Name: Zak Zinter
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 320 lbs.
High school: North Andover (MA) Buckingham Browne & Nichols
Position: Center/guard
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #65
Last year: I ranked Zinter #79 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He started four games at right guard.
TTB Rating: 80
Zinter was supposed to redshirt in 2020 - according to me - but that didn't work out. He played some special teams in the first couple games, but then Michigan suffered a spate of injuries on the offensive line. Once right tackle Jalen Mayfield got injured, Michigan bumped starting right guard Andrew Stueber out to right tackle and inserted Zinter. It's noteworthy that Michigan played Zinter rather than a few redshirt freshmen like Trevor Keegan, Trente Jones, Jack Stewart, etc. Zinter played fairly well for a freshman and moved some people, but the line as a whole was a major issue.
This off-season there has been talk that Zinter is Michigan's best offensive player. Even the coaching staff has suggested as much. That might seem like bluster and hype, but why would Michigan talk him up rather than an older guy who's captain material or draft-eligible? We've been burned by the off-season hype machine before, so I'm not ready to say Zinter is the most important offensive player. I also think Michigan has a fair amount of depth on the offensive line. But if Zinter's play can match the hype, I look forward to watching him push people around this fall.
Prediction: Starting right guard
I like the ranking. There's talk that Michigan O is going to emphasize establishing the run. TBD if that means anything. But if it does, having a mean big OL is probably Michigan's best chance to be good on offense. Zinter popping is key to that, depth or not.
ReplyDeleteTalk is Vastardis has been named a captain. Would that imply he's the starting center, and Zinter is backup? Or Vastardis is a starting guard? Is it possible they'd have a captain that's a backup?
ReplyDeleteV is our starting Center, Zinter is our RG
DeleteI'm concerned. V is super smart (reportedly), but not strong or very agile
Maybe Vastardis is better at calling the blocking schemes based on what the defense is showing?
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