Michael Barrett (image via Valdosta Daily Times)
Name: Michael Barrett
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Valdosta (GA) Lowndes
Position: Running back/Slot receiver/Offensive weapon
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Barrett was a senior in high school (LINK). He completed 111/174 passes (63.8%) for 1,705 yards, 16 TDs, and 2 INTs; he also ran for 1,195 yards and 13 TDs.
TTB Rating: 82
Barrett was the subject of much consternation for Michigan fans, for one reason or another. One reason was that he was not highly rated (3-star, #61 ATH, #753 overall). Another was that some teams were recruiting him as an option quarterback. You can see from his stats above that he wasn’t a bad QB in high school. Barrett didn’t end up committing to Michigan until late in January, and he was a nice consolation prize from the state of Georgia once the dust settled from Otis Reese’s flipping to Georgia.
I don’t know what to think of Barrett, exactly. He’s a wild card. Michigan reportedly plans to start him out at slot receiver, but you don’t often see 6’0″, 215 lb. slot receivers. I wouldn’t mind if the staff got creative (for them) and used him on bubble screens to get him going downhill against smaller defensive backs, but this coaching staff hasn’t used a ton of bubble screens during its tenure. Maybe the presence of Patterson with his running capability will open up some more zone read/bubble opportunities. There’s also the chance that Barrett could be used as a “wildcat” quarterback, but that’s not as much of a change-up with Patterson under center than it would be if, say, Brandon Peters or Dylan McCaffrey is the starting QB. I like Barrett as a player, but it’s unclear right now where he’ll play.
Prediction: Backup slot receiver
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I like Barrett as a guy that is a chess piece, can motion out of the backfield into the slot or take the occasional snap. I don’t see him getting much PT this year, but down the road I think his versatility will be very valuable.
Barrett’s junior tape demonstrates more of his running ability than his senior tape.
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I would not be shocked if he wound up at Viper. I think they have some good RB’s in the ’17 and ’18 classes, so winning a spot there would be tough. Guess I could see him at slot, especially if the lone WR they took in the ’18 cycle struggles.
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…Meant ’18 and ’19 RB classes.
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I would prefer to see him stick on offense, because that way he can learn the playbook and (IMO) be more effective as a slot/RB/wildcat QB. I’m not a huge fan of putting defensive guys at Wildcat QB like Peppers, because there’s only so much understanding of the offense they can have in their limited time. I mean, Peppers was fine because he was such an elite athlete, but not many people (including Barrett) are explosive enough to get that done.
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He looks like an RB to me. I don’t think I saw a catch on his film, so I don’t know how one would pencil him in as a slot. I can see him at Viper, although that wouldn’t have entered my mind had not Painter Smurf not brought it up.
He’s nota terrible QB, I could see the guy at Navy getting real excited about him had Barrett been inclined toward that kind of life. Actually, I think I’d rather see Barrett throwing it to Milton than vice versa. Barrett is more accurate, way better touch.
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had not Painter Smurf brought it up.
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