The Wolverine

March 2018

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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MARCH 2018 THE WOLVERINE 41 Anders explained that Barrett's versatility should allow him to have success at multiple positions in col- lege, including the ones Harbaugh mentioned. "He could play anywhere," An- ders said. "It just comes down to the coaching staff and what their needs are. He's big, fast, strong and loves the game — you can tell by the way he plays. He's the type of kid who would jump at the chance to play outside linebacker, for ex- ample, if they told him they needed him there. "I've always thought he'd be fan- tastic on defense, but at the same time I could see him being an H- type back or slot receiver in college, or even a quarterback depending on what they ask him to do. "I don't think he's a pro-style guy who is going to sit in the pocket and throw the ball 40 times a game — he's the type of player who needs to get the ball in space and make things happen." Michigan's offense is in desperate need of playmakers, after it finished the 2017 season averaging just 348.9 yards per game, which ranked 105th in the country. The Wolverines' offense also failed to create big plays on a consistent basis — in fact, it only racked up 165 plays of 10 yards or more this past year, which was 85th nationally. Barrett hopes to change that — im- mediately. "I always set my goals high — I want to get on the Heisman bal- lot early in my career," the 6-0, 215-pounder said. "I also want to be a freshman All-American and have a season that ends with a national championship. "As for my long-term goals, I want to be a first-round NFL Draft pick once I leave here. The plan is to build a legacy in Ann Arbor." ❏ DID YOU KNOW? • Born Dec. 21, 1999. • Helped lead Lowndes to an 11-1 record and the Region 1-7A championship in 2017. Played quarterback and led an offense that set a school record for points in a season with 627, including nine games of 50 or more. • Completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,705 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior, while connecting on 61 percent of his throws for 2,753 yards and 27 scores as a junior. • Recorded 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, two passes broken up and two fumble recoveries on defense as a sophomore. • Several current NFL players attended Lowndes, including Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith, Washington Redskins linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons, Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Jay Ratliff and Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore. • At Nike's The Opening camp in Atlanta on March 26, 2017, he ran a 4.67 40-yard dash and a 4.56 shuttle run. He also recorded a vertical jump of 34.4 inches and finished the event with an overall Nike+ Football rating of 94.47. THEY SAID IT • U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh: "He was a quarterback in high school. I project him as a guy who we can make a receiver out of, similar to [former NFL receiver] Anquan Boldin when Anquan was a high school quarterback. "We can also put Michael in the backfield as a running back or quarterback, so we're extremely excited about him. He's a guy who is well trained and comes from a winning program." • Snellville (Ga.) Shiloh head coach Ryan Andrews: "He's very dangerous with the ball in his hands. The creases he seems to find on the field are unbe- lievable. His vision as a runner is un- matched — Michigan is getting a spe- cial one in this kid, that's for sure." • Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes quarter- back coach Jim Henry: "Number one, he's a winner, so he's going to bring that type of mental- ity, work ethic and attitude with him every day. Not only does he do that on the football field, but in the classroom and community as well." MARCH 2018 THE WOLVERINE 41 Barrett "I'm one of those players who defenses have to ac- count for every time they're on the field. I like to consider myself a game changer — someone who can change the momentum of a game in the blink of an eye." Barrett has the versatility to play wildcat quarterback, slot receiver, running back and more for the Wolverines. PHOTO BY CHAD SIMMONS/ COURTESY RIVALS.COM

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