Max Bredeson Has High Praise for Michigan Offensive Line

For a program that has captured back-to-back Joe Moore Awards and powered its way to three straight Big Ten titles, the Michigan offensive line standard is sky high. That hasn’t changed heading into 2025 — in fact, if you ask Max Bredeson, the bar might be going even higher.

“The standard of Michigan, going back-to-back Joe Moore awards to the National Championship all-line, that bar is high,” Bredeson said. “But it’s not a group that wants to get to the bar. It’s a group that wants to push the bar even higher.”

Michigan returns multiple players with starting experience up front, giving the unit a continuity edge that was missing a year ago. Bredeson believes that time on task will pay dividends this fall.

“Veteran football players mean a lot. The more snaps you play in college, the better. One game snap is seven practice,” he said. “I count Gio (El-Hadi) as a starter last year, so he was able to help out with that. When you have a whole line who’s played, and more importantly played together, that’s the biggest piece is having time on task with each other. That really carries along better.”

One name Bredeson highlighted was Greg Crippen, a center who has waited his turn behind All-Americans like Olu Oluwatimi and Drake Nugent. Now, he’s ready to lead.

“He’s another guy who wants to push that bar. He’s gotten to see what the best guys look like,” Bredeson said. “He’s all about not just trying to be another Michigan center. He wants to be one of those in that same caliber.”

With new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey stepping in and head coach Sherrone Moore continuing to emphasize line play, the Wolverines are doubling down on their physical identity.

For the Michigan offensive line, it’s not about replicating the past. It’s about building a legacy — and according to Bredeson, this group is built to do just that.