Linebacker Troy Bowles’ role in 2025 was unclear upon his transfer to Michigan this past offseason, as playing time couldn’t have been promised. Michigan returned both Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham,
with Jimmy Rolder and Cole Sullivan providing quality depth.
However, Bowles and a pair of true freshmen will be relied upon heavily moving forward. Barham has moved to the edge, while Sullivan and Rolder are both working through some things, with the latter being a bit of a surprise considering he played the entire game at Michigan State last weekend.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday evening, Bowles stressed that the healthy linebackers are ready to go and step up for their injured teammates.
“I feel like our best football is ahead of us and we know that,” Bowles said. “So as the weeks go on, I feel like we’re playing a lot better.”
Bowles won’t be the only linebacker to play more this Saturday against Purdue, as freshmen Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor are also expected to step into bigger roles on defense.
“I see (the freshmen) taking reps more seriously, taking meetings more seriously,” Bowles said. “Obviously seeing Jimmy and Cole go down, it’s a real possibility that you could play, so you better get all your stuff (in line). They’ve been doing that these past couple weeks.”
Sullivan left the game against Michigan State with an undisclosed injury and seems unlikely to play this weekend. Rolder played the entire game and hasn’t been mentioned by the coaching staff among those that are injured, but he is clearly working through something after Bowles let that information slip.
But position coach Brian Jean-Mary has the depth players ready to roll thanks to the intense level of preparation from veterans like Ernest Hausmann.
“The way they prepare is not something I’ve seen before, so I’m just taking notes, taking up after that in that regard,” Bowles said.
It’s a bit surprising to hear Bowles say that, as he spent two years at Georgia and is also the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles. However, that speaks to the work that players are putting in and the caliber of the veteran leadership in the locker room.
The depth of the linebacker room will surely be tested this weekend against Purdue and potentially longer. Fortunately for Wink Martindale and company, this position is arguably the deepest position group on the roster. Expect Hausmann, Bowles, Taylor and others to step up in the interim while Rolder and Sullivan recover.
