Maryland LB transfer Jaishawn Barham commits to Michigan football
Michigan Wolverines football has made a splash in the NCAA transfer portal, landing a commitment from former Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham. He has two years of eligiblity remaining, after playing a pair of seasons in College Park.
The 6-4, 233-pounder is the No. 75 overall player and fifth-best linebacker in the transfer portal, according to On3’s rankings.
Barham entered the transfer portal Dec. 4. He visited Michigan the week of Dec. 10. The Wolverines recruited the Baltimore St. Frances product during his prep recruitment in 2022, but he didn’t wind up taking his official visit until being courted as a transfer.
Barham joins sophomore EDGE Derrick Moore and senior running back Blake Corum as Michigan players from St. Frances, with that pipeline having long been established.
He registered 59 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 pass breakup and a forced fumble as a freshman, playing in 12 games. He was slowed by injury in 2023, seeing time in 10 contests, but still recorded 37 stops, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup and an interception that came at the goal line in a 31-24 loss to Michigan Nov. 18.
The Michigan transfer commit can play the traditional linebacker spot, but the Wolverines could also use him as a rusher off the edge. He saw 392 snaps in the box and 99 along the defensive line this season. He also lined up over the slot on seven plays.
Maryland head coach Michael Locksley raved about Barham in a press conference this fall.
“I still think the sky is the limit for him as a football player, but it’s been good to see the personality of … he’s one of those guys that, as I always say, is part of the special forces — meaning that if I need something done within this team and to get messaging across,” Locksley said.
Michigan is set to lose graduate Michael Barrett, a starting middle linebacker, after this season, since he’s out of eligibility. And junior Junior Colson will also have a decision to make, a draftbable NFL prospect. Colson (79) and Barrett (52) are the Wolverines’ top two tacklers this season. Sophomore Ernest Hausmann (43) is third on the team in tackles and rotated in at linebacker.
Barham was the No. 145 overall player and No. 11 linebacker in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Michigan is in the College Football Playoff and will clash with Alabama Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl.
