Position: Linebacker
Ht/Wt/40: 6'3" / 212 lbs. / 4.67
Location: Andrean High School – Merrillville, IN
Offers: Illinois, Michigan, Purdue
Ranking: ★★★★ .8900 (247 Composite)
FILM

At the end of January I spoke with 2015 LB Josh Barajas after I had learned that Coach Mallory stopped by his high school. Barajas was impressed with Mallory, called Michigan a top program in the country, and felt honored that one of the coaches took the time to see him. At that time their contact was limited and the main purpose of the visit seemed to be to invite Barajas to the junior day event planned for February 23. An offer didn’t seem imminent and Barajas told me that they never even said the word "offer during their initial contact. Eight days later and Barajas held an offer from the Wolverines.

Barajas was beyond excited to learn that he had earned a scholarship offer from Michigan.

Today after school my high school coach told me to give Coach Mallory a call. I called him and he immediately gave me the good news! I was in shock. I didn’t expect it to come, especially this early. I am super excited. It’s a big step in my recruiting and I’m just trying to soak it all in. Coach Mallory and I get into a ton of specifics but right now he said they’ve offered me at linebacker.

Barajas also spoke about how he likes Michigan for reasons besides football.

I know Michigan is a huge program and just as big, if not bigger, academically. I know the atmosphere is absolutely awesome. I see Michigan fans everywhere. Obviously the most winningest program in the nation will have that.

"Most winningest"! Barajas doesn’t have any formal connections to the university but he does have a Michigan advocate in his ear.

My school's baseball coach is a HUGE Michigan fan so I hear from him daily. I haven’t ever been there but I plan to for the junior day at the end of February.

With just three offers in his pocket Barajas expects his recruitment to pick up considerably and that means patience will be important as he starts to narrow his list and ultimately closes in on a decision.

It’s a big decision so I think I’m going to wait a while before committing of course. I want to get a taste and a feel for a lot of colleges to make sure I really like the one I choose. I definitely think that Michigan will be in the mix throughout though.

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The process is in the early stages for Barajas and with Michigan being early to offer and being his biggest to date, I think the Wolverines will be in it for his services. I learned that Josh is very close friends with Enoch Smith Jr., a 2013 Spartan commit, and that Barajas is also quite high on Sparty, so if they decide to throw their hat into the ring, they could become the team to beat.