Gophers face major O-line question against Michigan after losing two starters

· Yahoo Sports

Minnesota’s starting center Ashton Beers was ruled out for the season on Wednesday, and last week’s starting left guard Jaden Ball will officially miss this week’s game against Michigan. Longtime offensive line coach Brian Callahan will need to get creative this week against the Wolverines.

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Beers’ absence last week prompted Minnesota to move superstar Greg Johnson from left guard to center, a position he played in 2023. Backup center Brett Carroll would’ve slid into that role, but he suffered a season-ending injury in the spring. That prompted former Purdue transfer Jaden Ball to make his first start with the Gophers at left guard against Michigan. With Ball out of the lineup, left guard becomes a massive question for Minnesota.

Projected starting offensive line

  • LT: Nathan Roy (236 snaps this season)
  • LG: ???
  • C: Greg Johnson (234 snaps)
  • RG: Tony Nelson (212 snaps)
  • RT: Daniel Shipp (206 snaps)

Roy, Johnson, Nelson and Shipp have started every game for the Gophers this season, and they found some rhythm last week against Washington. Minnesota’s depth will now be tested against the Wolverines.

Potential options

  • Bennett Warren

Warren is probably Minnesota’s most experienced and most talented lineman on the bench, but the issue is that he’s 6-foot-7, and he has never played an interior position in his college career. The Gophers would likely have to play him or Shipp out of position if he’s their decision.

  • Jerome Williams

Williams might be their most logical option if they want to play someone who knows the system. He was a four-star prospect in the class of 2023, but there’s probably a reason why he has played just 32 offensive snaps in his entire college career.

  • Mark Handy

This year is Handy’s second in the Minnesota program, and he has played 32 snaps at center this fall. Whether he’s able to move to guard, or he moves to center and Johnson moves back to guard, remains to be seen, but it’s a potential option.

  • Nick Spence

Spence was also a member of the 2025 high school recruiting class, and this is his second season with the Gophers. He played eight snaps at right guard against Eastern Illinois, so he’s an option.

  • Kaveon Lee

The only other offensive lineman on Minnesota’s roster who has seen the field this fall is Lee, who has played 18 offensive snaps at left tackle. Starting a redshirt freshman out of position against Michigan seems unlikely, but still an option.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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