Why Ernest Hausmann left Nebraska for Michigan football

Although the totals didn’t add up – especially considering the Firestorm in Boulder Colorado hiring Deion Sanders – Michigan football had the best early returns on the transfer portal.

The first Domino to fall was the former Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who is entering his second year of college football, but is considered the top running back available on the transfer portal. He joins a group without friction, with Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, Jimmy Rolder, Kalel Mullings and even Nikhai Hill-Green returning.

As for how he got to Michigan, Hausmann told Jon Jansen on the In The Trenches podcast that Scott Frost was fired and Mickey Joseph was let go for Matt Rhule, so it seemed like the perfect time for a change of scenery.

“At the end of the day, it came down to a decision that I want to go to a place where I can maximize my potential,” Hausmann said. “So when the coaching change happened, the first time and obviously we’re in the season. So my focus never wavered from my mission, which is to focus 100% (on playing) for my team and the task at hand. But when the season ended, the season came, I had a chance to assess my situation, where I was, and the final decision was that I wanted to go to a place that could maximize my potential, I had to analyze all the factors that came into play and I finally decided to go to the transfer portal.

But what sold him on Michigan football? Was it Jim Harbaugh? Two straight Big Ten championships or a College Football Playoff appearance? Jesse Minter’s defense?

Hausmann says he was most impressed with the Wolverines’ secret weapon: strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. But he also said he’s excited about the added bonus of working with Chris Partridge, who was hired back into the program last month.

“So my first meeting with coach Herbert, when I came here to visit, I immediately connected with him and just the way he went about his business,” Hausmann said. “And it was just a different level that I’ve ever seen from anybody else. And I knew right away that this is someone I wanted to be around and continue to work with throughout my career because I know the importance of strength and conditioning (and how it happens) in football and how it shows on the field. And I knew right away that this was something I wanted on my side and in my corner. And working with him and the guys on this field has been phenomenal with winter conditioning and strength training.

“And then, so going into the spring, now with the coaching staff, Coach Partridge – he’s been great to work with. He was recruiting me when he was at Ole Miss, defensive coordinator on the portal, which is what I was looking for. I was able to talk to him through the portal, and now it’s been great meeting him again. And then just being able to learn from him and everything he has to offer, it’s going to be a fun time.”

It will be different for Hausmann to walk down the Lloyd Carr tunnel in a home kit, considering he was away late in the season a year ago. He already has fond memories despite the loss and is excited to experience The Big House with over 110,000 fans cheering him on.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a surreal moment, honestly, the first time I walk in there,” Hausmann “It’s going to be a lot of flashbacks. When I look back on it, I remember the exact path that I took when I walked down that tunnel. (I’m doing it on) corn and blue, it’s just going to be an amazing time. Can’t wait!”