Jaishawn Barham might follow in Josh Wallace’s footsteps as the next key transfer for Michigan.
The Michigan Wolverines added Josh Wallace to their roster just before their national championship season. Many of the team’s transfers made an immediate impact, and it seems this year will be similar.
Recently, the team has focused on bolstering the secondary with more transfers, adding much-needed depth. Earlier, Michigan brought in former Maryland Terrapin Jaishawn Barham to enhance the linebacker position with his experience.
Barham is highly rated by Pro Football Focus (PFF), ranking as the top linebacker in the transfer portal.
New Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham over the past two seasons:
– 76.7 PFF Grade
– 52 Defensive Stops
– 38 QB Pressures
– 18% Win Rate
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 20, 2024
When Wallace transferred from UMass last year, he became a crucial defensive player, contributing significantly to Michigan’s championship run. PFF notes he played 367 snaps without allowing a single touchdown, finishing the year with 33 tackles and two fumble recoveries, including a key one in the Rose Bowl’s fourth quarter.
Wallace quickly adapted, feeling like a long-time player in Ann Arbor. The same is expected for Barham in the upcoming season.
Barham had 37 tackles and one interception last year with Maryland, ironically intercepting a pass from J.J. McCarthy. Now, wearing the No. 1 jersey and a winged helmet, Barham joins Michigan to make a significant impact.
Barham’s addition will likely aid new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who favors linebacker involvement in quarterback pressure. Barham excels in this area, having pressured quarterbacks 21 times last season with 3 sacks, 3 hits, and 15 hurries, indicating potential success in Martindale’s defense.
Similar to Wallace, Barham benefits from the talented teammates around him. Wallace contributed to a secondary featuring Mike Sainristil and Will Johnson, and Barham will play alongside Ernest Hausmann, who is also expected to have a standout season. This supportive environment will help Barham mitigate mistakes.
Barham is set to fill the gap left by Junior Colson and Michael Barrett, who moved to the NFL. By the end of his tenure at Michigan, Barham’s time at Maryland will be a distant memory.
