Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about MICHAEL BARRETT:
Michigan | HT: 5113 | WT: 233 | 40 time: 4.63 | Arm: 3218 | Hand: 0812 | Wing: 7800
Three year starter, two at linebacker and one as the viper or big nickel. Played six seasons at Michigan with one redshirt and a Covid year. Third-team All-Big 10 in 2023. Athletic prospect with notable functional speed. Spent a year as an overhang player in 2020 before moving inside the next year. Has also been an outstanding special team player. He’s a sideline to sideline chase linebacker at his best in pursuit from the backside. Flashes ability to work through the trash scraping off-tackle. Excellent tackling fundamentals as he drives through tackles and finishes. Consistently makes plays in space. Quality blitz skill as he can time up the snap and find a crease or blitz from outside. Has a closing burst in the backfield. At his best as a zone defender with deep drops and awareness of pattern pressure with multiple routes. Has vision to read the quarterback’s intention. Looks for work and doesn’t cover grass as he’s consistent to find throwing lanes. Sudden agility gets him in position to make plays with the ball in the air. Has a closing burst reacting on the throw. His positioning often leads quarterbacks to look elsewhere. Has shown solid mirror skill in limited man coverage. As a run defender, his shorter than ideal arms are noticeable when taking on blocks. He is too easily locked up and is often bounced out of the hole by inside linemen. He’s just average in key diagnosis and some hesitation shows reacting. While he has ran, he’s too easily blocked by second level blockers inhibiting his ability to get outside. His coverage and special team skill could earn him a spot as a sub package nickel linebacker and special team ace.
2023 Stats: 65 T, 3.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 PBU, 5 QBH, 3 FF. Draft projection: 5th-7th round