Michigan Football: Previewing the Wolverines Defense in 2023

Linebacker

Wow, this linebacker room is stacked. Last season, Michigan football struggled with linebacker depth. This season, it looks to be a strength.

Michigan returns starters Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, along with sophomore Jimmy Rolder and junior Jaydon Hood. Hood has been receiving tons of praise recently, and looks to take on a bigger role this season.

After getting significant snaps as a freshman, Jimmy Rolder should be much better as a sophomore. It’ll be interesting to see what his sophomore leap looks like. He’s going to be a crucial piece of this room.

Obviously, everyone knows Junior Colson. He should be the best linebacker on the team, and the former Freshman All-American could be one of the best in the nation. He flies to the ball and is a huge asset to this defense.

Next to him is Michael Barrett. The super senior played a crucial role for the Wolverines last season, becoming a full-time starter by the end of the season. Barrett earned a captain role for the 2023 season and is going to be an excellent role model for the rest of the team. He fought for his spot and earned every second of playing time.

Barrett made some huge plays in the 2022 season and should be able to make even more in 2023.

Lastly, we have the exciting Nebraska transfer, Ernest Hausmann. Hausmann had a great season as a freshman and was one of the top overall players in the transfer portal. He has phenomenal potential and could end the season as one of the best linebackers in America.

He’s going to challenge Barrett for the second starting linebacker spot, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he won it in due time. Hausmann has been the recipient of plenty of hype this offseason, and I can’t wait to see him in action on Saturday.

He’s a guy that can fly around the field sideline to sideline and make impact plays. That’s a guy that can help you win a championship.