Rolder led Michigan with 73 tackles this past season, which included seven for loss, two sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Jimmy Rolder, Michigan football's standout linebacker, has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rolder spent his first three seasons in Ann Arbor as a backup before becoming a key cog of the U-M defense in 2025 and now will not return to Michigan for the 2026 season.
He posted on social media on Sunday, Jan. 11, that he has "made the decision to take the next step in my journey and declare for the NFL draft."
Although Rolder played four years in Ann Arbor, he had one more year of eligibility that he will now forgo. He made just six appearances in 2023, with two of those games being in the postseason and not counting toward the redshirt.
"To the University of Michigan – thank you for four unforgettable years," Rolder's post read in part. "Wearing the winged helmet, representing this program and being part of something bigger than myself has been an honor I'll carry forever. The ups and downs, the lessons, the brotherhood – I'm grateful for it all."
Rolder led Michigan with 73 tackles this past season, which included seven for loss, two sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 27) after he had nine tackles in a win over Michigan State. He played in 41 games across his career with 10 starts, racking up 118 tackles, nine for loss and two sacks, much of which came this past season.
Michigan's linebacker corps, which was one of its strengths a season ago, has been completely thinned out. Former captain and starter Ernest Hausmann medically retired from football earlier this offseason after he didn't appear in the final three games of the season for the Wolverines.
Cole Sullivan, who looked to be a surefire starter going into next year, opted to enter the transfer portal and has since signed with Oklahoma. Jaishawn Barham, who began the year at linebacker before moving to edge primarily, like Rolder, has declared for the NFL draft.
That leaves U-M's two freshmen, Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng and Chase Taylor, as the most experienced players in the room that's now led by Alex Whittingham, son of new coach Kyle Whittingham. Michigan has already tried to address this in the portal, but lost out on Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles to Texas
Michigan is still active in the market and is reportedly a favorite to land Call's All-ACC linebacker Cade Uluave. It will certainly need to replenish its linebacker room as none the four players who began the 2025 season as the two deep will be there in 2026.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football standout LB Jimmy Rolder declares for NFL draft
Category: General Sports
