The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JUNE/JULY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 21 LB MICHAEL BARRETT Seventh Round, No. 240 Overall Carolina Panthers Barrett played in the most games in program history (64) and was part of teams that went 61-14 in his six seasons in Ann Arbor. The hope is that he can bring his championship pedigree to a Panthers organization in need of an identity. At 5-11, 233 pounds, a lack of size and speed is what may have pushed him down to the seventh round of the draft. "He just didn't run as fast [at the NFL Combine]," NFL Network's Daniel Jer- emiah said. "If he would've ran a little bit faster — he ran that 4.7 flat 40. But he's someone that was a stat stuffer, had 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Really, re- ally quick hands, can play off blocks. Thought he played faster than that 40 time, thought he could also cover running backs as well. "This is another Michigan player. They play downhill. I mean, they are so aggres- sive." OT LADARIUS HENDERSON Seventh Round, No. 249 Overall Houston Texans The run on Michigan players in the sev- enth round continued with U-M making a late push for the program record. Hen- derson, a Texas native, was selected by a Houston squad that could set its sights on a Super Bowl this season. Henderson, a transfer from Arizona State, appeared in 14 games last season with 10 starts at left tackle and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches. The experts at Pro Football Focus did not have a draftable grade on him, but saw the value in what he could bring. "Henderson wasn't on the PFF Big Board and struggled down the stretch for the National Champion Michigan Wol- verines," the site wrote. "He did show some flashes early in the season though, earning a PFF pass-blocking grade above 70.0 in six of the first eight games of the year." EDGE JAYLEN HARRELL Seventh Round, No. 252 Overall Tennessee Titans Harrell's slide ended just before the end of the draft. He's heading to Nashville as a versatile defender who will push for a roster spot this fall. During his time in Ann Arbor, he was a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention pick who made 31 starts in 46 games in his career. He started all 15 games last season with 31 tackles (9 for loss), a team-high 6.5 sacks, 5 quarter- back hurries, 2 forced fumbles and a pass defended. Harrell is the son of former NFL line- backer James Harrell, who had an eight- year career despite entering the league as a free agent. "My pops, he was undrafted," Harrell said during his introduction with the Ti- tans. "So, he had that killer mindset that, 'They have to take it from me.' Just get- ting that mindset instilled in me at such a young age … I know there's still so much work to do. But I am ready to put my best foot forward and get to work." WR CORNELIUS JOHNSON Seventh Round, No. 253 Overall Los Angeles Chargers The final draftee of U-M's 2024 haul was the second to join Harbaugh with the Chargers. Johnson appeared in 60 career games at Michigan with 44 starts and was a key contributor over the last three sea- sons in Ann Arbor. The honorable men- tion All-Big Ten selection appeared in 15 games with 14 starts last year, catching 47 passes for 604 yards and 1 touchdown. Johnson also added 3 rushes for 40 yards. "While an older receiver who doesn't generate much yards after contact, John- son has nice footwork as a route runner and has played a ton of football for new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh," Alex Katson of Chargers Wire wrote. "He'll compete for playing time in what's sud- denly a much more crowded wide receiver room in Los Angeles." — Anthony Broome and Clayton Sayfie Six Wolverines Sign As Undrafted Free Agents In addition to the Michigan school-record 13 NFL Draft picks, six other Wolverines signed NFL contracts as undrafted free agents immediately following the draft weekend: • C Drake Nugent, San Francisco 49ers The Stanford transfer heads back to the Bay Area to join the NFC champions after starting all 15 games at center for Michigan last season. The first-team All-Big Ten selection and a Rimington Trophy finalist could compete for the backup center job. • OT Trente Jones, Green Bay Packers Jones left Michigan as a two-time Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line member, three- time Big Ten champion and a national champion for the 2023 season. He appeared in 37 career games on the offensive line with 12 starts at right tackle and as an extra offensive lineman in jumbo sets. • CB Josh Wallace, Los Angeles Rams The UMass transfer appeared in 15 games with 11 starts at cornerback, notching 33 tackles (2 tackles for loss), 4 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. One of his key fumble recoveries came in the Rose Bowl come- back win over Alabama. • EDGE Braiden McGregor, New York Jets An ankle injury during training may have pre- vented McGregor from joining the list of drafted Wolverines. He started all 15 games at edge rusher for the Wolverines, making 25 tackles (9 tackles for loss), 4.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries, 3 passes defended and a forced fumble. • OT Karsen Barnhart, Los Angeles Chargers Barnhart's addition rounded out a trio of for- mer Wolverines (including Junior Colson and Cornelius Johnson) joining their former head coach Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. The two- time All-Big Ten selection started all 15 games last season playing three different spots in the lineup (four at left tackle, eight at right tackle and three at right guard). • K James Turner, Detroit Lions The Saline, Mich., native gets to stay home and compete for a job with a hopeful Super Bowl contender in his own backyard. The Louisville transfer converted 18 of 21 field goals with a 50-yard long and a perfect 12-of-12 mark inside 40 yards during the 2023 campaign. — Anthony Broome Linebacker Michael Barrett (Carolina Panthers) was one of four Wolverines selected in the sev- enth round of the NFL Draft. GRAPHIC COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS