Michael Barrett (American football)

Michael Barrett (born December 21, 1999) is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023. Barrett was twice named All-Big Ten. He was selected by the Panthers in the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life and high school
Barrett was born in Valdosta, Georgia where he attended high school at Lowndes. In Barrett's senior season, he was named Georgia’s Class 7A Player of the Year.

As a junior, Barrett went 132-of-213 passing for 2,753 yards and 27 touchdowns; adding 1,283 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the ground. In Barrett's senior season, he completed 110 of his 156 passes for 1,705 yards and 16 touchdowns, with two interceptions, while also adding 1,195 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.

Barrett committed to play college football at the University of Michigan; over schools such as Georgia Tech, LSU, Nebraska, and Michigan State.

College career
In 2018 Barrett enrolled at the University of Michigan. In his first season, he appeared in two games, recording no statistics. In 2019, he played mostly on special teams, playing in 11 games tallying 7 tackles.

In the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Barrett started all 6 games, recording 44 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble, also taking a kickoff back 66 yards. Barrett’s first career sack came in his first career start on October 24, 2020, versus Minnesota.

In the 2021 season, Barrett started one game, recording 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, a sack and a pass deflection.

On October 8, 2022, Barrett totaled 7 tackles and a crucial sack, as he helped Michigan survive and defeat the Indiana Hoosiers. On November 5, 2022, Barrett recorded his first career interception, picking off two passes, and returning one for a touchdown, in a win over Rutgers.

Barrett finished his breakout 2022 season starting 14 games, with 72 tackles, five tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 3 pass deflections. Barrett was named Third-team All-Big Ten.

Barrett returned to the Wolverines for the 2023 season, his final season of eligibility. Barrett opened the season as one of Michigan's six team captains. Barrett won a national championship with Michigan in 2023, and earned a third-team All-Big Ten selection, making him a two-time All-Big Ten selection. Barrett started all 15 games, finishing his final season with 65 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

Barrett finished his University of Michigan career as the all-time winningest player in team history, ending with a career record of 61-14 in his six seasons, 2018 to 2023.

Professional career
Barrett was selected in the seventh round, 240th overall, by the Carolina Panthers in the 2024 NFL draft.