Michigan will once again be using the portal to restock ahead of the 2024 campaign. Last year, Michigan landed several starters such as LaDarius Henderson, Drake Nugent, and Josh Wallace, while also picking up some rotational pieces for the future. This portal season looks no different for Michigan as they are raiding college football again for top talent once again.
One of the key defenders likely leaving for the draft is linebacker Junior Colson. Michigan has Ernest Haussmann ready to start, but the second starter and depth are still up in the air. Right now, it looks like Jimmy Rolder will start with Jaydon Hood as the first guy off the bench, but Michigan looks like they want some extra insurance. Enter Barham.
The true sophomore was a top 120 recruit nationally and has played extensively in his two seasons for the Terps recording 96 tackles and seven sacks in his career.
The first thing to like about Barham is his size. He’s pretty tall for an off-ball linebacker at 6-foot-4 four and about 230 pounds. He’s built like an edge defender but can move in coverage like a much smaller player, especially going side to side. His long speed is relatively untested, but linebackers typically require short-distance bursts more often than 40-yard sprints. Barham’s long frame gives him advantageous arm length to engage blockers and get in passing lanes, but he did not show the ability to fully utilize his build on tape.
Barham is very patient when defending the run. Sometimes too patient, even. He loves to take read steps, but rarely triggers downhill to fill a gap with force and seems more comfortable going sideline to sideline. This means that Barham rarely gives up leverage and cutback lanes with over pursuit, but also doesn’t create many plays behind the line of scrimmage. That being said, Barham does show the ability and willingness to attack blockers. He does a good job targeting the outside shoulder of offensive players and getting upfield to keep ball carriers from cutting back inside. Maryland may have been coaching him to react softly to inside runs, so I would expect Michigan to change that philosophy and utilize his athleticism.
The skill is there in coverage. Barham moves very well and can change direction better than most linebackers in college. He can flip his hips and gain depth but also break on the ball well. He didn’t play much man coverage on tight ends at Maryland, but the skills should translate and make him a solid piece in either man or zone coverage. Barham especially excels in mirroring backs out of the backfield, an area that has plagued Michigan recently. He understands how to play top-down and what angle to take to be on the backs hip without drifting upfield and allowing yards after catch.
Maryland occasionally lined Barham up as an edge defender, but I don’t like the fit. He has the build to play a Jaylen Harrell role but lacks the pass-rushing moves and the bend to get home consistently. He can be a good blitz piece from his off-ball spot, but I suggest he sticks there unless a serious injury bug hits the team.
Barham is a huge get. He’s a talented player who might stick around for two years and gives the linebacker position both depth and talent. Assuming Colson leaves for the draft, I could see Barham starting week one next season alongside Ernest Haussmann. Jimmy Rolder and Jaydon Hood will battle to be the first guy off the bench, but I like Barham better than both of them right now.