In a span of less than 18 months, Michigan’s linebacker group went from a point of vulnerability to perhaps the strength of the entire team. After the incoming transfer of Ernest Hausmann from Nebraska, the unexpected return of 6th-year senior Michael Barrett has created a log jam of talent near the top of the LB core.
With potential 1st-round draft pick Junior Colson already solidified as a starter, how will Michigan utilize its luxurious depth at the linebacker position? Here’s how I see defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and linebacker coach Chris Partridge approaching the 2023 season.
Junior Colson
Junior Colson is one of a handful of guys on this Michigan roster that could be teetering on the brink of an All-American season. NFL scouts have already identified him as 1st-round talent, and his proven ability to produce in college has been showcased by his team-leading 101 tackles in 2022.
Colson is expected to line up as the MIKE linebacker, which essentially makes him the “quarterback” of the defense. I wouldn’t expect him to spend too much time on the sidelines during competitive game action this season.
Given the ridiculous strength in Michigan’s defensive secondary, I would fully expect Colson to be incorporated in more blitz packages than a year ago. Look for him to get to opposing quarterbacks early and often and build upon his role as a leader of this Michigan defense.
Michael Barrett
Michael Barrett is now officially one of those guys that seems to have been in college forever. He will be lacing up his maize and blue cleats for the 6th consecutive year in hopes to finish his career with a National Championship.
Many Michigan football followers saw the commitment of Ernest Hausmann as a definitive signal that he would step in and become Junior Colson’s starting counterpart. To that notion, I would hit you with a Lee Corso Not So Fast! Don’t underestimate the significance of Michael Barrett’s contribution to Michigan’s recent back-to-back Big Ten Championships.
I see Barrett and Colson together as the most obvious option in 2-linebacker formations. Barrett’s versatility was showcased against Rutgers last year when he snagged 2 interceptions, and his dependability was seen by his 11 tackles in the Ohio State game. Expect him to have a similarly significant impact in 2023.
Ernest Hausmann
While Ernest Hausmann may not supplant Michael Barrett as a clearcut starter on this team, there is still a very real possibility that his impact could be greater than Barrett’s. In traditional 4-3 looks, we could see Hausmann, Barrett, and Colson on the field simultaneously, and Hausmann is the type of player that Chris Partridge will want to get on the field every series.
Michigan fans are familiar with Hausmann’s skillset because he was the most impressive player on the Nebraska defense in 2022 when the Huskers traveled to Ann Arbor. He racked up 10 tackles in that game and managed to chase down JJ McCarthy for an impressive tackle for loss.
Ernest Hausmann will likely be a key role player in this 2023 Michigan defense and then find himself in a leadership role in 2024. His raw talent and versatility remind me of Devin Bush in some ways, and I could see him becoming a sideline-to-sideline problem for Big Ten offenses in coming years.
Depth
The aforementioned backers will be the ones earning most of the attention in the linebacker room in 2023, but there are a few other guys to keep an eye on. The sophomore trio of Jimmy Rolder, Micah Pollard, and Jayden Hood are the most likely candidates to get game action in blowouts and would be the guys that could step in if any of the starters get banged up.
Overall, there’s a lot to be excited about when we look across Michigan’s defensive depth chart. There doesn’t seem to be any weaknesses, and if this linebacker group stays healthy, they could easily end up being one of the best units in the entire country.
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