Michigan Football: Michael Barrett could make the perfect Viper

There are a number of candidates that will have a chance to be the next Viper for Michigan football, yet it seems like Michael Barrett would be perfect.

Michigan football has been trying to find a home for Michael Barrett over the last two years and it looks like the Wolverines have found the ideal place for him at linebacker.

Barrett came to Michigan football as an athlete, a guy that could potentially play running back, safety or linebacker. He’s 6-foot and around 227 pounds and according to Don Brown, who offered some high praise on Barrett in a recent interview with Jon Jansen,  said he ran a 4.51 this summer in the 40-yard dash.

Brown also told Jansen Barrett would get the first shot at being the Viper next season:

"“The nice thing with Michael, he can play SAM, he can play VIPER. He ran a 4.51 this winter. He’s in great shape. He’ll obviously get first dibs. But the nice thing is we have guys behind him that can give them jobs in different packages — that can help develop confidence as they’re going through the learning curve of the VIPER position.”"

It seems like Brown isn’t the only staff member excited about Barrett as Steve Lorenz of The Michigan Insider ($) also wrote that Barrett’s name is one he keeps hearing.

So far in his career, Barrett is best known for helping Michigan football convert a couple of take punts. At one time, he was a quarterback in high school, but he was an incredible runner and some thought he would be an ideal running back.

However, that never really came to fruition with the Wolverines who seem to have a bigger need for him at linebacker and with Khaleke Hudson, Jordan Glasgow and Josh Uche all gone, it’s time for guys to step up.

Anthony Solomon is someone that will also be in the mix for a starting job. Under Brown, Michigan football has used its linebackers in a number of different ways. Last year, Brown generally played with four linebackers.

Cameron McGrone will be one starter, while the other positions are pretty open right now. Barrett has a good chance to start at one spot, whether it’s Viper or Sam. But with his speed and his versatility, he seems like a great fit as a Viper, because make no mistake, that position requires a dynamic athlete and Barrett is that.