Tag: Ernest Hausmann

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While fans of college programs tend to look at transfers in terms of additions and losses, there’s a human element that often doesn’t get thought of.

Though we tend to get a glimpse of what a player is capable of — and this is also true of the high school level when coming to college — there’s also the element where said player has to do things such as acclimate to campus, to school, to his teammates as well as to the playbook itself.

Ernest Hausmann was a star in just his first year of playing at the college level, earning a starting role at Nebraska, despite his youth. He did all of the above, but decided this offseason to blow it all up in favor of a fresh beginning in Ann Arbor. Two days after he arrived on campus, classes started, so he had to hit the ground running. While he had time to acclimate to the playbook and his teammates, the playbook portion, he feels, has been the biggest challenge in coming to Michigan from Lincoln.

“One of the biggest adjustments, honestly, is just learning another defense,” Hausmann said. “That’s one of the things that I knew entering into the transfer portal is that now what you have to do is pick up another defense. So learning a defense is a language, right? Being able to be on the same page on the language will get you on the field.

“So that was probably the biggest thing that I had to pick up on, just learning a different language.”

The teammates portion isn’t all just about building camaraderie and rapport, however. For Hausmann, it means getting that playbook down well enough that he can showcase his skills enough so that when the team needs a reliable force in the middle of the defense, it’s his number that’s called and not someone else’s.

Yet, Hausmann knew that would be a challenge, and embraces that it will make him better in the process. The Wolverines have several players who he could either be in front of or behind along the defense, from former starters such as Junior Colson, Nikhai Hill-Green and Michael Barrett, to up-and-comers such as Jimmy Rolder or Jaydon Hood.

However, after his first spring, in the spring game two weeks ago, Hausmann put on a show, leading all defensive players with eight tackles — perhaps a sign of his talent, his understanding of the playbook, how competition has made him better or all of the above.

“I love competition. I knew that coming into here at Michigan, that that was gonna be the case,” Hausmann said. “It’s one of the things that you just strive to be better for. And, when you go through that process of competition and the depth chart and those things, for me, I just thought to myself, you can’t control who’s gonna be placed one, two, three, but you can control what I’m gonna be able to do each and every day. So I’ve got to take great pride in what I do each day, my habits each day.”

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While the overall numbers didn’t hold — especially considering the firestorm in Boulder with Colorado hiring Deion Sanders — Michigan football had the best early returns in the transfer portal.

The first domino to fall was that of former Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann. He is entering his second year in college football, but was thought to be the best linebacker available in the transfer portal. He joins a group with no attrition. Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, Jimmy Rolder, Kalel Mullings and even Nikhai Hill-Green return.

As far as how he got to Michigan, Hausmann told Jon Jansen on the In The Trenches podcast that with Scott Frost being fired and Mickey Joseph being let go for Matt Rhule, it appeared the perfect time for a change of scenery.

“Ultimately, it came down to the decision of I want to go to a place where I could maximize my potential,” Hausmann said. “So when the coaching change happened, occurred the first time and obviously, we’re in the season. So, my focus never faltered from what my mission was, that’s be 100% focused on (playing for) my team and the task at hand. But when the season ended, the season came to be, I had a chance to evaluate my situation, where I was at, and the ultimate decision of I want to go a place that could maximize my potential. I had to analyze all the factors that came into play, and then ultimately led me the decision to enter the transfer portal.”

But what sold him on Michigan football? Was it Jim Harbaugh? The two-straight Big Ten Championships or College Football Playoff appearances? Jesse Minter’s defense?

Hausmann said that above all he was most impressed with the Wolverines’ secret weapon: strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. But he also said he’s ecstatic about the added bonus of getting to work with Chris Partridge, who was hired back into the program last month.

“So in my first meeting I had with coach Herbert, when I came down here to visit, I just immediately — I just connected with him, and just the way that he conducted his business,” Hausmann said. “And it was just a different level that I’ve ever seen from someone else. And I immediately knew that this was someone I wanted to be by my side and to work with continuing throughout my career, because I know the importance of strength and conditioning (and how that goes) into football, and how that translates to the field. And I knew right away that this was something I wanted on my side, and in my corner. And to be able to work with him and the guys on that field has been phenomenal with winter conditioning, and strength training.

“And then, so going into going into spring, now with the coaching staff, coach Partridge — he’s been great to work with. I was getting recruited by him when he was at Ole Miss, as a defensive coordinator in the portal as well as I was looking. I was able to talk to him through the portal, and then now be able to reunite with him has been awesome. And then just be able to learn from him and all the things that he has offer, it’s gonna be fun time.”

For Hausmann, it’s going to be different walking down the Lloyd Carr Tunnel wearing a home uniform, considering he was a visitor late in the season a year ago. He already has fond memories, despite the loss, and he’s excited to experience The Big House with 110,000-plus fans rooting for him.

“Yeah, it’s gonna be a surreal moment honestly, the first time walking down there,” Hausmann “It’s gonna be a lot of flashbacks. Looking back to it, I can remember exactly the path I took walking down that tunnel. (Doing it wearing) the maize and blue, it’s gonna be just an awesome moment. Can’t wait!”

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