The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JUNE/JULY 2023 ❱ INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS The U-M football program had several players decide to return for the 2023 season for one last run at a national title. Chief among them was linebacker Michael Barrett, who is going through his sixth and final season in Ann Arbor this year. Barrett, who is taking master's courses in social work, could have left for the 2023 NFL Draft, but he wanted an opportunity to lead and go out on the highest note possible for his playing career. "There wasn't really a con of coming back," Barrett said. "It wasn't really anything that coming back would hurt, other than the risk of injury. "I kind of felt like I was playing my best [at the end of the 2022 season] and keeping that train rolling into the season — into spring ball — was a way to make an impact this year." Barrett has worn plenty of hats at Michigan, playing in 49 games with 20 starts in his career. The former high school quarterback found a home at the viper position in former coordinator Don Brown's defense, but he transitioned to linebacker under Mike Macdonald. Then, he was used as more of a hybrid sub-package defender. Now, he is back at linebacker as the elder statesman in the room under current defensive coordi- nator Jesse Minter. U-M looks to Barrett as an upperclassman leader in its linebacker room, which has increased its depth over the last few offseasons. He has been an instrumental part of ensuring the room remains competitive and not combative. "I feel like it's different here with guys because I don't think we look at it negatively," Barrett said. "I think we take everything that gets thrown at us with a positive attitude. … That's one thing that Coach Herb [director of strength and conditioning Ben Herbert] has instilled in us. You never know what's gonna happen. You never know the adversities you're gonna face. But you're defined by how you react to it. "So, I feel like just in a room, I'd say for the past couple of years, we just kind of look at it as competition, look at it as a way to better ourselves, better our group. And so, we're happy for the other guys' success. We're always teaching each other, coaching each other up. We're never looking at it like, 'Oh, he's gonna take my spot. So, let me get away from him.' It's never that, it's always love. Everyone in that room always shows love to each other and support. And we're always there for each other." — Anthony Broome The elder statesman in the linebacker room, Barrett was second on the team last season with 72 tackles, including 5 for loss. He also had 2 interceptions at Rutgers, one of which he returned for a touchdown. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN ❱ Student-Athlete Of The Month Graduate Football Linebacker Michael Barrett MICHIGAN'S TOP PERFORMERS Water polo junior Kata Utassy: She was one of two Wolverines, joined by graduate Erin Neustrom, to be named first-team all-conference by the Collegiate Water Polo Association. Utassy led the league in goals (72), assists (54) and points (126). She was the fastest player in U-M history to reach 50 and 100 points in a season. Men's tennis senior Ondrej Styler: He was tabbed the Big Ten Ath- lete of the Year after a standout season for the Maize and Blue. At the time of his selection (April 27), he was the highest-ranked singles player in the Big Ten at No. 11, while having reached a career-best No. 6 standing in early April. He was 17-1 in dual matches with a perfect 6-0 record in conference play. Softball graduate student Lexie Blair: For the fourth time in her career, Blair was rec- ognized as first-team All-Big Ten. She's the U-M program's fifth such four-timer in history, joining her head coach, Bonnie Tholl (the first individual in conference history to accomplish the feat), Angela Findlay, Nikki Nemitz and Sierra Romero. As of May 10, when she was honored, Blair led the Wolver- ines with a .353 batting average in league play and had compiled 28 runs scored, 27 RBI and 17 extra-base hits, including 14 doubles. She was the 2021 Big Ten Player of the Year and holds the program record with 72 doubles. Men's lacrosse junior Michael Boehm: He was named Big Ten Tournament MVP after leading U-M to its first- ever championship with wins over Ohio State (14-10), No. 4 Penn State (17-15) and No. 7 Mary- land (14-5). He totaled 10 goals and 4 assists over the three tilts. In the victory over the Ter- rapins, Boehm netted 5 goals on 9 shots. He also was named All-Big Ten first team at the conclusion of the regular season. — Clayton Sayfie