Michigan linebacker room is deeper, thriving, includes a 'tremendous asset'
Michigan linebacker Junior Colson recently posted a picture of himself in a foot cast on Instagram, starting speculation about his health. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter wouldn’t comment other than to say he expected him to be back for the opener against East Carolina in September.
That’s opened the door for others, however, including two who didn’t see the field last year. Michigan veteran Nikhai Hill-Green missed the season with an undisclosed injury but has come back strong this spring, putting himself in position for serious playing time again.
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“Nikhai is a guy that obviously it’s really frustrating for him with what he dealt with, but we’re excited he’s back out there,” Minter said Tuesday. “He brings a great value to our defense. He’s a great leader, a great communicator.
“Honestly, he was a big part of our success in the fall even though he wasn’t playing. I thought he really did a good job taking on a leadership role and almost a coaching type of role. So, we’re certainly excited to have him back out there in the mix.”
Michael Barrett is back for a sixth year at Michigan, and he’s been a stalwart. They know what he can do, and his play in some big games last year — including Ohio State, the second year in which he made big plays in “The Game” — shows his value.
Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann, meanwhile, has been everything hoped for and more since he arrived. That’s allowed Michigan senior Kalel Mullings to stay at running back full time and provide depth.
“Ernest is a tremendous asset, a tremendous pickup,” Minter continued. “One of the stalwarts of our defense last year was we played a lot of people, especially up front. But at linebacker, the two inside ‘backer spots was an area where we did not rotate as much. Part of that was just depth. They had some injuries, some guys in and out, some younger players, so it’s a tremendous position … you need to create depth.
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“No. 1, he’s made plays in our stadium in big moments, so we kind of know that’s not going to be too big for him. I think he’s just physically, mentally a tremendous asset to that room. He’ll challenge those guys. We have two incumbent players that my challenge to Ernest is to go take their spot. My challenge to those guys is to hold on to your spot because he’s coming. I’m very excited about the addition of him.”
Finally, having a coach like Chris Partridge back at Michigan has made the staff even stronger, Minter said.
“Chris is a tremendous addition. He dove right in,” Minter said. “He’s a guy that one, he understands this place. He understands what works here, the culture here. He’s got a tremendous versatile background for positions and special teams and being a defensive coordinator. So, I think he’s an unbelievably high value member of our staff.
“Coaching the linebackers is a position that requires a tremendous amount of detail, a tremendous amount of attention that he has done a great job integrating this spring and providing. I really couldn’t be happier with Chris Partridge. I didn’t know him, but obviously heard from people in the building about him as that process started to unfold. I’m just really, really excited to have him on our staff.”
