Michigan football head coach gives high praise to linebacker room

This season, the Michigan football defense has been nothing short of dominant. Through seven games, the Wolverines leads the nation in scoring defense by only averaging 6.71 points allowed per game. Recently, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to praise the team’s linebacker room, which plays an important role in this elite defense.

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh praises linebacker room

This season marks the first year back for Michigan linebacker coach Chris Partridge, who had previously worked with the Wolverines as a linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. Despite a short stint at Ole Miss from 2020-2022, Partridge is back and already making a noticeable impact on the Michigan football linebacker room.

Here’s what Jim Harbaugh had to say about how the linebackers are progressing.

“Man, what can I tell you about Mike Barrett? It’s outstanding. You know, his level play is lights out. He was a guardian of victory in this past game, and game ball (recipient). But the overall play has just been outstanding. Junior Colson as well. Junior — six tackles in this game. His level of just consistently good has been tremendous. Chris (Partridge) has had a huge impact on our linebacker group. And he’s a great coach and he has a huge impact on special teams as well. Great coaching, good guy.”

Harbaugh concluded with an update on sophomore linebacker Jimmy Rolder, who has seen minimal playtime so far this year despite playing last year. “Jimmy — he did not redshirt last year. And so we have a year that we’re really attempting and pulling off, really to play Jimmy in the four games and get that year back for Jimmy. So, a redshirt doesn’t have to be just in the freshman year.”

The Michigan football defense is once again looking to dominate this weekend when the Wolverines take on the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing for a 7:30 EST kickoff.

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