The Wolverines have won two of the last three Joe Moore trophies, and the one year they did not win, they won the
national championship. Sherrone Moore had been the driving force behind the development of that unit, but now
that he is the new head coach at Ann Arbor, he has hired Grant Newsome, another rising star in the coaching field, as
the new offensive line coach.
The former Wolverine offensive lineman had been on staff in various capacities throughout the years, but he has
returned to his origins and is targeting many of the nation’s best linemen.
On Tuesday, he made an offer to Phenix City (Ala.) Central’s 2025 offensive tackle, Mal Waldrep.
“Coach Newsome called me and asked about my family and how I was doing, then informed me that I had an offer
from them,” Waldrep told The Michigan Insider. “I’m just grateful to be in the situation I am. It means a lot, and I’m
grateful to be in this position.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder is looking forward to developing a relationship with offensive line coach Grant Newsome,
who made a strong first impression.
“I think he is a very humble, down to earth guy and he seems to really know what he’s doing with coaching,” said
Waldrep. “I feel like I can relate to him because he is a younger coach.”
Waldrep has already had offers from several major programs, including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida
State, Georgia, Kentucky, Miami, Ole Miss, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others.
With his most recent suitor, he’s still getting to know Michigan, but he’s aware of what they’ve generated and
accomplished thus far.
“All I really know is that they won the national championship this year and produce some bada*s offensive linemen
haha,” Waldrep went on to say. “They play dominantly and aggressively up front. I believe that is a large part of why
they were able to finish the year as they did.”
Looking ahead, the Yellowhammer State standout intends to visit Ann Arbor and learn more about the Wolverines.
