Michigan OL Karsen Barnhart declares for 2024 NFL Draft
Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, ending his five-season career in Ann Arbor. He had a potential sixth year of eligibility thanks to a redshirt and COVID-19 eligibility rules, but has decided to go out on a high note.
Barnhart is a two-time All-Big Ten selection (second team, coaches; third team, media, 2023; honorable mention, coaches and media, 2022) and part of two Joe Moore Award-winning offensive lines in 2021 and 2022. He was also named the Most Improved Player on Offense by the team after the 2022 season.
Barnhart wore many hats for Michigan during his U-M career, appearing in 43 career games with 31 starts – nine at left tackle, three at right guard, two at left guard and 17 at right tackle. This season, he opened the year as the team’s starting left tackle before moving to the right side when LaDarius Henderson entered the starting lineup. He started the last three games of the year at right guard after Zak Zinter’s broken leg in the Ohio State game.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Barnhart was a four-star recruit and the No. 271 player in the country out of Paw Paw, Michigan in the 2019 class.. He was the state’s eighth-ranked prospect and the No. 23 offensive tackle in the land.
Barnhart had previously said that the NFL was in the cards for him and that he had a place down in Florida that he had planned to work out and get into draft shape.
“I’m going on to the NFL,” Barnhart told The Wolverine’s Chris Balas at the Rose Bowl. “I thought about it before the season even started. I think that’s probably the best thing for me.”
Barnhart told the coaches his plans ahead of the Rose Bowl and reflected on his career in Ann Arbor.
“It’s been awesome to be a part of this team for 5 years, see the ups and downs we went through,” Barnhart said. “We had the lowest of lows in 2020, then to come back and beat Ohio State three years in a row, be here three years in a row.
“But … we want more this year.”
Barnhart and Michigan achieved more, ultimately winning the Rose Bowl over Alabama and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Barnhart is not a prominent name on any current NFL Draft boards, but has a chance to test will and move into late-round consideration with a good offseason. He brings positional versatility between the guard and tackle spots, though he is likely a guard at the next level.
There will be plenty of competition at U-M next season with Barnhart moving on and a new-look offensive line, but he leaves knowing that he helped the Wolverines get back to the mountaintop.
