For two years, Michigan senior Jaishawn Barham lined up at linebacker. Against Central Michigan, he took on a new assignment. In Michigan’s 63-3 victory, the 6-foot-3, 243-pound defender lined up exclusively at EDGE and delivered a standout performance, finishing with 6 tackles and 2 sacks.
Defensive line coach Lou Esposito explained the reasoning on the “Inside Michigan Football” radio show.
“The biggest thing is [Michigan defensive coordinator] Wink [Martindale] putting guys in situations to be successful,” Esposito said. “Him being on the edge is a mismatch. There are certain things that he does athletically and with his God-given ability that it comes natural to him — how he bends, how he rushes, the way he plays with violence, the way he physically sets the edge.”
Barham’s role opened opportunities for others as well. Backup linebackers Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan gained additional snaps, while Michigan rotated looks on the line.
Interim head coach Biff Poggi emphasized Barham’s disruptive impact.
“He’s an incredibly disruptive player, and athletically he’s very unique because he’s big but he can really run, and he is twitched up,” Poggi said. “Wink views him — and others — as so disruptive that you’ve got to account for him, so find him. We’re going to move him around — find him. Find him before you snap the ball.”
The Wolverines’ edge group has underperformed early in 2025. Derrick Moore has just five pressures after posting 37 last season, while veteran TJ Guy was benched last week. Poggi believes Barham changes the math.
“Now, you’ve got to slide the protection to Jaishawn, but you’ve got No. 8 [Moore], what are you going to do? Block him one-on-one?”
Esposito added that Michigan will continue preparing Barham for both EDGE and linebacker, with packages designed to keep him playing fast.