Surging Michigan football freshman Jimmy Rolder providing a boost at thin linebacker position

Michigan Wolverines football is navigating life without junior linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green, who’s missed the first five games of the season with an injury and doesn’t appear to be close to returning. The Maize and Blue have called on graduate Michael Barrett and junior Kalel Mullings to play next to sophomore Junior Colson, and now a new face, freshman Jimmy Rolder, is starting to emerge.

Rolder didn’t enroll early, so he didn’t go through Michigan’s 15 spring practices earlier in the year, which makes it all the more impressive that he’s made the travel roster and cracked the rotation. After playing only in garbage time during non-conference play and not appearing in Michigan’s Big Ten opener against Maryland, Rolder traveled for the 27-14 win over Iowa last weekend and got in during the first half. He totaled seven snaps and made a solo tackle.

“Jimmy had a great week of practice last week,” Michigan linebackers coach George Helow said of Rolder. “I think he’s starting on two special teams, he got an assist on the kickoff team. Played snaps on defense, did a good job. Had a really good tackle in the game.”

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He’s already passed up a veteran like senior Joey Velazquez on the depth chart, and he’s just getting his feet wet, too, an ascending player.

“He’s young, he’s hungry. He’s smart,” Helow continued. “Learning more what to do each and every week. Pleased with Jimmy. Want him to keep staying hungry and getting better every week.”

It might not be this season, but Michigan is banking on Rolder, a 6-2, 228-pound former four-star recruit, to be a big part of the defense in years to come.

“I think Jimmy’s got a high ceiling,” Helow explained. “He’s really big, he can run. He likes contact. With the more reps he gets, the better he’ll get.”

While it would be ideal to get Hill-Green back soon, Helow has been pleased with how Michigan’s linebackers have played. Barrett and Mullings have each had their moments, and the former has appeared to separate himself as the starter next to Colson.

“Junior and Mike are doing a great job,” Helow said. “Jimmy, Kalel Mullings is doing a good job. We’re working other guys in. When a guy goes down, other young guys, whoever it is, step up and make plays. We’ll allow those guys to get more reps.”

Junior Colson still ascending

Colson is leading Michigan with 37 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage. He’s the main force on the second level of the defense, and he’s been solid after earning Freshman All-American honors last season.

Helow has seen improvement in Colson’s game.

“Last year, he had around 500 snaps, which is about half the season of plays on defense,” Helow noted. “This year, he’s gotten a lot more. He’s been in there the majority of the time.

“He understands what to do a lot better than last year as a true freshman. I think him being a midyear guy last year gave him an opportunity to be able to play as early as he did. That’s definitely a competitive advantage any time a guy gets there sooner.”

Like any young linebacker, let alone one that began playing football later in his career than most, processing the play and rapidly reacting is the No. 1 key of adjusting to the college level. Colson is still growing there, but he has a lot of tools, including speed and a high IQ, that allow him to be successful.

“His overall development, a lot of it is alignment and getting in the right spot and playing fast,” Helow said. “He’s a willing tackler and a good tackler in the open field. He can play in space, he’s good using his hands, he can blitz. He can do a lot for us.”

Michigan ready for challenge at Indiana

Michigan will take on Indiana in its second-straight road game. The Wolverines passed last week’s test at Iowa with flying colors and will look to do the same Saturday. U-M has embraced a road warrior mindset over the last two years.

“It’s kind of like last year, us versus everybody,” Helow said with a grin. “You gotta bow up. There are no easy road games, but we embrace the challenge. Nothing gets in the way. Their field is the same length as our field and we look forward to the opportunity.”

Indiana runs a high-tempo offense and will stay in the same personnel grouping for an entire drive at times. That means less substituting for the Michigan defense, and communication will be key.

“You just gotta line up and be ready to play fast,” Helow said. “[Indiana head coach] Tom Allen is a good coach. He’s a defensive-minded guy. He knows what will create problems. Just gotta get ready to go. Times where they sub, it’s obvious, you’re allowed to sub. When they don’t, we can’t. You just gotta line up fast and get ready to go.”