Senior LB Ernest Hausmann is among the unquestioned leaders for the Wolverines this upcoming season, and will provide reliability and stability to Michigan’s defense:
The Michigan Wolverines are having to reload across most position groups heading into the 2025 season, but linebacker isn’t one of them. One of the top returning players on the entire defense, Ernest Hausmann is back one more year and hoping to take Michigan back to the College Football Playoff before heading to the NFL.
Today, we detail Hausmann’s path to Michigan and his outlook for the upcoming season.
The journey so far
Hausmann was a three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class out of Columbus, Nebraska. He signed with the hometown Cornhuskers over offers from other schools like Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota and more. He played right away as a true freshman, racking up 54 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery.
Following the season, Hausmann entered his name into the transfer portal and eventually signed with the Wolverines, even though he knew he would be taking a backseat to returning starters Michael Barrett and Junior Colson. Hausmann’s unselfishness paid off, as he was the third-leading tackler on the team (46 tackles) in a pivotal reserve role on the 2023 national championship squad.
Hausmann had a much bigger role in 2024 and started all 13 games. He led the team in tackles with 89, to go along with seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two two pass breakups and one interception. He was named Michigan’s Defensive Player of the Game three times, and earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention by the coaches and media for his efforts.
INTERCEPTED BY ERNEST HAUSMANN. @UMichFootball x @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/nugXn0Ps3r
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 6, 2024
Outlook for 2025
The expectation is for Hausmann to remain one of the starting linebackers for Michigan this fall. Considering he will be one of the player representatives at Big Ten Media Days, I am assuming he has a pretty good shot at being named a team captain in 2025 as well.
“The position he plays lends itself to being the leader on defense, and he’s embraced that,” Jean-Mary said this spring. “I think he’s really dove into it now and is a clear-cut guy that everybody looks to to lead the program.”
“Ernest Hausman, he’s definitely very detailed in his work, doesn’t let anybody outwork him for sure,” sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan said this spring. “He’s always just cared for others and want to see his teammates and other people’s success, so I would say that’s just how he’s always been.”
With the coaching staff having to rely on new faces at various positions across the board, linebacker is one of the very few that Sherrone Moore doesn’t have to worry too much about. Hausmann is a big reason for that, and he will once again provide reliability and stability to the team before heading to the pros.