Karsen Barnhart

Karsen Barnhart
refer to caption
Barnhart hoists the CFP trophy in January 2024.
No. 61 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (2001-03-02) March 2, 2001 (age 23)
Paw Paw, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:316 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Paw Paw (Paw Paw, Michigan)
College:Michigan (2019–2023)
Undrafted:2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Karsen Barnhart (born March 2, 2001) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was an All-Big Ten selection, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023.

Early life

Barnhart was born in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of Jeff and Jennifer Barnhart, where he attended Paw Paw High School, playing baseball, basketball and football.[1] He played his junior season at Paw Paw at tight end, after spending his first two years on the offensive line.[2] He caught 17 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns as junior and senior, as well as serving as an offensive lineman. He received All-State honors from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association, Associated Press and The Detroit News. He was ranked a four-star recruit, and the No. 15 guard and No. 7 player in Michigan by 247Sports.[3] He received offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and USC.[4][5]

College career

Barnhart with Michigan in 2023

Barnhart committed to the University of Michigan in April 2018.[6][7] As a freshman in 2019, he appeared in two games at left tackle, and played special teams in one game. He made his collegiate debut on August 31, 2019, in a game against Middle Tennessee.

As a sophomore in 2020, he appeared in all six games, with four starts at left tackle. He started in place of the injured Ryan Hayes, in a season that was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

As a junior in 2021, he appeared in 10 games, including two starts at left guard. He was a part of the Joe Moore Award winning offensive line.[9][3]

As a senior in 2022, he started appeared in ten games, with nine starts, at tackle and was again part of the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line.[10] Following the season he was named All-Big Ten honorable mention.[11] He was also named Michigan's most improved player on offense.[12]

As a graduate student in 2023, he started all 15 games for Michigan’s national championship team, including starts at right tackle, right guard and left tackle.[13] After offensive guard Zak Zinter sustained a broken tibia and fibula in Michigan's final regular season victory against Ohio State, it was announced Barnhart would shift from right tackle to guard for the remainder to the season.[14] Following the season he was named second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches.[15][16]

On January 6, 2024, Barnhart declared for the 2024 NFL draft.[17]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m) 		306 lb
(139 kg) 		33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m) 		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		 5.21 s 1.76 s 2.97 s 4.62 s 7.52 s 30.0 in
(0.76 m)		 9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)		 22 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[18][19]

On April 27, 2024, Barnhart signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, reuniting him with former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.[20][21][22] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[23][24]

References

  1. ^ McCabe, Mick (December 19, 2018). "Karsen Barnhart loved dirt bikes. Now he's signing with Michigan football". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  2. ^ McMann, Aaron (April 30, 2018). "Michigan football lands commitment from Paw Paw OL Karsen Barnhart". MLive.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Karsen Barnhart". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Nothaft, Patrick (December 20, 2018). "Karsen Barnhart joins U-M's 'Great Wall' offensive line signing class". MLive.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Baumgardner, Nick (July 5, 2019). "Michigan football's Karsen Barnhart is a unique OL prospect". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Baumgardner, Nick (April 30, 2018). "Michigan football: 3-star Paw Paw OL Karsen Barnhart commits for 2019". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  7. ^ Farrell, Perry A. (May 3, 2018). "Why Paw Paw junior OL Karsen Barnhart committed to Michigan football". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Sang, Orion (November 18, 2020). "Michigan football redshirt freshman Karsen Barnhart fills in at left tackle". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (December 21, 2021). "U-M Offensive Line Named Joe Moore Award Winner". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (December 17, 2022). "Offensive Line Makes History, Repeats as Joe Moore Award Winners". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  11. ^ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (November 30, 2022). "Corum, Oluwatimi, Zinter, Line Among All-Big Ten Offensive Honorees". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (December 18, 2022). "Corum Named MVP During Football Awards Show at Michigan Stadium". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  13. ^ Chengelis, Angelique (October 13, 2023). "'Selfless player' Barnhart shows versatility on Michigan's offensive line". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  14. ^ Pappalardo, Charlie (November 28, 2023). "Trente Jones, Karsen Barnhart embracing new roles in Zak Zinter's absence". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. ^ Ablauf, Dave; Shepard, Chad (November 29, 2023). "Corum, McCarthy, Zinter Among Six First-Team All-Big Ten Honorees on Offense". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  16. ^ Meyer, Craig (November 29, 2023). "Big Ten all-conference football team: Offensive selections for 2023 season". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  17. ^ McMann, Aaron (January 6, 2024). "Versatile Michigan offensive lineman plans to enter NFL draft". MLive.com. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Karsen Barnhart Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Karsen Barnhart College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Undrafted Free Agents". chargers.com. April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  21. ^ Zuke, Ryan (April 27, 2024). "Michigan OL reunites with Jim Harbaugh as UDFA". MLive.com. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  22. ^ "Bolts Sign Six Members of 2024 Draft Class, 21 Undrafted Free Agents". Chargers.com. May 10, 2024.
  23. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players". Chargers.com. August 27, 2024.
  24. ^ "Chargers Claim Hassan Haskins; Sign 15 Players to Practice Squad". Chargers.com. August 28, 2024.
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