When your college football program has more wins than any other team in the history of the sport, then you have certainly had your share of great offensive linemen walk through the door. Let’s take a look at the best of the best to ever line up in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball in Ann Arbor.
Greatest Michigan Offensive Linemen Of All Time
Reggie McKenzie
Playing guard at Michigan for three years under legendary coach Bo Schembechler probably endeared Reggie to Bo about as much as anyone could. A three-year starter for the Wolverines. McKenzie was also a consensus All-American in 1971.
Michigan was also the best rushing team in the country while McKenziewas there. And that is simply not a coincidence as the Wolverines rushed for over 250 yards per game one of those years and over 300 yards per game in 1971. We have Reggie listed as the greatest offensive lineman to ever play for Michigan.
Steve Hutchinson
After starting his career in Ann Arbor on the defensive line, Steve Hutchinson was quickly moved over to the offensive line where he excelled at guard. In fact, his first season was capped off with a national championship win against Washington State.
Among his many accolades, Hutchinson started at guard all four seasons in Ann Arbor, was all BIG Ten for each of those four seasons, was named a team captain twice, and was twice named an All-American. This puts Hutchinson easily among the top five best offensive linemen in school history.
Dan Dierdorf
While at Michigan, Dan Dierdorf had the privilege of playing for head coaches Bump Elliott and Bo Schembechler. In fact, Elliott thought that Dierdorf was the most talented offensive lineman he had ever seen. We’re not doubting that Bo had a soft spot in his heart for the big man either.
Dierdorf also exhibited great versatility in college as he frequently switched between playing left and right tackle. While this may seem easier than playing quarterback it is by no means an easy task. Dierdorf also received all BIG Ten status and first-team All-American awards during his time at Michigan. Any list of the top offensive linemen in Michigan football history without his name on it would be incomplete.
Taylor Lewan
Standing at 6’7” tall and weighing 309 lbs, Taylor Lewan was one of the most imposing physical specimens to ever appear on campus in Ann Arbor. Lewan also had a mean streak which resulted in a lot of penalties early in his college career. This contributed to his not being closer to the top of our list of the greatest linemen ever to play for the Wolverines.
However, his talent was simply unmistakable. Lewan was a two-time first team All American selection during his time in Ann Arbor. He was also the 11th overall pick in the NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans. Lewan also had a long and successful NFL career which was also marred by outbursts of bad temper. Regardless he was without question one of the top five offensive linemen in Michigan football history.
Matt Elliott
Matt Elliott is another versatile offensive lineman who played for Michigan. He played equally as well at center as he did at guard nearing the end of coach Schembechler’s career.
In addition to making First-Team All-American in his senior year, Elliott also has the unusual distinction of being named MVP of the Gator Bowl game against Florida. For an offensive lineman to be a bowl game MVP is not something that happens very often but Elliott did it. His aforementioned versatility also cements his status as one of the greatest offensive linemen ever at Michigan.
There you have our list of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play for Michigan. Did we miss anyone? Do you agree? That’s why debating the best of the best is always so much fun.
