The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 97 [ L I N E B A C K E R S ] He should — he works hard enough — but even if he drops a few pounds, he's likely to be one of the conference's breakout players. On a team looking for pass- rush options, Colson can bring some speed and ability to help the edge guys in quarterback pursuit. "He's certainly going to be a guy used to put pressure on quarterbacks," Jansen continued. "He could play a Mike [middle linebacker], could play a Sam [outside], could be Will [weakside], and if they go back to a 3-4 style, he could play the edge. He could play any of those positions and be very effective." On the potential scale, Hill-Green isn't too far behind. The 6-1, 220-pounder played in 14 games last year, starting six, and also excelled on special teams. He notched 50 tackles, including 2 for loss and 1 pass breakup, and should improve upon those numbers this season. Colson views him as his twin in the middle, insisting there's nothing he can do that Hill-Green can't. "I like his speed, and he has a really good nose for the ball," Jansen said. "Last year there was a bit of a learning curve. I think he came in quite a bit for Josh Ross when he got hurt in the Rutgers game, but he was wide-eyed a lot of times and in the wrong position, but made plays because he just has a nose for the ball. "Now, all of a sudden, you start him off going in the right direction, and you see what he can do. I think he's going to be a damn good player." Heading into spring, finding depth in the middle was thought to be a priority. Harbaugh and Helow knew what they had in Hill-Green and Colson, but like the interior defensive line last season, the linebacker depth appeared a bit thin. Grad student Michael Barrett, a former viper (hybrid safety/linebacker) in Don Brown's defenses, was a bit of a security blanket in that respect. He'd covered tight ends and running backs out of the backfield and proved valuable in that area in the win over Ohio State last year. Last summer, he added good weight and got up to a reported 239 pounds before settling in at 227 in preparation for more of a typical inside linebacker role. He started one game and notched 20 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack. Many believed Barrett had a leg up on Hill-Green for the starting job heading into spring due in large part to his experience. Hill-Green found another gear, but Barrett isn't far behind and could play the Mike position if need be. He's currently backing up Colson at the Will but is a starter in the Wolverines' five-defensive back package. He "contributes a ton," Harbaugh said, including on special teams, and is one of Michigan's most versatile players. PRESEASON ANALYSIS: STARTERS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Head coach Jim Harbaugh said sophomore Junior Colson is capable of being "one of the best linebackers we've ever seen around here," and he flashed that sort of potential last season. With Josh Ross off to the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, Colson will take on a bigger responsibility in the leadership and communi- cation departments. Junior Nikhai Hill-Green took a big step last season, too, and will be called upon to do the same this season. The inside linebacker duo has the athleticism and instincts to command the interior of the de- fense. DEPTH ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Junior Jaylen Harrell played 136 of his 215 snaps against the run last season and must turn into a more complete, every-down player if he wants to make more of an impact on the edge, where the Wolverines lost most of their production. Depth is a bit of a concern at inside linebacker. Junior Kalel Mullings made progress in the spring, and while graduate Mi- chael Barrett has experience, he's a bit under- sized (6-0, 227) and a tweener position-wise. OVERALL ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ If Michigan stays healthy at linebacker, the sky's the limit with Colson, a returning fresh- man All-American, leading the charge. Hill- Green has to become more consistent, but he's a tireless worker who's expected to make strides. There's no David Ojabo-like wrecking ball at outside linebacker, after the new Bal- timore Raven notched 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles last season, but the inside players will perhaps be better than a year ago, helping offset that production on the edge. [ L I N E B A C K E R S ] A two-time team captain in 2020 and 2021, Josh Ross led the team in tackles in both seasons, combining for 159 stops. His 107 tackles in 2021 were the most by a Michigan player in a season since Jake Ryan posted 112 in 2014. The undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens totaled 252 tackles, including 15.5 for loss, during his five-year, 49-game career. Junior Colson made more of an impact during his freshman campaign than any linebacker dur- ing head coach Jim Harbaugh's Michigan tenure, becoming the head coach's second defender to earn freshman All-America honors. He really emerged in the back half of the season, start- ing seven of the last eight contests. His 61 tackles are the most by a first-year Wolverine since Desmond Morgan registered 63 in 2011. A dual-sport athlete, senior Joey Velazquez went through the entire spring with the football team, but he snuck away in his spare time to play a role in the outfield on the U-M baseball squad that won the Big Ten Tournament and advanced to the NCAA regional finals in Louis- ville. On the diamond, he appeared in 32 games with 25 starts, batting .277 with 21 RBI and 5 home runs. He has recorded two tackles and one fumble recovery during his football career. Only three of Michigan's returning inside linebackers — Colson (521), junior Nikhai Hill-Green (370) and graduate Michael Barrett (187) — played 100-plus defensive snaps last season. The others combined to see action on 120 plays. [ F Y I ] THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 97 QUICK FACTS Position Coach: George Helow (2nd year). Returning Starters: Michael Barrett (7 career starts), Junior Colson (7), Nikhai Hill-Green (6), Jaylen Harrell (3). Departing Starters: Josh Ross (24), David Ojabo (7). Projected New Starter: None. Top Reserves: Kalel Mullings, Joey Velazquez. Wait Until 2023: Jaydon Hood, Tyler McLaurin. Newcomers: Micah Pollard, Jimmy Rolder and Deuce Spurlock. Moved In: None. Moved Out: Anthony Solomon (transferred to Arizona). Rookie Impact: Rolder. Most Improved Player: Colson. Best Pro Prospect: Colson.