A year ago, Evan Link was trying to keep his head above water. Thrust into action earlier than expected, the young offensive lineman admits he wasn’t ready for the challenge.
A year ago, Evan Link was trying to keep his head above water. Thrust into action earlier than expected, the young offensive lineman admits he wasn’t ready for the challenge.
“To be honest, I wasn’t really expecting last year, and that was a complete shock,” Link said. “It was a surprise to me, but it was just a great opportunity.”
Now, after 11 starts at right tackle last season, Link enters 2025 as Michigan’s left tackle with a newfound confidence forged through competition and growth.
“I think I’ve taken a lot of strides in my mental game and physical,” he said. “A lot of things that were lacking last year, I think I’ve gotten a lot better at. I really think that competition at camp helped me get there.”
The competition came from across the offensive line, most notably Andrew Babalola and Blake Frazier. Link said their battles in camp pushed him to elevate his game.
“Babs was really good at some things that I needed to improve on, so having to compete with him, and Blake in that regard as well, really helped me improve my game and take it to another level,” Link said.
Babalola sustained a knee injury during camp and will miss the 2025 season.
The same goes for the daily challenges against Michigan’s defensive front, where Derrick Moore and TJ Guy provide a constant measuring stick.
“I have that confidence that, I mean, I can compete with the best people out there,” Link said. “Derrick and TJ challenge me every day. So if I can compete with those two guys, I can compete with anybody in this country.”
That confidence stands in sharp contrast to where he was a year ago, when the game felt overwhelming at times. The difference now, he said, is knowing what to expect and trusting his preparation.
“There’s a lot more, I know what I’m doing out there,” Link said. “I have that confidence that I can compete with the best people out there.”
With Michigan’s offensive line looking to rebound from a season that fell below the program’s usual standard, Link represents both growth and stability. His personal development — forged in trial by fire and sharpened by competition — has him ready to lead from one of the most important positions on the field, protecting Bryce Underwood’s blind side.
Category: General Sports
