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Michigan Football: Spring Ball Analysis and Changes

By Jordan Bruetsch

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 05: Linebacker Ernest Hausmann #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and defensive back Marques Buford Jr. #1 tackle running back Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 05: Linebacker Ernest Hausmann #15 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and defensive back Marques Buford Jr. #1 tackle running back Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022, in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Linebacker depth

If I told you a year ago that Michigan football would be extremely deep at linebacker in 2023, you probably would have laughed. It was scary how thin the Wolverines were at the position in 2022.

With Nikhai Hill-Green out for the entire season, Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, and freshman Jimmy Rolder were really the only linebackers Michigan football had available. Now, however, the Wolverines have a plethora of talent at the position.

Hill-Green is recovering quicker than expected, and he’ll be a great piece. Remember, he saw some very significant playing time in 2021 and looked to be a star in 2022. While he may not be a starter — at least to start the year — he’ll be a valuable depth piece.

The other big linebacker addition is Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann. Hausmann looked great as a freshman at Nebraska. In 10 games played according to ESPN, Hausmann racked up 54 tackles, including 10 against Michigan and 28 over his final three games.

Those are some impressive stats for a freshman. Look for him to be an instant contributor and potential starter by the end of the season.

Next, Jimmy Rolder. Rolder did well, being thrust into the linebacker rotation as a freshman. While he only contributed 14 tackles over 8 games, he looked like a very promising player. I expect him to be even better this season even though his playing time could decrease.

And of course, there’s Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, who I’ll only briefly talk about. Colson enters his junior year looking to become a superstar and will be a leader of the defense. Barrett, in his sixth year, played great last season. He was asked to do a lot, and he succeeded. I’m expecting these two to be even better this season.

While I’m fully expecting Colson and Barrett to be the starters next season, the group is going to look very different. We can expect more creativity from Jesse Minter with the linebackers, and there could be times when three or four linebackers are on the field.

The group will be able to rotate very smoothly, which will keep everyone fresh and prevent some of the fatigue we saw last year. As a whole, this group looks extremely improved going into 2023, and I’m excited to see them in action.

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