2011 Countdown: #42 Michael Schofield

Michael Schofield (left) is up to 303 lbs. and younger brother Andrew, an offensive lineman for South Dakota, is up to 286
(image courtesy of the Schofield family)

Name: Michael Schofield
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 303 lbs.
High school: Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, IL
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #75
Last year: I ranked Schofield #54 and said he would be a backup right tackle.  He played on special teams in every game and got in at right tackle against Bowling Green.

Schofield has added another ten pounds to his 6'7" frame, and he's finally in the range of an appropriate weight for a guy who's that tall.  So if you're wondering how quickly high school linemen can add 30 pounds, well, here's one who's done it prior to his third year of school (he was 275 as a freshman).  Schofield has been practicing mostly at right tackle the past couple seasons, but there were a couple upperclassmen (Perry Dorrestein, Mark Huyge) standing in his way.

Huyge still looks to block Schofield's path here in 2011.  When starting left tackle Taylor Lewan injured his elbow in the spring, Huyge flipped over to the left side and Schofield drew into the lineup on the right.  The Wolverines only have three scholarship offensive tackles on the roster, so if any injuries crop up for Lewan or Huyge, Schofield might get his first significant taste of action.  However, there's also a chance that if a long-term injury were to occur, right guard Patrick Omameh could bump out to tackle, since he has the height and athleticism to play both positions.  With the depth on the interior (two redshirt junior guards back up two redshirt junior guards), fanning out those upperclassmen might be the best choice.

Prediction: Backup right tackle; special teams contributor