HOUSTON — Wolverines offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart grew up in a small Michigan town called Paw Paw.
The city has a little over 3,000 people who call it home.
He said that's where he learned how to be gritty. Nothing is given in Paw Paw. Everything is earned.
You could say the same for the respect Barnhart has garnered on the Michigan offensive line. He earned everything he's been given.
The West Michigan native has played tackle and guard in college — on both sides of the offensive line.
The 6 foot 5 inch, 315 pound lineman was nicknamed "Mr. Versatile" by his offensive coordinator and position coach Sherrone Moore.
He takes pride in his Swiss army knife-like characteristics.
"I've grown into it to be easier," Barnhart said. "At first, it was not necessarily too easy, but, now, it has become second nature."
His versatility has shifted him on the offensive line once again. After All-American lineman Zak Zinter was injured in the Ohio State game, the Paw Paw native moved inside to right guard.
But it's not the constant moving that Barnhart can think about.
"Man it would mean everything to be a national champion," Barnhart said. "I can't wait."
Winning it all for the home state team would mean the world for the graduate student who is already living on cloud nine.
"It's awesome to grow up in the state of Michigan, go play in the state of Michigan for the University of Michigan, being a Michigan man and just getting an opportunity to do this," Barnhart said. "It's something I've dreamed of my whole life and it's a dream come true to get the opportunity to play in the national championship, and I'm so excited for it."
On Monday night against Washington, it will also be the last time Barnhart puts on the winged helmet as a member of the Wolverines. He will take his talents to the NFL Draft, so he hopes to go out on top.
"It really hasn't sunk in yet that this is my last game here, but I know I'm going to enjoy the hell out of it with my guys and go give everything I got," Barnhart said.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
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