Michigan has both depth and experience at the linebacker position. Here’s a preview of the unit heading into spring ball.
An area of experience on Michigan’s defense is at the linebacker position. Michigan is returning two starters at linebacker and has other depth players with experience. While it’s a veteran-heavy position for the Wolverines they’ve also added two true freshmen at LB.
With spring ball just a couple of weeks away, here’s a preview of Michigan at linebacker.
Ernest Hausmann
Hausmann played his freshman season at Nebraska before playing the last two years for the Wolverines. Hausmann was a marathon man for Michigan last season, tallying the most snaps on the team with 712 snaps. Last season Hausmann recorded 89 tackles (54 solo) with two sacks and one interception. Hausmann, now in his senior season, will likely be one of Michigan’s captains and be the quarterback of Michigan’s defense while having in-helmet communication with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
Jaishawn Barham
Barham transferred to Michigan last season after spending his first two collegiate campaigns at Maryland, where he started 23 games. Barham started 13 games for Michigan last season, totaling 66 tackles (40 solo), five quarterback hurries, and one sack. Barham had solid grades on PFF with a run defense grade of 87.2 run and an 83.2 tackling grade. Barham may be in line for a more versatile role on Michigan’s defense in 2025. Per Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito , Barham could play snaps at both edge rusher and linebacker this season.
Jimmy Rolder
Rolder’s the reason that Barham will be able to take snaps at both edge and linebacker. When Barham is in at edge expect to see Rolder operate Barham’s spot at linebacker. Rolder set career a high as a junior in 2024 with 26 tackles (15 solo). Overall, Rolder has appeared in 31 games at Michigan with 24 at linebacker.
Cole Sullivan
Sullivan was a four-star prospect in the 2024 class and only played 14 defensive snaps last season as a true freshman. Sullivan’s snap count is bound to rise exponentially this fall. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said last year that Sullivan “looks like a defensive end but runs like a linebacker.”
Jaydon Hood
Hood’s in his fifth year at Michigan and has 26 career tackles (12 solo) and will be part of the rotation at linebacker. The most tackles Hood had in a game last season was against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where he totaled 3.
Troy Bowles
Bowles is an interesting addition and is yet another transfer in the Michigan LB room. Bowles transferred to Michigan from Georgia back in December. Bowles appeared in just five games in two seasons for Georgia but was a highly touted high school recruit, ranked as the No. 80 player in the 2023 class. Bowles is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and had three years of remaining eligibility.
The Rest
- Two true freshmen linebackers, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor are early enrollees and will be with the team for spring practices. Owusu-Boateng is a four-star prospect from IMG Academy in Florida and Taylor is a three-star prospect from Georgia.
- Jason Hewlett was a four-star prospect in the class of 2023 and has three career tackles.
- Zach Ludwig was a three-star prospect in the class of 2024 and has yet to appear in a game for Michigan.