Linebackers
Power Rankings
| 1. | Junior Colson |
| 2. | Nikhai Hill-Green |
| 3. | Mike Barrett (or) |
| 3. | Kalel Mullings |
| 5. | Joey Velazquez |
| 6. | Jaydon Hood |
| 7. | Jimmy Rolder |
| 8. | Tyler McLaurin |
Analysis
The linebacker group isn’t as deep as some of the other positions, but it has some established, as well as emerging, playmakers, across the board.
DC Jesse Minter described Junior Colson as the next elite Michigan linebacker, and that tracks, as he has the speed and instincts, and now experience, to make good on his potential. Hill-Green was a starter last year and should make a big jump from last year. Michael Barrett has started before in the VIPER position, and can be a bit of a mistake eraser, though more so in a hybrid role. Mullings is a little bit more of a traditional Big Ten throwback, but he still appears to be finding his way (he also may moonlight at running back, a position he played in high school). Velazquez has seen time, primarily on special teams, and appears to be poised to step into a bigger role.
The next group are players we haven’t really seen yet. Hood has the look of being a great linebacker, as we saw in the spring game, and should take a big step forward in his second year after being a four-star from a talent-rich high school in Florida. Rolder is a true freshman who Jim Harbaugh described as being in the vein of the elite Big Ten linebackers, and could be an early contributor, to be sure. McLaurin we haven’t really seen, and he isn’t much of a known commodity at this point.
Next, let’s look at the safety position.