Now with Calvin Anderson out of the mix, who will be Michigan’s left tackle in 2018?

Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines were hoping for good news on Saturday, March 10.

Instead, it was the University of Texas who received that good news, as transfer offensive tackle Calvin Anderson ended his recruitment and committed to the Longhorns Saturday afternoon.

Now Harbaugh and new offensive line coach Ed Warinner will have to develop a left tackle of their own, whether that be someone already on the roster or one of the incoming freshmen. Regardless, there are a few players that have a legitimate shot at winning the job. Let’s go through the players I think have the best chance.

Grant Newsome

Newsome is still battling back from a horrifying leg injury from a game against Wisconsin on Oct. 1, 2016, but he has seen significant improvement since that occurred.

After missing the entire 2017 season, Newsome went through winter conditioning with the team and hoped to have medical clearance by the time spring practice begins on March 23. He is set to meet with doctors before then, and those doctors will make a decision on whether or not he should continue his football playing career.

Needless to say, Newsome is going to be a tough guy to beat for the job if he is medically cleared by the time summer practice rolls around. He started the first five games at left tackle in 2016 before his injury, and did so at a high level. At 6-foot-7 and 318 pounds, he has shown he has the potential to be a stud if he can get past the injury.

James Hudson

Hudson was recruited as a defensive tackle by Greg Mattison, but has since converted to offensive tackle. He redshirted his true freshman season in 2017 and figures to be in the mix for, at the very least, a rotational role in 2018. At 6-foot-5 and 302 pounds, he certainly has the frame to protect the quarterback’s blind spot.

He received high praise from coaches last season, and even has a dose of optimism to go along with that.

“I definitely believe I can be in that starting lineup against Notre Dame,” Hudson said to The Toledo Blade. “That’s what I’m pushing for. My goal for 2018 is to be starting when we go down to South Bend.”

He has the confidence, but will he have the game to get accomplish his 2018 goal?

Chuck Filiaga

Filiaga is another massive body — 6-foot-6, 345 pounds — that has the potential to be one of the starting five on Michigan’s line this season. The only real question is where he would start.

Some analysts and writers think he is best suited for the interior, but I don’t think he would stand much a chance to claim a spot with all the experienced bodies Michigan has on the interior offensive line.

I think he can be a real good tackle, either left or right, and really work some Big Ten defensive ends. He also redshirted this past season and should be ready for a bigger role come this fall. Whether that means he takes reps at left tackle this spring and summer is another thing, but he certainly does have the potential to compete for the job.

Who do you think will be Michigan’s left tackle this year? Be sure to take part in our poll and comment why you voted for your selection.