There are some important NFL draft decisions still looming for Michigan football but it looks like one might go the way of the Wolverines.
Linebacker Jaishawn Barham, who was stellar in his first season with the Wolverines with 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two pass breakups, is expected back according to a new report from Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider. It feels like he made a much bigger impact than those numbers show.
Jaishawn Barham could be back at a new position for Michigan football
Barham proved to be a versatile piece for the Wolverines. Whether it was in coverage, as a blitzer, or a traditional linebacker, Barham played all three roles well.
According to Webb, Barham is expected to be back for another season and is also expected to play EDGE.
That's expected to be his best position at the next level and if he does make that switch, it would give Michigan football a jack-of-all-trades linebacker. Barham is a talented pass rusher and I wondered more than once this season how he would do as an EDGE.
It will be fun to watch him play that position full time. Michigan also has Derrick Moore and TJ Guy expected back for next season. We don't know if Ernest Hausmann will be back but it looks like it right now.
The Wolverines would need some younger linebackers to step up but Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan seem up to the task, which would allow the 6-foot-3, 248-pound Barham to play EDGE.
I'm sure he'll play some traditional linebacker and it will be fun to see how Wink Martindale uses him next season. Either way, whether it's EDGE or linebacker, if Barham does come back, that's huge for Michigan football.