ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Every year during the offseason, a player goes from ‘Who’s that?’ to being a bona fide contributor. That change may happen earlier in the year, but generally cements itself during fall camp.
And this year is no different.
Jim Harbaugh met with the media on Tuesday and peppered throughout his 25-minute media availability, he singled out multiple players who have really taken their games to the next level. While did speak about more than four overall, he spent more time on four in particular.
An already established starter
First, echoing a sentiment he made on the Big Ten Network’s fall camp series, looking at the offensive line — a group that’s bursting at the seams with talent — no player has been more impressive than Karsen Barnhart.
Barnhart was the second starter, behind Trente Jones before his injury, at right tackle last year, but Harbaugh notes that across the line in fall camp, Barnhart has been the best overall.
“I’d say, if I had to pick the best one right now so far through 12-13 days of camp, Karsen Barnhart is having the best camp so far,” Harbaugh said. “But here we are halfway through.”
Of course, LaDarius Henderson has been penciled into that position, after transferring from Arizona State. Harbaugh notes that with both tackle positions, they’re too close to call in fall camp and the competition will likely go into the season.
A linebacker who had been buried on the depth chart
A four-star recruit from talent-rich Florida and high school powerhouse Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas, Jaydon Hood was starting to become an afterthought, quite similar to his former high school teammate at the same position, Anthony Solomon.
Solomon ended up transferring to Arizona, and with first-year linebacker Jimmy Rolder having appeared to surpassed him on the depth chart, the now-college junior in Hood was in danger of not seeing the field at all.
But, as Harbaugh spoke about the defensive front seven on Tuesday, he sang Hood’s praises, noting that he’s made arguably the biggest jump from last year to this year.
“The guy who I’d say who’s asserted himself the most is Jaydon Hood,” Harbaugh said. “As far as where he was last year to where he is now, he is really getting right there in the mix. Special teams and defensively.”
Whether or not that equates to playing time is another story. Rolder still exists, and then there’s the anticipated trio of Junior Colson, Ernest Hausmann, and Michael Barrett. But if Hood comes on strong, that really bolsters a linebacking corps that’s been steadily rising.
