Univ. of Michigan & Paw Paw Native Karsen Barnhart Signed To Los Angeles Chargers

Earlier this year during the University of Michigan‘s National Championship run, we highlighted how the offensive lineman Carson Barnhart is a native of the West Michigan town Paw Paw and we were excited as West Michigananders to watch him and his team win the national championship and bring more accolades to his already successful career.

Over the weekend we watched as hundreds of college football players were drafted to the NFL, hoping to make it to the big leagues. Detroit broke the record for the most people to ever come out to an NFL draft, showing just how much the city's passion is for the NFL and the Detroit Lions. But it’s common knowledge that no matter where you grew up, you never know where you’re going to end up.

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Barnhart must have made a strong connection with former U of M coach Jim Harbaugh, because Jim just signed Barnhart to the Los Angeles Chargers, where Jim Harbaugh is now head coach.

This adds a certain amount of an advantage, considering the two have worked together for quite a while now. As on3.com described, the report coming from Adam Schefter at ESPN highlights Barnard’s hard work ethic

Barnhart showed his versatility in his five years at Michigan, playing several different positions on the line. He played mostly at right tackle, and while most believe he’s a guard at the next level, he more than held his own. He appeared in 41 games with 29 starts across the offensive line in his career — the only position on the line he hasn’t played is center — and he started nine games at left tackle, two at left guard, one at right guard and 17 at right tackle.

It will be exciting to watch his career grow as a professional and see if he can bring the Lombardi Trophy to Paw Paw...after the Lions do, of course.