Path of Ernest Hausmann to Michigan and Prospects for 2024
The tenacity and leadership that Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, the starting linebackers in 2023, offered to the position in previous seasons is difficult to replicate. But Ernest Hausmann is the one who can step up and take the next step to become a cog in the Michigan Wolverines defense.
The story so far
In 2023, winning the National Championship required a team effort, and the Wolverines’ offseason acquisitions played a significant role in that. Hausmann left the Nebraska Cornhuskers to join players like Josh Wallace, LaDarius Henderson, and Drake Nugent at Michigan.
Hausman, who was rated as the No. 65 linebacker in the country and was a three-star recruit in the 2022 class, followed up his 80 tackles and two sacks from his high school senior year with 54 tackles (36 solo) and one sack in seven starts as a rookie at Nebraska.
Then, in 2023, he moved to Michigan. Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator, was immediately impressed by Hausmann, and he established himself in the defensive rotation.
Hausmann performed admirably as the Wolverines’ third linebacker as the season started. Despite not having a single start, he played in all 15 games and had 46 tackles, which placed him third on the squad. In the season, he didn’t commit a penalty, played 338 snaps (16th on Michigan’s defense), missed only three tackles, and gave up 6.23 yards per target.
Among the 360 linebackers who saw at least 300 snaps in the previous season, Hausmann’s tackling grade from Pro Football Focus placed him 16th.
Outlook moving forward
Barrett and Colson were selected by the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Chargers, respectively, and Michigan acquired former Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham to their roster via the transfer portal. Hausmann’s perspective appears to be a little different this season as a result of these adjustments.
Hausmann is undoubtedly a talented player. Additionally, there’s a good chance that he and Barham will line up at the beginning of the season against Fresno State. Still to be determined is whether he can adjust to his third defensive scheme in three seasons and whether he and Barham can replace Barrett and Colson, who were so effective the previous season.
In March, Hausmann stated, “The communication side of things is the biggest difference with a new defense.” “When you
