The first year of the Kyle Whittingham era in Ann Arbor is receiving a significant boost by securing the return of two starters along the offensive line — interior lineman Jake Guarnera on Tuesday and
offensive tackle Andrew Sprague, who announced his decision on Wednesday.
Both were Texas targets who visited the Forty Acres over the weekend as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Kyle Flood seeks to replace multiple starters on the interior.
Sprague was a difficult projection for the Longhorns after starting 10 games at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2025 since Brandon Baker is expected to return for his junior season and reports emerged over the weekend that rising redshirt junior left tackle Trevor Goosby will also be back in burnt orange and white.
So Texas was likely targeting the 6’8, 315-pounder to spend a season playing inside before taking over a starting tackle role in 2027, which perhaps became a difficult sell compared to the ability to remain at tackle for Michigan.
Regardless of where the Longhorns wanted to play Sprague in 2026, missing out on the No. 26 overall player and the No. 3 offensive tackle in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings is a significant development, and combined with Guarnera also returning to Ann Arbor, significant setbacks for Flood.
