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Michigan football: Two linebackers standing out early in camp

Anthony Broomeby: Anthony Broome08/08/23anthonytbroome
Michigan linebacker Jaydon Hood enters the 2023 season with a world of potential but only four career tackles to his name
Michigan linebacker Jaydon Hood (34) plays against Northern Illinois during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (USA Today Syndication: Detroit Free Press)

Michigan football is into its second week of fall camp with plenty of snaps up for grabs, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That includes linebacker, where graduate Michael Barrett will be tasked with holding off a room full of up-and-comers to secure a job next to Junior Colson.

Ernest Hausmann has been a player mentioned as coming along fast, but Barrett told the media on Monday to keep their eyes on a third-year player that has yet to make much of an impact on defense.

“Jayden Hood, I feel like he’s made a big step from last year,” Barrett said. “He’s coming along really fast and learning and being able to help us step into that next spot.

“[Ernest Hausmann] has come along fast. He’s really impressed me just by how fast he’s been able to pick it up, moving around, just being comfortable in the defense already just being here for six months.”

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Hood has appeared in four games at Michigan, recording four tackles in his first two years with the program. He and Hausmann, along with sophomore Jimmy Rolder, have put in the work this offseason to earn a role in the linebacker rotation. With Kalel Mullings playing running back full-time and Nikhai Hill-Green transferring out, opportunities are plentiful so far.

Barrett knows that first and foremost he is looked at as a leader, and will play a role in bringing the younger players and new faces along.

“Keeping the same mindset, keeping the same goals and values that we always have,” Barrett said. “Just being better than we were yesterday. The young guys come in from all with the high school hype and just kind of transitioning them into college. Giving them slight nuggets and things like that.

“I know how difficult it is jumping from high school to college or just coming from a different school over here. Getting everybody as ready as they can as fast as they can so we can get this get this train rolling.”

The train started rolling after the 2020 season when Michigan put in the work to get back to contention status. The work so far has led to a 25-3 record in two seasons with a pair of wins over Ohio State, two Big Ten titles and two trips to the College Football Playoff.

The key to sustaining it is to keep everything in perspective.

“Not getting too high on it,” Barrett said. “Not making it bigger than what it is. Keeping the same mindset regardless of what’s going on, regardless of the situation, regardless of winning, losing, good day, bad day. We’re just focused on getting better every day competing.

“After that 2020 season, all the guys who stayed and came back built that mindset that we won’t be denied. And after that season, I feel like we just kind of kept that ball rolling. Just wanting to get better, not listening to anything on the outside, not worried about what anybody else thinks.”

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