Michigan football hopes it has something of a secret weapon, or perhaps, a pair of secret weapons. The Wolverines are much more confident than the pundits in college football about their front seven, but it isn’t just the defensive line that the maize and blue are optimistic about.
Though the linebacker duo of Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham were hit or miss last year, both appeared to have the lights turn on later in the season. And given what they showed behind the scenes in spring ball, there are expectations that the linebackers will dominate in 2025.
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While the media at large doesn’t seem to have much interest in the duo, the award-givers do. On Wednesday, Michigan football announced that both Hausmann and Barham have been added to the preseason Butkus Award watch list.
The Butkus Award, named after former Illinois star Dick Butkus, is given to the nation’s best linebacker. And while Hausmann and Barham will likely be the most prominently featured linebackers this year, Jimmy Rolder has been considered a third starter and will share playing time with the duo. Additionally, Georgia transfer Troy Bowles could see a lot of playing time (he’s recovering from an offseason injury and wasn’t available in spring ball), while sophomore Cole Sullivan is also coming on strong.
And freshmen Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor have also earned rave reviews this offseason.
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Still, Hausmann and Barham, in Wink Martindale’s scheme, figure to take a big step forward in 2025. Fans will get an opportunity to see both on August 30 when the Wolverines host New Mexico.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan’s Hausmann, Barham named to 2025 Butkus Award watch list
