Four Michigan football ‘risers’ Jim Harbaugh mentioned in fall camp press conference
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
Photo: Isaiah Hole
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
Photo: Isaiah Hole
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.
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Another rising offensive lineman
Photo: Isaiah Hole
Michigan has such an embarrassment of riches along the offensive line that as Jim Harbaugh has gone 10-12 deep on likely contributors, he’s afraid he may have to leave out one player who isn’t just coming along nicely, but who would be firmly in rotation if the group wasn’t rife with depth.
As Harbaugh ran down the names of those in contention for starting roles and the key backups (left tackles: Karsen Barnhart and LaDarius Henderson; left guards: Trevor Keegan and Gio El-Hadi; centers: Drake Nugent and Greg Crippen; right guards: Zak Zinter and Reece Atteberry; right tackles: Trente Jones and Myles Hinton), there was one player who he feels remiss for not including in that group.
“It kills me not to put Andrew Gentry in that category because he’s so good,” Harbaugh said. “We’re gonna have to play him at guard and tackle and find ways to get him on the field.”
That’s not even mentioning Jeff Persi, who started for the Wolverines at left tackle against Rutgers in 2022. Harbaugh mentioned him as well, but he spoke effusively about Gentry, the second-year player who was originally a four-star committed to Virginia.
A promising name at wide receiver
Photo: Isaiah Hole
At the time of his commitment, Michigan football fans were ecstatic about the potential of wideout Cristian Dixon.
A speedster from West Coast powerhouse Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei, Dixon’s commitment was overshadowed by Xavier Worthy, who signed but ended up transferring to Texas — much to Wolverine fans’ chagrin. Since, Dixon all but disappeared, with names like Darrius Clemons and Karmello English dominating the discourse as potential breakout candidates.
But on Tuesday, Harbaugh says that Dixon’s willingness has put him in a good position to be a contributor in 2023.
“The other guy’s Cristian Dixon,” Harbaugh said. “Also, in my mind is somebody that’s really asserting himself right now. And it’s his availability, and he is there every day, he’s playing through. He’s taken a couple of big hits, held on to the ball. But it’s that talent to be there every single day. Best ability is availability. He’s rising.”
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