The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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L I N E B A C K E R S 100 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW POSITION COACH Defensive run game coordina- tor and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary is heading into his second season of his second stint as an assistant in Ann Ar- bor. He was previously part of Jim Harbaugh's staff in 2020. Jean-Mary has 24 years of coaching experi- ence and last season helped Wolverine line- backer Ernest Hausmann earn All-Big Ten hon- orable mention recognition. Prior to his return to U-M, Jean-Mary worked at Tennessee from 2021-23. At Tennessee, Jean- Mary helped the Volunteers rank in the top 10 in tackles for loss all three seasons on the job. Jean-Mary's first go-round in Ann Arbor saw him direct a corps that was led by Josh Ross, Michael Barrett and Cameron McGrone. The group combined for 8.5 of the team's 24 tackles for loss during the six-game campaign. Before his first stint at Michigan, Jean-Mary spent three seasons as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at South Florida (2017-19). The Bulls collected 69 turnovers over the course of three seasons, and also ranked in the top 5 in tackles for loss twice and red zone defense once. His first season saw USF lead the American Conference in total defense. Other stops in his career include Texas (2015- 16), Louisville (2000, 2010-14), Georgia Tech (2004-09), North Alabama (2003) and South Carolina (2001-02). RETURNING PLAYERS JAISHAWN BARHAM • LB Sr. • District Heights, Md. Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 248 • Started all 13 contests in his first year at Michigan in 2024 and ranked second on the team with 66 tack- les, adding 3.5 stops for loss and a sack. Checked in first among non-lineman Wol- verines with 20 pressures. • Transferred from Maryland following the 2023 season. • Started in all 11 appearances in 2023, total- ing 37 tackles with 3 tackles for loss and 3 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass defended and 3 quarterback hurries. • Earned honorable mention All-Big Ten rec- ognition (coaches) with the Terps. • Appeared in 12 games with 12 starts as a true freshman in 2022 with 58 tackles (most among Big Ten freshmen), 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. • Named a freshman All-American by College Football News. • Attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. • 2022 Polynesian Bowl participant, winning Defensive MVP with 5 tackles, 2 TFLs and a pick six. • On3 Industry Ranking of four stars, No. 145 player and No. 11 linebacker nationally, and No. 3 player in Maryland. Year GP/GS Tkls. TFL Sacks INT 2022* 12/12 58 6.5 4 0 2023* 11/11 37 3 3 1 2024 13/13 66 3.5 1 0 Total 36/36 161 13 8 1 * at Maryland ERNEST HAUSMANN • LB Sr. • Columbus, Neb. Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 235 • Started all 13 contests and was named an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection (coaches and media) in 2024. • Led Michigan with 89 tackles and 7 TFLs, adding 2 sacks and 1 interception. • In 2023, made 15 appearances and finished third on the team with 46 tackles, including 2 for loss. • Transferred after one year at Nebraska, where he amassed 54 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in 12 outings with seven starts in 2022. • Notched his first career sack and had 10 tackles in a Nebraska loss at Michigan Sta- dium in November 2022. • Regarded as a three-star recruit and the fifth-best prospect in Nebraska per the On3 Industry Ranking. Year GP/GS Tkls. TFL Sacks INT 2022* 12/7 54 2 1 0 2023 15/0 46 2 0 0 2024 13/13 89 7 2 1 Total 27/7 189 10 3 1 * at Nebraska JAYDON HOOD • LB Gr. • West Palm Beach, Fla. Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 225 • Competed in 11 outings, in- cluding eight at linebacker, and made 9 tackles, includ- ing 1 for loss, as a senior in 2024. • Ranked fourth on the team with 91 snaps at linebacker. • Appeared in 12 games (six at linebacker) in 2023, making 13 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 quarterback hurry. • Competed in three games and recorded 3 tackles and 1 pass breakup in 2022, with all of those stats coming against Hawai'i. • Appeared in one game at linebacker in 2021, versus Northern Illinois, retaining his redshirt year. Recorded 1 tackle. • Landed on MaxPreps' All-Florida second- team defense as a senior and earned an invite to the 2021 Under Armour All-Amer- ican Game. • Tabbed as a four-star recruit, and the No. 384 overall player and 39th-best linebacker in the country by the On3 Industry Ranking. Year GP/GS Tkls. TFL Sacks INT 2021 1/0 1 0 0 0 2022 3/0 3 0 0 0 2023 12/0 13 0 0 0 2024 11/0 9 1 0 0 Total 27/0 26 1 0 0 ZACH LUDWIG • LB So. • South Park, Pa. Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 217 • Did not see game action as a freshman in 2024. • Attended South Park High School, recording 53 tackles with 3 tackles for loss and a sack in 2023. • A two-way contributor who also played quarterback. • 2023 PrepStar All-Eastern Region selection. • Nephew of former U-M strength coach Ben Herbert. • Three-star prospect, No. 166 linebacker in the nation and No. 46 player in Pennsylva- nia, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. JIMMY ROLDER • LB Sr. • Orland Park, Ill. Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 240 • Competed in 12 games in 2024, contributing 26 tack- les, including 1.5 for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry. • Checked in third on the team with 200 snaps at linebacker. • Appeared in six games, making 5 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in 2023. Played in four regular-season contests, preserving redshirt status. • In 2022, played in 13 games and notched 14 tackles as a freshman. • Named U-M's Rookie of the Year on special Year-By-Year Rushing Yards Allowed Season Yards Per Per Allowed Game Carry 2015 1,589 122.2 3.6 2016 1,550 119.2 3.2 2017 1,572 120.9 3.5 2018 1,656 127.4 3.7 2019 1,582 121.7 3.2 2020 1,073 178.8 4.2 2021 1,770 126.4 3.7 2022 1,371 97.9 3.3 2023 1,350 90.0 3.0 2024 1,179 90.7 3.1