For junior center David Molk, this year might feel a little bit like a second chance.

Before last season, Molk was widely considered one of, if not the best, interior linemen in the Big Ten. And through the Wolverines’ first three games, Molk’s presence was felt immensely as Michigan’s running game played huge parts in its four wins to start the year.

And it was no coincidence that when Molk went down with a broken foot against Eastern Michigan, the Michigan run game fell significantly after that.

At full health, Molk and the Michigan running game was accumulating rush yards at a clip of about 270 yards per game. And excluding the team’s blowout over FCS opponent Delaware State, runners averaged 150 yards less with Molk out of the lineup. And although the team played tougher defenses after Molk went out, 150 yards is too startling to ignore.

So as Molk went down with an ACL tear against Penn State — effectively ending his season — it was pretty clear that the Wolverines’ chances on the ground were pretty shot as well.

But this year, with a stable of capable running backs, Molk is healthy again and will take the reins of an offensive line that could keep Michigan in games this fall.

Alongside Molk will be senior and offensive leader Stephen Schilling, who has been described by many as one of the Wolverines most important assets this season. As the most capable member of the line last season, Schilling gained the trust of his coaches, who have spoken glowingly of him since. If Molk can complement him, Schilling could end the year as an All-Big Ten candidate.

Past them, the Wolverines boast a wealth of young talent that should play a huge part this year.

Specifically, coach Rich Rodriguez had spoken positively of Taylor Lewan, Quinton Washington and Michael Schofield, all of whom redshirted last season, saying that all three will most likely play roles on the line this year. After shedding their high school physiques, the three should provide an athletic trio that will expectedly anchor a talented O-line for the next three years or so.

But of those three, Lewan seems to be the name that’s been buzzing around the program during the spring and summer.

An absolutely monster physically at 6-foot-8 and 283 pounds, Lewan has spurred several, albeit preemptive, comparisons to Wolverine great Jake Long. It’s hard to ignore his size and athleticism, but people are quick to forget that Lewan played only one season in high school on the offensive line and didn’t see any game time last season due to redshirting. Regardless of his inexperience, Lewan’s physical tools aren’t something you see everyday. And if he’s not starting on day one, it’ll be a surprise and a waste of talent.

The other tackle spot will most likely be filled by above-average redshirt junior Mark Huyge. He proved to be serviceable and sometimes more than that as he started nine of the Wolverines’ 12 games last season. Fighting for time will also be senior Perry Dorrestein, but as a full-time starter last season, Dorrestein was mediocre, showing for the first time in many years that the Wolverines were hurting at the offensive tackle spot.

Sophomore Patrick Omameh should fill out the rest of the line at the other guard spot, impressing coaches enough last season to earn significant playing time at the tail end of the season. Omameh is a quick and physical force on the line, and coupled with two stalwarts in Schilling and Molk, the trio should make running up the middle relatively easier than in Michigan’s past two seasons.

For Rodriguez, a wealth of talent on the offensive front can only mean good things, especially with a relatively inexperienced offensive corps. It won’t be the best group up front that the Wolverines have had in our lifetimes, but considering the incredible talent out of the offensive front as of late, that’s not really an insult.

If the Wolverines stay bowl eligible or better, a lot of the credit will be due to this corps up front who, like Molk last season, will have a significant effect on this season’s direction.

Grade: B+

Projected Starters: Taylor Lewan, Stephen Schilling, David Molk, Patrick Omameh, Mark Huyge

Surprise Player: Michael Schofield