Michael Barrett, the winningest player in Michigan history, selected by Carolina Panthers in NFL Draft

Michigan Wolverines football linebacker Michael Barrett was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 240 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Barrett spent six years at U-M before turning pro.

Barrett is the 10th Wolverine to be drafted this year, joining quarterback J.J. McCarthy (first round, No. 10 overall to the Minnesota Vikings), defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (No. 49 to the Cincinnati Bengals), defensive back Mike Sainristil (No. 50 to the Washington Commanders), linebacker Junior Colson (No. 69 to the Los Angeles Chargers), running back Blake Corum (No. 83 to the Los Angeles Rams), wide receiver Roman Wilson (No. 84 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers), offensive lineman Zak Zinter (No. 85 overall to the Cleveland Browns), tight end AJ Barner (No. 121 overall to the Seattle Seahawks) and offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (No. 172 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles).

He’s the winningest player in program history, posting a 61-14 record from 2018-23. He appeared in 52 victories. He came to the program as a quarterback, before transitioning to ‘viper’ — Michigan’s hybrid linebacker/safety spot — and eventually settling in as an inside linebacker in the Wolverines’ current system.

On the NFL Network broadcast, host Rich Eisen, a Michigan alum himself, said he was surprised Barrett fell all the way to pick No. 240. Analyst Daniel Jeremiah shared his take, which included his 4.70-second 40-yard dash time at the Wolverines’ pro day in March.

“He just didn’t run as fast,” Jeremiah 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, really 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 down hill. I mean, they are so aggressive. I’m excited to see this scheme with the Chargers next year with [former U-M defensive coordinator] Jesse Minter, because it just feels like they’re always playing forward, they’re always attacking.”

Barrett had the opportunity to head to the NFL following the 2022 campaign but decided to return after “playing at my best” at the end of the year. He carried that over to the 2023 campaign, becoming an even more highly-regarded draft prospect.

Barrett was dealing with a minor injury at the NFL Combine, forcing him to miss drills, but he measured in at 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds.

The Valdosta, Ga., native was named voted a team captain by his Michigan teammates in 2023 and helped lead the Wolverines to the national championship. Barrett was named third-team All-Big Ten in both 2022 and 2023.

Barrett started all 15 games for Michigan in 2023, finishing second on the team with 65 tackles. He contributed 3.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 pass breakups.

The versatile linebacker led the nation’s linebackers who had more than 40 pass-rush snaps with a 92.3 PFF pass-rush grade. He totaled 19 pressures on 69 blitzes. His 72.0 rating in coverage ranked 10th in the Big Ten (minimum 100 coverage snaps).

Barrett had what was perhaps his best game in one of the biggest moments of Michigan’s season and program history. He posted 9 tackles, including 1 sack, in a 27-20 overtime victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Barrett said there was a notion within the general public that the Crimson Tide was favored to win, and that motivated he and his teammates.

“We’ve been hearing about, ‘How are y’all going to tackle [Alabama quarterback Jalen] Milroe? How are y’all going to hold up against an SEC this, SEC that, Alabama that?’ Literally, all of our press conferences, that’s all we heard about — ’how y’all going to do this, how y’all going to do that’ like we’re not the No. 1 team in the country, man. We’re the No. 1 defense in the country.

“We got some dawgs in here, and we will not be denied.”

Thanks in part to Barrett’s efforts, Michigan did lead the nation in points (10.4) and yards (247) allowed per game, and points given up per drive (0.96). According to The Athletic, they also topped the country in stop rate, forcing punts, turnovers or turnovers on downs on 81.6 percent of possessions. Michigan’s 10.4 points allowed per contest were the fewest by a Big Ten defense since the Wolverines’ last national title team in 1997 (9.5).

Barrett started 13 of 14 games for Michigan in 2022, slotting second on the team with 72 tackles, adding 5 stops for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and a pair of quarterback hurries.

He played in 14 games with one start in 2021, making 20 tackles including 1.5 for loss and a sack. That came after opening all six outings in 2020 at ‘viper,’ posting 44 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 1 sack. He was mostly a reserve in 2019, after redshirting and seeing action in two games in 2018.

A product of Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes, Barrett was a three-star recruit and the No. 748 overall player in the 2018 class.