Michigan football fans are still basking in the glow of the 30-27 win over Nebraska last week, a win that tasted even sweeter because it came over Matt Rhule.
The Nebraska head coach hasn't been shy in his criticism of Michigan and the sign-stealing scandal. He referenced it numerous times since that 2023 matchup, so it was fun to see the Wolverines shut him up.
A huge reason that Michigan football won the game was Jaishawn Barham, who made the move recently from inside linebacker to EDGE. Since that move, Michigan's defense has changed dramatically.
On Saturday, the Wolverines got 33 pressures against Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola on 41 dropbacks. Some of those pressures came from Barham, who had a sack, four tackles, and two tackles for loss.
In two games playing EDGE, Barham has three sacks and four tackles for loss. Having the 6-foot-3, 243-pound linebacker move to a pass-rushing role has been genius. It has allowed Cole Sullivan to get more time on the field, and he had an interception on Saturday, as well as a sack.
Barham was the guy who stood out, though, at least to Rhule, who was recapping Nebraska's loss to Michigan football on Thursday on the Pat McAfee show.
"You can't win in the Big Ten if you don't control the line of scrimmage and we have to improve that..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 25, 2025
Jaishawn Barham is a difference maker and so is Justice Haynes" ~ @CoachMattRhule #PMSLive https://t.co/pL3LCrVDhn pic.twitter.com/Belf3qacWv
"You're a top-10 pick"
"The week before, they moved Jaishawn Barham from middle linebacker to outside linebacker. I walked up to him after the game and said, 'You're a top-10 pick,'" Rhule said. "That changed everything. He didn't play there before. He played off the ball against Oklahoma. And he's a great off-ball linebacker, but he's a difference-maker coming off the edge."
Rhule also had praise for Michigan football running back Justice Haynes, who should be getting some Heisman buzz after four straight 100-yard games to open his Michigan career, becoming the first Wolverine ever to do that.
"You give him a crack and he's gone," Rhule said. "They are going to have to throw the ball more to win the Big Ten. But they have two guys there who I thought were top-10 type players."