The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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[ L I N E B A C K E R S ] THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 95 "That's an ongoing process, al- ways. I'm just excited to see where we're at heading into this year." Lead 'Backers Steeped In Big-Game Experience If the Wolverines' top lineback- ers stumble this year, it won't be because they haven't seen the best of the best. They've been heavily involved in two straight wins over strong Ohio State teams, battled to victories over Penn State and Wis- consin, and gone head-to-head with Georgia and TCU in the College Football Playoff. Grad student weakside linebacker Michael Barrett epitomizes Michi- gan's field-savvy status at his posi- tion. He's already played in 48 U-M games, a career for even four-year starters of the past. The third-team All-Big Ten se- lection by the coaches is a five- year letterman, with 20 starts, 13 of them last season. The Most Im- proved Player on Michigan's defense posted 72 tackles, second best on the squad, along with 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups with 2 interceptions and a pair of quar- terback hurries. He led Michigan's defense with 11 stops against Ohio State, follow- ing that up with 10 more including a sack in the Big Ten title game win over Purdue. In short, his decision to return for a sixth year represented a major brain retain for the U-M linebackers. "Michael Barrett is a tremendous return of an experienced player for us that has made a lot of big plays," Minter said. "He has played all over the field throughout his career, which has made him a better line- backer. I'm very excited to have him back." All of the Wolverines were excited to welcome position coach Chris Partridge back, who has logged five seasons of his own with Michigan — as director of player personnel in 2015, then as special teams coor- dinator the next four years, two of them spent coaching safeties and two with linebackers. He moved to Ole Miss the past three seasons, burnishing his ré- sumé as the Rebels' co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Now he's back with Michigan's lineback- ers, and Minter likes what he sees. The defensive coordinator noted Partridge "has done an unbelievable job with those guys." Minter insists junior middle line- backer Junior Colson is capable of unbelievable results, and not with- out evidence. Colson earned sec- ond-team All-Big Ten distinction from the conference coaches last season, along with the squad's Roger Zatkoff Award as best linebacker, and led the team in tackles with 101. He secured a pair of sacks among 6 tackles for loss, with 1 quarter- back hurry. His 15 tackles in the Big Ten Championship Game win over Purdue put a capper on his part in Michigan's run to the title. Colson still wants more, and Minter wants it for him. The latter talked about him getting there. "Junior has as high of a ceiling as anybody on our defense," Minter assessed. "We've had a lot of talks about that. I think it's time for him to become not just a good player who flies around and makes some plays. "He needs to become the guy where everybody knows who he is, where he is. That he can wreck the game. He's capable of doing that. I'm confident that he'll continue to progress to that standpoint." Sophomore linebacker Ernest Hausmann is a transplanted Ne- braska standout, one who gushes over Michigan's facilities, strength and conditioning program with co- ordinator Ben Herbert. The Wolverines, meanwhile, wel- comed in the talented former Corn- husker who started seven games in 12 appearances as a freshman. He fashioned 54 tackles as a rookie, including 2 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and a very memo- PRESEASON ANALYSIS STARTERS ★★★★ The Wolverines feature one experience- laden tandem of potential starters in grad Michael Barrett, beginning his sixth year for U-M, and junior Junior Colson, who has been a fixture in the middle of the Michigan defense since his freshman season. They'll get pushed by Nebraska's best rookie from a year ago, sophomore linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who came on to shine for the Cornhuskers before hitting the transfer por- tal following the 2022 campaign. Both Colson (second team) and Barrett (third team) earned All-Big Ten recognition a year ago and should grow from a second season in defensive coordinator Jesse Mint- er's system. DEPTH ★★★ Hausmann provides instant depth for the Michigan linebackers, along with someone who will challenge the starters for playing time. Those that linebackers coach Chris Partridge can call upon go beyond that trio, though. The transfer of Nikhai Hill-Green puts sophomore Jimmy Rolder into posi- tion to become at least Michigan's fourth linebacker, and perhaps more. Sophomore Micah Pollard is also coming on, according to those in the know. The jump the latter two take this fall will go a long way toward deter- mining Michigan's true depth. OVERALL ★★★★ Michigan holds a ton of experience at a position where it's definitely required. The Wolverines also feature young talent, hardened by time on the field last year. They could always benefit from more help here, and that's for the younger players on the roster to provide. But if the top crew stays healthy, this will be one of the best groups of linebackers in the Big Ten and beyond. SCHOLARSHIP ROSTER No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 23 Michael Barrett LB 6-0 233 Gr. — Semaj Bridgeman LB 6-2 225 Fr. 25 Junior Colson LB 6-2 235 Jr. 15 Ernest Hausmann LB 6-2 228 So. — Jason Hewlett LB 6-3 215 Fr. 34 Jaydon Hood LB 6-1 217 Jr. — Hayden Moore LB 6-3 205 Fr. 4 Micah Pollard LB 6-2 206 So. 30 Jimmy Rolder LB 6-2 228 So. 29 Joey Velazquez LB 6-0 225 Gr.