'He causes problems' - Why Jaishawn Barham may be the best Michigan football linebacker ever

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — We’ve been telling you to watch out for No. 1 and just days before the 2024 season opener, everyone in Michigan football is telling you to do the same.

The Wolverines felt like they got a steal in former Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham, who came to Ann Arbor via the transfer portal early in the offseason. With Junior Colson and Mike Barrett both moving on to the NFL, Barham is set to appear next to Ernest Hausmann. But Hausmann was hyped up last year, coming to Michigan from Nebraska as the No. 1 player in the transfer portal at the time. Barham didn’t have as much fanfare, but when it comes to Saturday’s season opener, players and coaches alike are telling to watch No. 1 hit.

Wide receiver Tyler Morris hasn’t matched up with Barham in fall camp, but notes that those who have have insisted that they don’t exactly have a good time.

“Not in camp but taking on block from him, from what I’ve heard, is not easy at all,” Morris said. “He’s definitely been a problem. He’s just different to be honest. He causes problems. He’s big, he’s fast, he can move laterally, so I think he’s going to be a big help to us this year.”

Kalel Mullings switched over from being a full-time linebacker his first two years to being a full-time running back last year. Unlike Morris, he’s had the misfortune of matching up one-on-one with Barham. And despite knowing what’s coming, given that he’s played the position, Mullings says that you have to be ready when you see Barham in the hole.

“Yeah — oh, yeah. We’ve done it a bunch,” Mullings said. “He comes with his stuff for sure. You’ve gotta strap and buckle your helmet every single time, every single time you’re going after (Barham). And personally, just been trying to use Jaishawn as a way to get myself better, because if you don’t come correct with him — man, you’ll end up on your (expletive deleted).

“All throughout camp, man, just been using that as an opportunity to prepare myself and sharpen myself, because (expletive deleted), if I can block this, if I could block this dude, I could block anyone in the country.”

Even those on the coaching staff who are about as far away from having to worry about Barham in fall camp have concerns — of a good nature.

Grant Newsome’s offensive line only really would have to worry about Barham on blitzes, but given his penchant for hitting, when he does come, he presents challenges.

“I’m excited to see him rush somebody else! He’s unbelievable,” Newsome said. “He’s unbelievable. I can confidently say he’s probably the most physically gifted second-level player we’ve had here, player we’ve had here in my time. Probably the closest was Devin (Bush), when he’s bigger than Devin by a good bit. And I don’t want to like overstate it, but he’s really, really good. He’s unbelievable, which has been an awesome challenge for our guys.

“I had a kind of funny conversation the first time Josh (Priebe) squared up on him. And it was a challenge every single day — just like it is with Mason, K.G., Stew, D. Moore, all those guys. It truly is a blessing for us because we face guys who — we may see a guy who’s as good as that maybe across the country, but we don’t see one who’s better. I would stand on the table right now and say that there’s not a better linebacker in the country now than that guy, and that’s not that insult to any of those guys who have come before him, the Juniors, the Devins, et cetera — Mike B.s. But he’s a specimen. I’m excited to see him fly around and make plays on Saturday.”

That’s high praise, especially considering the linebacking corps of the past two seasons, as well as how good Devin Bush was during his tenure.

Defensive line coach Lou Esposito doesn’t coach Barham directly but given that the linebackers play just behind his unit, he’s got strong insight as to what he brings to the table.

“He’s an old-school (linebacker). He’s physical. He’s tough. Like I said, he can cover. He can rush,” Esposito said. “You just watch his tape from last year, and he does all that at Maryland. So we’ll put him in some great situations here.”

Going further, Esposito says fans are going to have wow moments once per game given Barham’s penchant for contact as well as his ability to snuff out plays.

“I’m telling you, he is special,” Esposito said. “He is tough and physical and explosive, and he can cover. I mean, the kid can do it. I say the kid — the man can do it all. I really, really respect him. And he’s a guy that he’s going to be one of those guys where once or twice a game, he’s going to make a hit and the crowd’s going to go, ‘Ooh!’ because he’s going to light somebody up.

“And he is ready to go. We’re ready to go with him, too.”