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One of the bigger splashes for Michigan football last season was getting Jaishawn Barham in the transfer portal. The former Maryland linebacker was a standout in two years in College Park, but in the early goings in Ann Arbor, he appeared to struggle
After some time, Barham seemed to start to get his sea legs underneath him, and he played his best games late in the year -- at Ohio State and in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama.
Now, linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary hopes that Barham is ready to take off, and he's seeing glimpses of his potential in spring ball.
"Our success comes from our culture in this building and the way we go about our process. And sometimes that's hard for people when they first get here," Jean-Mary said. "And I thought he did a really, really good job, because it takes time. It takes time to really feel like you're part of the team, no matter how talented you are or how much you bring to the table. And I thought he did a really good job.
"And as the year went on, I thought he got better and better as the season progressed, and he was more comfortable with what we were doing on defense. And he's been lights out this spring. You can see he's more comfortable with what we're doing. He's playing faster, playing physical, and it looks like he's having a lot of fun out there."
So, why did Barham struggle at times? What held him back from getting to the point where he ended up at the end of the season?
For one, Wink Martindale's defense isn't exactly a simple one. But also, it's not about playing hero ball -- something Barham often attempted to play, rather than working within the confines of the defensive system.
"Last year, just playing within the framework of what we do on defense," Jean-Mary said. "We always say this is probably the most unselfish defense in the country. We do a lot to set up other players on the team, and that takes a certain type of person, and we feel like we have those type of guys on this defense. And I think he's grown in that to know when we all are successful, then the individual will be successful also. And I think not that he was selfish. I don't want to make that seem that's what I was saying. I'm saying with working within the framework of the defense and not feeling like you have to overdo it to try to go make a play, just work within what we're doing.
"And the improvement that we've seen this spring, obviously, we think he's a dynamic blitzer and a guy that can really get after the quarterback and rush the passer, and you've seen the growth of him as a stacked linebacker and how he communicates with the rest of the guys on defense. You see those steps in him becoming a complete player."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the Michigan football defense in action on April 19 in the annual spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Jaishawn Barham improving for Michigan football in spring ball
Continue reading...
After some time, Barham seemed to start to get his sea legs underneath him, and he played his best games late in the year -- at Ohio State and in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama.
Now, linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary hopes that Barham is ready to take off, and he's seeing glimpses of his potential in spring ball.
"Our success comes from our culture in this building and the way we go about our process. And sometimes that's hard for people when they first get here," Jean-Mary said. "And I thought he did a really, really good job, because it takes time. It takes time to really feel like you're part of the team, no matter how talented you are or how much you bring to the table. And I thought he did a really good job.
"And as the year went on, I thought he got better and better as the season progressed, and he was more comfortable with what we were doing on defense. And he's been lights out this spring. You can see he's more comfortable with what we're doing. He's playing faster, playing physical, and it looks like he's having a lot of fun out there."
So, why did Barham struggle at times? What held him back from getting to the point where he ended up at the end of the season?
For one, Wink Martindale's defense isn't exactly a simple one. But also, it's not about playing hero ball -- something Barham often attempted to play, rather than working within the confines of the defensive system.
"Last year, just playing within the framework of what we do on defense," Jean-Mary said. "We always say this is probably the most unselfish defense in the country. We do a lot to set up other players on the team, and that takes a certain type of person, and we feel like we have those type of guys on this defense. And I think he's grown in that to know when we all are successful, then the individual will be successful also. And I think not that he was selfish. I don't want to make that seem that's what I was saying. I'm saying with working within the framework of the defense and not feeling like you have to overdo it to try to go make a play, just work within what we're doing.
"And the improvement that we've seen this spring, obviously, we think he's a dynamic blitzer and a guy that can really get after the quarterback and rush the passer, and you've seen the growth of him as a stacked linebacker and how he communicates with the rest of the guys on defense. You see those steps in him becoming a complete player."
Fans will get an opportunity to see the Michigan football defense in action on April 19 in the annual spring game at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Jaishawn Barham improving for Michigan football in spring ball
Continue reading...
