It’s not every day you see a dude built like a human skyscraper—6’8”, 320 pounds—shaking up the college football world. But here we are, scrolling through January’s portal madness, and one name is stirring the pot like Thanksgiving gravy. Michigan Wolverines, USC, Vanderbilt, and a few other big dogs are circling like sharks, ready to snag the next big O-line anchor. But hold up; the story’s just heating up. The Wolverines and Sherrone Moore, fresh off a rollercoaster season with 8-5, are now flexing their transfer portal muscles to rebuild a fresh, nasty offensive line. And they’re coming in hot.

Enter Shiyazh Pete, the 320-pound giant from New Mexico State. This guy is the textbook definition of a portal prize. Pete’s a hot commodity right now, with offers rolling in from Michigan, Oklahoma State, USC, Kentucky, Iowa State, Stanford, and more. Word on the street is he’s already checked out Oklahoma State and Vanderbilt. Seems like Vanderbilt might have a slight edge over Michigan at the moment. But don’t count out the Michigan Wolverines’ game. Sherrone Moore and his squad have a way of sweet-talking big fellas into Ann Arbor.

Pete’s size isn’t just for show. He’s a legit difference-maker. The Wolverines, who boast a long tradition of dominating in the deep trenches, know he could plug into Sherrone Moore’s system real fast and make waves. With a squad aiming to maintain their O-line dominance. Pete might just be the missing piece to keep their offense rolling.

Here’s the deal: what makes all this click is Sherrone Moore’s Midas touch when it comes to grooming O-lines. Yeah, the 2024 squad is pretty much a clean slate right now, but the Wolverines aren’t losing any sleep over it. They’ve got upperclassmen like Myles Hinton, Josh Priebe, and Giovanni El-Hadi holding it down. These big boys bring the experience and leadership to get things popping right out of the gate. And if Moore’s resume tells us anything, this crew will be big-time wrecking defenses and owning the trenches by mid-season—or even sooner.

Michigan Wolverines’ O-line in the transfer portal

Michigan’s offensive line rebuild isn’t relying on one big fish, though. They’ve already netted two solid additions in the portal: Lawrence Hattar and Brady Norton. Hattar, a Division II standout from Ferris State, brings size (6’5”, 335 pounds) and experience, having played 27 games in four seasons. He’s got just one year of eligibility left but could be an instant plug-and-play option.

Meanwhile, Norton, a sneaky-good pickup from Cal Poly, comes with a serious upside. Literally rated as the top pass-blocker in the FCS by PFF, this guy isn’t just a body to fill space—he’s got skills. Michigan wasted no time locking him down, ensuring he’ll have at least two years to make an impact. And let’s be real, the fact that Norton’s versatile enough to play both tackle and interior? That’s a coach’s dream.

Here’s the kicker: if Pete chooses Michigan, it won’t just be a win for their depth chart; it’ll send a message. The Wolverines aren’t just rebuilding—they’re reloading. Adding a guy like Pete, who’s already turning heads in the portal, would cement Michigan’s O-line as a force to be reckoned with, even with fresh faces in the starting lineup. And if Pete ends up donning the maize and blue.

The Wolverines might just have found the cornerstone for their next championship push with Bryce Underwood. Stay tuned, folks. This transfer portal drama is just getting started before it’s about to end. And Michigan’s O-line is shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest stories.