Five West Michiganders Will Play For National Title Against Washington

The great thing about having a strong program, like the Michigan Wolverines, is that you get recruits to play from all over the country. The Wolverines have representatives from practically every corner of the country, including one player from Hawaii, even.

But of course, there's some hometown pride with our fellow Michiganders on the team, and West Michigan in particular has a strong representation, as five players from the west side of the state will help the team vy for a National Championship against Washington.

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On a roster of 143 players, FIVE of them "Hail" from the west side of the state, including one from Battle Creek, and one from the Kalamazoo area.

#54 Joel Metzger - Battle Creek

Metzger is a junior this year at Michigan, and wen to Lakeview High School. Playing linebacker for the Wolverines. This season, he hasn't seen a ton of playing time, but has remained healthy. But while he's been at Michigan, he was named two-time All-Big Ten honoree in his Sophomore season, and the team's Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year in 2022. Metzger made his collegiate debut against UNLV in September of last season.

#27 Christian Bartholomew - Galesburg

Bartholomew is a senior at Michigan from Galesburg, and played his high school ball as a wide receiver for Kalamazoo United. In his time at Michigan, he's been a two-year Letterman (2021-22), and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten Honorree. Bartholomew also hasn't seen a ton of playing time, but appeared in a game his Junior year to earn his second varsity letter, and played against UConn in September of that same year. Christian made his UofM debut playing in the slot against Northern Illinois his sophomore year in September.

#52 Karsen Barnhart - Paw Paw

Offensive Lineman Karsen Barnhart has been representing his home town of Paw Paw well his entire time at Michigan. He's now a grad student, but he's been part of a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line (2022), and a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He's a four-year letterman, appeared in 41 games with 29 starts all across the offensive line. In his final season, he was an All-Big Ten selection, shared Offensive Player of the Week with his performance at Michigan State, and made his first career start at right guard against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship this year.

#61 Noah Stewart - Muskegon

Stewart went to North Muskegon High School, and in his senior year at Michigan, has a lot to be proud of. He's a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honorree, and two-time letterman. This season, he was named Scout Team Offensive Player of the week while preparing the team for Purdue, he played on special teams against ECU on Sept. 2nd, and took snaps at Right Tackle against Indiana.

#41 Bryson Kuzdzal - Ada

Just outside of Grand Rapids, is Ada, Michigan, where Bryson is from. The Running Back was impressive at Forest Hills Eastern High School, and just enrolled at Michigan this year to be a freshman. He is in the school of Kinesiology, majoring in Applied Exercise Science.