CHARLOTTE, N. C. -- Michael Barrett was frustrated. The Michigan linebacker was fished out after almost three days and six-and-a-half rounds of silence during the NFL draft from a lake house his family rented in South Georgia. He was resolved to being an unrestricted free agent, already having discussed by phone a reunion with college coach Jim Harbaugh who, after the Wolverines won the national championship, left to turn around the Los Angeles Chargers.
But before Barrett made peace with the idea that no NFL team thought enough of his resume to overlook his 6-foot, 239-pound size and draft him, he stepped into the front yard, away from family and friends.