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In the recent past, Michigan football had decent linebackers, but not game-changing ones. However, that's changed the past few seasons.
In 2023, Junior Colson and Mike Barrett set a new standard, and though it took some time for Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham to reach similar heights as new starters a year ago, both shined by the end of the season. Now, both linebackers return, but the depth goes far beyond them.
On Monday, Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary shared some thoughts on his position group, ranging from Hausmann stepping into a leadership role, Troy Bowles' injury status, Cole Sullivan's emergence, and to Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng's early returns in his first spring ball.
Here are some pertinent snippets as it pertains to the linebackers.
He has not practiced. We knew that coming in that he had to get a little cleanup surgery, and we told him we weren't going to rush him back. That was our big selling point with him was we kind of knew what type of player he was and what we were inheriting, and we wanted him to be 100% healthy because he wanted to go through spring. We said he could go through spring because he had been playing with it, kind of to establish himself. But we assured him that once he got healthy, he'd have every opportunity to come in and earn playing time.
So, he's been here. He's been great in the meetings. He's been a full participant in the weight room and some of the conditioning stuff. He just hasn't gone 11-on-11 football yet.
Nate has done a great job. He had to sit out most of his senior year. He was very highly thought of coming here. We're glad we have him. Explosive is what you would say when you see him on the field. Very, very fast, very, very explosive, intelligent, plays the game the right way. We're very, very high on him. We think he's got a chance to be a really good football player.
Last year, he had to kind of learn the position, but you saw some of what the future would look like for him once he got it. And you knew once that happened, you had a chance to have a really good football player. But you never know how quick that's going to happen. And what we've seen this spring, that page has really turned.
He's turned into one of the guys that we're going to be counting on on defense to be a major contributor. He's, like I said, he's had some practices where I would say he's one of the better guys on the field. He's really transformed his body. If you guys see him now, as far as just the physical part of it -- you can't teach the length that he has, and the athleticism that he has is really, really eye-popping sometimes.
[IMG alt="Nov. 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Mi., USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover (8) is tackled by University of Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) during the first half of SaturdayÕs NCAA Division I football game at Michigan Stadium. Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/wolverin...es_790/7471d77d26d8a754a0a306b7bb685df0[/IMG]
Man, we're so excited about him. We've said it before, and I'll keep saying it: we look at Jimmy as a third starter. He's a guy that's been here -- and knock on wood -- I think this is the healthiest he's been. I think the injuries have slowed him down the last two years. But this spring, he's been healthy. He's had some unbelievable practices. And he's a guy we view as a third starter. He's going to be a major part in the rotation, possibly start in a couple games. But we're thrilled to have him.
Ern has really taken the reins as the leader on defense, and I don't think anyone would disagree with me in saying that. Which, the position he plays, it lends itself to being the leader on defense when you're the middle linebacker, and he's embraced it. I thought he embraced it last year, and we had some, obviously, some great players that were— everybody knew was going to be there last year, even though they were true juniors, and he embraced that role, and I think he's really dove into it now and is the clear-cut guy that everybody looks to to lead the program.
Fans will get an opportunity to see the linebackers in action on Saturday in the annual spring game held at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football linebacker depth in spring ball
Continue reading...
In 2023, Junior Colson and Mike Barrett set a new standard, and though it took some time for Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham to reach similar heights as new starters a year ago, both shined by the end of the season. Now, both linebackers return, but the depth goes far beyond them.
On Monday, Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary shared some thoughts on his position group, ranging from Hausmann stepping into a leadership role, Troy Bowles' injury status, Cole Sullivan's emergence, and to Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng's early returns in his first spring ball.
Here are some pertinent snippets as it pertains to the linebackers.
On Georgia transfer Troy Bowles
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He has not practiced. We knew that coming in that he had to get a little cleanup surgery, and we told him we weren't going to rush him back. That was our big selling point with him was we kind of knew what type of player he was and what we were inheriting, and we wanted him to be 100% healthy because he wanted to go through spring. We said he could go through spring because he had been playing with it, kind of to establish himself. But we assured him that once he got healthy, he'd have every opportunity to come in and earn playing time.
So, he's been here. He's been great in the meetings. He's been a full participant in the weight room and some of the conditioning stuff. He just hasn't gone 11-on-11 football yet.
On true freshman Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
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Nate has done a great job. He had to sit out most of his senior year. He was very highly thought of coming here. We're glad we have him. Explosive is what you would say when you see him on the field. Very, very fast, very, very explosive, intelligent, plays the game the right way. We're very, very high on him. We think he's got a chance to be a really good football player.
On sophomore Cole Sullivan
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Last year, he had to kind of learn the position, but you saw some of what the future would look like for him once he got it. And you knew once that happened, you had a chance to have a really good football player. But you never know how quick that's going to happen. And what we've seen this spring, that page has really turned.
He's turned into one of the guys that we're going to be counting on on defense to be a major contributor. He's, like I said, he's had some practices where I would say he's one of the better guys on the field. He's really transformed his body. If you guys see him now, as far as just the physical part of it -- you can't teach the length that he has, and the athleticism that he has is really, really eye-popping sometimes.
On Jimmy Rolder
[IMG alt="Nov. 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Mi., USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover (8) is tackled by University of Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (30) during the first half of SaturdayÕs NCAA Division I football game at Michigan Stadium. Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/wolverin...es_790/7471d77d26d8a754a0a306b7bb685df0[/IMG]
Man, we're so excited about him. We've said it before, and I'll keep saying it: we look at Jimmy as a third starter. He's a guy that's been here -- and knock on wood -- I think this is the healthiest he's been. I think the injuries have slowed him down the last two years. But this spring, he's been healthy. He's had some unbelievable practices. And he's a guy we view as a third starter. He's going to be a major part in the rotation, possibly start in a couple games. But we're thrilled to have him.
On Ernest Hausmann
You must be registered for see images attach
Ern has really taken the reins as the leader on defense, and I don't think anyone would disagree with me in saying that. Which, the position he plays, it lends itself to being the leader on defense when you're the middle linebacker, and he's embraced it. I thought he embraced it last year, and we had some, obviously, some great players that were— everybody knew was going to be there last year, even though they were true juniors, and he embraced that role, and I think he's really dove into it now and is the clear-cut guy that everybody looks to to lead the program.
Fans will get an opportunity to see the linebackers in action on Saturday in the annual spring game held at The Big House.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football linebacker depth in spring ball
Continue reading...
