, Blake Frazier and Marky Walbridge at tackle, while also remaining an option on the interior alongside Efobi and Norton. Regardless of where he ultimately lands, his experience and ability to play multiple positions make him a strong candidate to be part of Michigan’s starting offensive line when the season opens.

Last season, injuries forced Michigan to shuffle its offensive line almost weekly, preventing the group from developing chemistry. This offseason, Guarnera has established himself at center, Efobi and Norton have separated themselves in the competition at right guard, and the Wolverines have enough experienced depth to create real competition rather than simply filling holes.

There’s still plenty to work out, but Michigan appears much closer to finding the consistency it lacked a season ago. If the Wolverines can settle on their starting five early and keep them together, the interior offensive line has a chance to become one of the strengths of the offense in 2026.

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