Which Michigan football linebackers stand out the most to Jim Harbaugh?

This year’s Michigan football linebackers are looking good so far, according to all fall camp reports. Jim Harbaugh had a chance to break down several aspects of his defense this afternoon and had quite a bit to say about the Wolverines’ LB corps, identifying three star players and one breakout candidate midway through fall practices. Junior Colson, Ernest Hausmann, Mike Barrett, and Jaydon Hood are all players to watch on this season’s defense, which will be led by second-year defensive play-caller Jesse Minter.

Which Michigan football linebackers are turning heads during fall camp?

Junior Colson appears to be the top linebacker for Michigan football right now. However, further down the depth chart, there are a few others gunning for starting roles. Ernest Hausmann and Mike Barrett have also garnered a lot of praise during fall camp and are currently deadlocked in a position battle for a starting role next to Colson this season. Additionally, Jaydon Hood, who is less known at the moment, is also being mentioned frequently and has been touted as a defensive breakout candidate for the Maize and Blue thus far.

“(We’ve) been really good at the linebacker position,” Jim Harbaugh said of his Michigan football linebackers. “So, when I talk about the front seven, Junior Colson has been outstanding, Mike Barrett’s been outstanding, Ernest Hausmann has been really good. The guy who I would say has inserted himself the most is Jaydon Hood, as far as where he was last year to where he is now.  He is getting right there in the mix.”

Throughout the remainder of fall camp, and likely for a few games into the upcoming season, Michigan football linebackers Mike Barrett and Ernest Hausmann will continue to battle it out for the starting job. Junior Colson will be relied upon for veteran leadership throughout his junior season, and Jaydon Hood may also earn valuable snaps as the season progresses.

These are the four linebackers who have stood out the most during fall camp to this point — they are all names that Michigan football fans should become well acquainted with by the time the season begins in just 18 days.

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