Michigan Transfer Named One Of The Top 10 Returning Players In 2024

Once again, the Michigan Wolverines did a phenomenal job supplementing the roster via the transfer portal during the off-season.

Michigan running back Blake Corum's helmet sits on the turf during warmups before the Ohio State game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Once again, the Michigan Wolverines did a phenomenal job in supplementing the roster via the transfer portal during the off-season. Offensively, Michigan landed Northwestern transfer Josh Priebe, a guard who was a team captain with the Wildcats in during the 2023 season. The Wolverines also added a pair of wideouts with Amorion Walker (Ole Miss) and CJ Charleston (Youngstown State).

On the defensive side of the ball, Michigan added five transfers who are all expected to play a significant role this fall. That defensive group is headlined by former Maryland linebacker, Jaishawn Barham. The 6-4, 235 pound linebacker was one of the top defensive players for the Terrapins last season, finishing as an All-Big Ten honorable mention as a sophomore. Ironically enough, Barham nabbed his first career interception against Michigan in 2023 during the Week 11 matchup in College Park.

Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) during the first half in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Barham, who's expected to be a starter this fall, is joined by another former transfer who joined the Wolverines heading into the 2023 season - Ernest Hausmann. Between Barham and Hausmann, the loss of veterans Junior Colson and Michael Barrett to the NFL shouldn't be all that painful. In fact, it's a realistic possibility that the tandem of Hausmann and Barham is actually an improvement in 2024.

PFF College recently put together a list of the top 10 returning linebackers in all of college football this season, and Barham came in at No. 5 overall. Here's what PFF had to say about the Michigan transfer:

1. Harold Perkins, LSU
10. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

PFF’s Top 10 Linebackers in College Football⬇️https://t.co/kuA6CchIDQ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 7, 2024

5. JAISHAWN BARHAM, MICHIGAN

Barham broke onto the scene as a true freshman in 2022, placing fifth among Power Five linebackers with an 83.1 PFF coverage grade. He finished the season as the seventh-most valuable linebacker in the country according to PFF’s wins above-average metric. Barham was limited by injuries as a sophomore and posted just a 44.7 PFF coverage grade this past season. He’ll try to rebound at a new home in 2024, as he transferred from Maryland to Michigan in December.

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