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 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 97 Ten honorable mention at the end of the regular season. Along the way, he served up plenty of highlights, with Defensive Player of the Game efforts against USC, Northwestern and Ohio State. He secured his first career interception and posted a dozen tackles at Washington, made 11 tackles with a TFL against Michigan State, and paced Michigan with 8 stops including a TFL in the stunner of a win at Ohio State. Barham also posted some strong num- bers and highlight moments, with 66 tackles (second on the team), a sack, 3.5 TFLs, 5 quarterback hurries and a pair of pass breakups. The 6-3, 248-pound linebacker hit the grand slam of Defen- sive Player of the Game efforts in 2024, securing those honors against Arkansas State, Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State. Barham made 9 tackles in the win over Michigan State. He plays with a rugged ferocity that at times led to some penal- ties and over-aggressiveness that defen- sive coordinator Wink Martindale and his coaches looked to rein in, but Jean-Mary sees another forceful, effective player with a lot of growth coming on. "Our success comes from our cul- ture in this building, and the way we go about our process," Jean-Mary said. "And sometimes that's hard for people when they first get here. It takes time to really feel like you're part of the team, no mat- ter how talented you are or how much you bring to the table. I thought he did a really good job and got better and better as the season progressed. "He was more comfortable with what we were doing on d e fe n se , a n d h e 's been lights-out this spring. He's playing faster and playing physical, and it looks like he's having a lot of fun out there." Jean-Mary also got specific about Bar- ham's step forward. "Last year, he just played within the framework of what we do on defense," Jean-Mary explained. "We always say this is probably the most unselfish de- fense in the country. We do a lot to set up other players on the team, and that takes a certain type of person. We feel like we have those type of guys on this defense. And he's grown to know when we all are successful, then the individual will be successful also. "We want them to work within the framework of the defense and not feel like they have to overdo it to try to go make a play. We've seen improvement with him this spring. He's a dynamic blitzer and a guy that can really get after the quarter- back and rush the passer. "We've seen his growth as a linebacker and how he communicates with the rest of the guys on de- fense. We saw steps in him becoming a complete player." Some worry about the Wolverines' ca- pabilities at line- backer beyond the big two, but Jean- Mary isn't among them. First off, se- nior Jimmy Rolder has now been around Michigan's program for three seasons, with 31 game appearances. He's well ac- customed to performing at linebacker, delivering 26 tackles with 1.5 TFLs and a quarterback hurry in 2024. Now, Jean-Mary noted, Rolder is fully prepped to be the next man in for the Wolverines in a position demanding some depth. "We've said it before, and I'll keep saying it," Jean-Mary offered. "We look at Jimmy as a third starter. This is the healthiest he's been. Injuries have slowed him down the last two years. But this spring he's been healthy, and he's had some unbelievable practices. He's going QUICK FACTS Position Coach: Brian Jean-Mary (2nd year of second stint at U-M) Returning Starters: Jaishawn Barham (36; 13 at U-M, 23 at Maryland), Ernest Haus- mann (20; 13 at U-M, 7 at Nebraska) Departing Starters: None Projected New Starters: None Top Reserves: Jimmy Rolder, Cole Sullivan, Troy Bowles Newcomers: Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, Chase Taylor Moved In: Troy Bowles Moved Out: Jason Hewlett, Micah Pollard Rookie Impact: Owusu-Boateng Most Improved Player: Sullivan Best Pro Prospect: Barham LINEBACKERS 1 Jaishawn Barham (6-3, 248), Sr. 12 Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (6-1, 203), Fr. 15 Ernest Hausmann (6-2, 235), Sr. 23 Cole Sullivan (6-3, 225), So. 29 Chase Taylor (6-2, 213), Fr. 30 Jimmy Rolder (6-2, 240), Sr. 34 Jaydon Hood (6-1, 225), Gr. 40 Troy Bowles (6-0, 220), Jr. 43 Zach Ludwig (6-2, 217), So. Versatility Comes Into Play Michigan's defense will benefit greatly this season because of a system that allows players with multi-faceted abilities to move around. Onlookers might see that in a couple of noticeable areas. Senior linebacker Jaishawn Barham remains listed among the 'backers heading into the sum- mer, despite a good deal of talk that he could get moved to an edge-rusher spot. The truth is, on any given play, he could. Some labels get thrown out the window when Michigan's defense schemes for and deploys against different foes. Defensive line coach Lou Esposito spoke regarding Barham's prowess in getting home off the edge. "He's one of the best players in the country, there's no doubt about it," Esposito said. "He might be the most physical player I've ever been around. He is going to do the things that he does, as many times as we can. It always is, and always will be, about the players. "We'll put players in positions where they do things really well. That's what we're going to do with him." Meanwhile sophomore safety Mason Curtis — all 6-5, 200 pounds of him — could slip forward into a linebacking spot during any situational necessity. In the same way, the coaches know Curtis can creep behind the line with the best of them, packing a punch. "I really like that Mason has played outside linebacker and receiver in high school. He played receiver here for a couple days and then I got him. I was excited about that," Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan said. "Mason can do a lot. He's still growing into his body. He's so big and tall — he's a unique kid." Michigan has a few of them, ready to plug and play — for a championship. — John Borton