Michigan Takes a Risk with Jaishawn Barham’s Position Change: Will It Pay Off or Fail?
Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham is poised to take his game to the next level, as reports suggest he will shift from linebacker to edge rusher ahead of the 2025 season. At 6-3 and 248 pounds, Barham possesses the size, speed, and athleticism to make a significant impact in this new role for the Wolverines.
Barham’s transition to edge rusher is set to be one of the most intriguing storylines for Michigan as they look to maintain their elite defensive status in the coming years. As Michigan prepares for the 2024 season, offensive line coach Grant Newsome has already sung Barham’s praises, calling him the most physically gifted second-level player he has seen during his time in Ann Arbor.
“I’m excited to see him rush somebody else,” Newsome said, a comment that underscores the excitement around Barham’s move. “He’s unbelievable. I can confidently say he’s probably the most physically gifted second-level player we’ve had here in my time. Probably the closest was Devin [Bush], but he’s bigger than Devin by a good bit. I don’t want to overstate it, but he’s really, really good. He’s unbelievable. Which has been an awesome challenge for our guys.”
Barham’s athleticism has long been a standout feature of his game, and his ability to excel as an edge rusher could make him one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten. The move will allow him to tap into his raw potential, giving Michigan a versatile and dangerous weapon on the defensive side of the ball.
A Look at Barham’s Impressive 2024 Campaign
Before fully making the transition to edge rusher, Barham had a productive 2024 season as a linebacker for Michigan, showcasing his skills in multiple ways. Here are some key highlights from his junior year:
– Player of the Game (Arkansas State): Barham’s standout performance against Arkansas State earned him shared honors as the team’s defensive player of the game.
– Debut & First Career Start (Fresno State): In his debut for Michigan, Barham recorded two tackles and a quarterback hurry, showing early signs of his potential.
– Impressive Tackling & Leadership: Throughout the season, Barham consistently led the team in tackles, including a team-high seven against Arkansas State and Michigan State. He also added a key half-tackle for loss and pass breakups in several games.
– First Career Sack (Indiana): In a strong performance against Indiana, Barham registered his first career sack, continuing his growth as a defensive playmaker.
Barham’s ability to contribute at a high level from multiple positions will serve him well as he moves to the edge. His versatility and playmaking ability should allow him to continue being a dominant force for Michigan, especially with his natural athleticism and eye for the football.
Barham’s History Prior to Michigan
Before joining the Wolverines, Barham had an impressive career at Maryland, where he was a standout linebacker for the Terrapins. His achievements in college football include:
– Freshman All-American (2022): Barham’s impressive freshman year saw him earn first-team honors from College Football News, and he was also named a midseason honoree by The Athletic.
– Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalist: His breakout season in 2022 saw him become a semifinalist for the prestigious Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
– All-Big Ten Honors: Barham earned All-Big Ten recognition in both 2022 (honorable mention from the media) and 2023 (honorable mention from the coaches), cementing his status as one of the Big Ten’s top linebackers.
His success at Maryland laid the groundwork for his future at Michigan, where Barham has only continued to improve. With two years of starting experience and a list of accolades that includes Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, Barham’s potential as a playmaker is clear.
Michigan’s Defensive Future
As Michigan moves forward in 2025, Barham’s position change could offer a seamless transition after the departure of veteran edge rusher Josaiah Stewart. The Wolverines are expected to return experienced edge rushers like Derrick Moore and TJ Guy, giving them plenty of depth at the position. With Barham in the mix, Michigan’s defensive line could remain just as formidable, if not more so, in the years to come.
With Barham’s athleticism and versatility, Michigan could continue to rotate its edge rushers without seeing any drop-off in production. As he steps into his new role, Barham will look to build on his impressive career so far, aiming to become one of the premier pass rushers in college football and play a key role in Michigan’s defense for years to come.
As the Wolverines prepare for the 2024 season and Barham embraces his new challenge, all eyes will be on the edge rusher’s ability to dominate at a new position, bringing even more excitement to Michigan’s already stellar defensive unit.
