Name: Michael Barrett
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 233 lbs.
High school: Valdosta (GA) Lowndes
Position: Linebacker
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: #23
Last year: I ranked Barrett #20 and said he would be a starting inside linebacker (LINK). He made 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass breakup while starting one game.
TTB Rating: 82
Barrett is a former high school quarterback, and I love me some quarterbacks. It just seems like when you're a Division I-caliber athlete with the smarts and leadership to play quarterback, you're likely to figure it out at the next level. But the switch from defensive coordinator Don Brown to Mike Macdonald didn't bode well for the former hybrid linebacker/safety, and now the move to Jesse Minter doesn't seem any better, since he coaches the same system as Macdonald.
Michigan will probably play more of a true nickel safety rather than a linebacker, and anyway, Barrett has added six pounds since last year and is playing more inside linebacker. He appears to be the #3 guy at inside linebacker behind Junior Colson and Nikhai Hill-Green. I would expect him to play special teams, too, where he has been valuable over the past few years.
Prediction: Backup inside linebacker, special teamer
Just a hunch-guess but I think Barrett is going to have a break out year. He's got talent and experience. Year 2 in this system could be time to find his fit. Last seasons tend to bring urgency.
ReplyDeleteI want this to be the case, Lank. Would love to see him end his Michigan career with a bang, become a late-round pick and be an NFL special teams weapon for several years.
ReplyDelete—Joby