Michigan’s O-line has been catching strays left and right in this transfer portal cycle. It’s like watching your favorite rapper lose back-to-back rap battles—painful and unexpected. Just when Sherrone Moore thought he had a shot at landing some key reinforcements for the trenches, Nebraska and Indiana swooped in and snatched two major targets.

First, Pat Coogan bolted to the Hoosiers, and now Rocco Spindler has packed his bags for Lincoln. That’s two prime linemen gone in a matter of days, leaving Michigan scrambling to figure out their next move. But the real question is—did Michigan push hard for these linemen, or were they just outbid by Nebraska?

Spindler, a former 4-star recruit out of Michigan, was a hot commodity the second he hit the portal after losing Natty. The lineman’s got 23 career starts under his belt at Notre Dame and has only just allowed 2 sacks over 1,325 snaps. That’s elite pocket protection right there. Nebraska, desperate to bulk up its line, wasted no time rolling out the red carpet for him. “Rhule No. 1: Run the Damn Ba-l,” Spindler posted on social media after committing. The message was loud and clear—he’s all in on Matt Rhule’s hot seat vision.

Meanwhile, Michigan was reportedly interested in bringing Spindler in for a visit, but whether they truly put the full-court press on him remains up for debate. Either way, the Wolverines are now left looking for reinforcements while Nebraska flexes its last-minute recruiting win.

Adding to the frustration, Spindler wasn’t just another transfer. The Lineman’s born and raised in Michigan, with deep ties to the state. His dad, Marc Spindler, was a former NFL defensive lineman. And the younger Spindler had the potential to be a homegrown asset for the Wolverines. But instead of staying close to home, he’s taking his talents to the Big Ten West, leaving Michigan fans literally wondering what went wrong. Maybe it was the NIL situation, maybe it was playing time guarantees, or maybe, just maybe, Nebraska just wanted it more.

For Michigan, the O-line situation is a mixed bag. They return some solid pieces like Evan Link at left tackle, Greg Crippen at center, and Giovanni El-Hadi at right guard, but depth is still a concern. They’ve already dipped into the portal to grab Brady Norton from Cal Poly and Lawrence Hattar from Ferris State, but losing out on Spindler stings. And let’s be real—Nebraska getting a former Notre Dame starter is a major flex.

The Huskers bagged big-name targets in the portal, and they closed strong by landing Spindler. That’s the type of move that shifts momentum heading into the 2024 season.

Sherrone Moore’s new 5-star O-line: Ty Haywood?

But just when it looked like Michigan’s O-line woes might linger, reinforcements could be on the way. Enter Ty Haywood—the 5-star offensive lineman who’s set to make his commitment on Monday. And guess what? The Wolverines are leading the race. Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons, two of the top recruiting insiders, have both put in predictions for Haywood to land in Ann Arbor. “Talking to sources around Ty Haywood and talking to sources around Michigan, Texas Tech, Florida State… the three programs that he’s had communication with down the stretch of this process. I still love where the maize and blue… Michigan stands in the recruitment of Ty Haywood,” Wiltfong said. If Michigan closes this deal, that’s a game-changer for Sherrone Moore’s squad.

Haywood isn’t just any recruit—he’s an absolute monster in the trenches. At 6-foot-5, 295 pounds, he’s got the size, agility, and mean streak to be a day-one impact player. Pairing him with Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect and Michigan’s future QB1, would be a recruiting win of epic proportions. Think of it as the college football equivalent of a star-studded blockbuster—Underwood as the franchise QB, Haywood as the dominant protector, and Moore as the director pulling all the strings.

Michigan’s recruiting momentum under Moore is starting low-key to rival anything Jim Harbaugh pulled off. The Wolverines’ 2025 class is already sitting at No. 9 in the nation, and if Haywood commits, they’ll be knocking on the door of a top-five finish. That’s a statement. Losing Spindler and Coogan stings, but landing Haywood? That would be a major counterpunch.

With all the coaching turnover and roster shakeups post-national championship, Michigan fans have been on an emotional rollercoaster. But one thing’s for sure—Moore ain’t letting this program fall off. If Haywood joins the fold, it’ll be another sign that Michigan isn’t just maintaining success; they’re building for the future. The battle for elite linemen is far from over. But if Michigan lands Haywood, it’s a serious flex on the recruiting trail.

So yeah, Nebraska got Spindler. But if Sherrone Moore pulls off this Haywood commitment? That’s the type of move that keeps Michigan in the championship conversation for years to come.