Body transformations are a regular offseason occurrence across college football. In Ann Arbor, Michigan football players work closely with strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert to slim down or beef up.
It pays dividends on the field, but some fans don’t like waiting that long to see the results. That’s why the annual roster update is so revealing. Fresh height and weight listings reveal who made physical strides during the offseason, often a precursor to a breakout season. The Wolverines released their updated roster. Here are some of the standout changes:
- Junior DL Mazi Smith: 6-foot-3, 326 lbs (+21 lbs)
- Sophore OL Zak Zinter: 6-foot-6, 320 lbs (-14 lbs)
- Fifth-year DL Jess Speight: 6-foot-5, 310 lbs (+20 lbs)
- Sophomore TE Matthew Hibner: 6-foot-4 (+1 inch), 244 lbs (+11 lbs)
- Junior DL Gabe Newburg: 6-foot-5, 251 lbs (-14 lbs)
After adding more than 20 pounds of weight, Smith could be a factor at nose tackle for Michigan this coming year. The former four-star prospect didn’t do much in his first two years in Ann Arbor, but he’s one to keep an eye on this fall. Zinter, on the other hand, slimmed down by nearly 15 pounds. That should help him get quicker on his feet as he projects to start as an interior offensive lineman. And while Erick All should get the nod as the Wolverines’ starting tight end, Hibner’s growth spurt and additional weight could help him establish a role behind him.
Recruiting News
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