Michigan football: Michael Barrett not shying away from improved LB competition
Michigan football has transformed its linebacker rotation over the last few years, led by Junior Colson and a young stable of players. It even hit the transfer portal for a starting-caliber option this offseason in former Nebraska Cornhusker Ernest Hausmann.
But the “old head” Michael Barrett remains, opting to return for a sixth season in Ann Arbor for 2023. If the season started today, he would hold down linebacker duties next to Colson in the starting lineup.
For him, it was not much of a difficult decision to return.
“There wasn’t really a con of coming back,” Barrett said Thursday during a spring football media availability. “It wasn’t really anything that coming back would hurt, other than the risk of injury.”
He later continued: “I kind of felt like I was playing my best [at the end of the 2022 season] and keeping that train rolling into the season — into spring ball — was a way to make an impact this year.”
Barrett has worn plenty of hats at Michigan in his career. The former high school quarterback found a home at the VIPER position in Don Brown’s defense, but transitioned to linebacker under Mike Macdonald. Then, he was used as more of a hybrid subpackage defender. Now, he is back at linebacker as the elder statesman in the room.
But there will be competition. Nikhai Hill-Green is returning from injury. Sophomore Jimmy Rolder finally gets to go through an entire offseason in a college environment. Hausmann has starting Big Ten experience as a sophomore. The depth is something that is being embraced.
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“I feel like it’s different here with guys because I don’t think we look at it negatively,” Barrett said. “I think we take everything that gets thrown at us with a positive attitude … That’s one thing that Coach Herb instilled in us. You never know what was gonna happen. You never know the adversities you’re gonna face. But you’re defined by how you react to it.
“So I feel like just in a room, I’d say for the past couple of years, we just kind of look at it as competition, look at it as a way to better ourselves, better for our group. And so anytime, we’re happy for the guy’s success. We’re always teaching each other, coaching each other up. We’re never looking at it like, ‘Oh, he’s gonna take my spot. So let me get away from him.’ It’s never that, it’s always love. Everyone in that room always shows love to each other and support. And we’re always there for each other.”
Hausmann in particular has turned some heads in the spring and should play a role on the Michigan defense this year. Barrett has been impressed so far.
“Just his natural athletic ability. He’s smart, fast, can move,” Barrett said. “Just how fast he’s learning the defense, coming along with our guys, blending in, meshing together well with everyone. He’s gonna be a great player. I like his enthusiasm, the way he flies around at practice. He always has a smile on his face. He’s gonna bring something to this team.”
