Last week, Ernest Hausmann brought the house down on the New Mexico Lobos, leading Michigan's defensive efforts with eight total tackles.
The veteran linebacker has undeniably become a star for the Michigan Wolverines, but a lot of people didn't know the story of his childhood until ESPN featured Hausmann and his family on College GameDay.
Hausmann was born in Uganda and is one of 23 siblings. He was heartbreakingly put up for adoption when his parents contracted and were diagnosed with AIDS. Instead of growing up in Africa, he grew up playing football and eventually found his way to Ann Arbor.
He returned to Uganda this offseason, reuniting with his family, whom he hadn't seen in nearly two decades, and earned a newfound appreciation for where he is from.
Drinking from the wells in his childhood village and reuniting with his mother, Hausmann gained a new perspective on life, and he brought it back with him to Michigan.
Michigan LB Ernest Hausmann was born in Uganda as one of 23 siblings. When his parents contracted AIDS, they were forced to put him up for adoption.
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 6, 2025
After nearly two decades of living nearly halfway around the world, Hausmann had the chance to travel back to Africa and… pic.twitter.com/KkkC9V9uIx
Hausmann started his collegiate career at Nebraska, playing a year for the Cornhuskers before transferring to play for the Michigan Wolverines.
Since coming to Ann Arbor, Hausmann has earned an impressive 143 total tackles (75 solo), two sacks, one interception, and one pass deflection. This season, he is expected to be absolutely electric for the Wolverines.
Last week, Hausmann earned eight tackles for Michigan as the team blew past the Lobos in a 34-17 victory to start their season.
After the feature on ESPN College GameDay, which was in Norman, OK, for Michigan's game against Oklahoma, Hausmann and the No. 15 Wolverines took on the No. 18 Sooners on the road. Michigan and Oklahoma kicked off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.