University of Michigan 2019 Offensive Line NFL Draft Class

The offensive line squad of the Michigan Wolverines in 2019 was generational. The Wolverines went 9-4, but the O-line crew came together late in the year. Two of the players got All-Big 10 honors. The other two linemen were also given honors. The NFL draft following had four offensive linemen drafted. Being a high-level college player and being a full-time pro are different. First, it’s not like Michigan had a single offensive linemen drafted in an NFL draft of only 35 O-linemen, a draft of 150 D-1 schools at least. All four of those linemen were drafted, and are still on an NFL roster, five years later. This is part of my series of Squads of the Gods, a look-back to the draft, five years later.

Recruiting

This offensive line class came in with high expectations. Cesar Ruiz was the top-ranked center in his class and chose Michigan over 30 other offers. Also, Michael Onwemu joined in from Detroit, and Ben Bredeson from high school in Wisconsin.

In 2019, The Michigan Wolverines Bredeson and Jon Runyan Jr. earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. The offensive line excelled all season, but really gelled toward the yard end, were veterans that became draft eligible. The Big 12 is known for the running game.  A 9-4 record is not great for a Michigan team, but the line gelled late. The core of the line, Cesar Ruiz, center, and Onwemu, right guard, allowed only 1 quarterback sacks.

According to ESPN 2020 draft page, Ruiz was drafted in the first round, 29, to the New Orleans Saints. The Baltimore Ravens chose Ben Bredesen, G, 37th in the 4th round. The New England Patriots chose Onwemu 33rd in the 6th round. Runyan Jr. (6th round, 192nd overall, Green Bay Packers) making it a four-selection draft for this exceptional O-line squad.

NFL Career

Currently, Runyan Jr. is a free agent signing for the New York Giants. Ruiz is still with the Saints.  According to Saints Wire, “His 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade from Week 8 through the end of the regular season finished inside the top 20 at the position after he allowed just one sack and a 2.2% pressure rate.”

Bredeson signed a new 3-year deal with Tampa Bay. According to ESPN,” Bredeson, 27, posted a run block win rate of 70.5% — 19th among guards in the NFL with 1,000 or more offensive snaps — and a pass block win rate of 91.6% in 2024, which was 17th in the league. He surrendered 10 total sacks, tied for 22nd in the league. “The Patriots still use Michael Onwemu, now entering his sixth year with the team.

This squad of the Gods was truly generational… in its excellence and its longevity, each of the players entering their sixth pro season. The average length of an offensive lineman’s career is only 3.63 years. Check back here to read my article in the unit of Memphis running back U of 2019-21. And there will be other Squads of the Gods until we finally reach the fall, follow me @https://x.com/AjayxeMem.