Karsen Barnhart Bio
Karsen Barnhart (born March 2, 2001) is an American professional football guard. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was an All-Big Ten selection, winning three consecutive Big Ten Conference titles and a national championship in 2023. Barnhart entered the National Football League in 2024 when he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and competing at 143 pounds, Barnhart has lined up at multiple positions along the offensive line, including left tackle, right tackle, and both guard spots. He is recognized for his positional flexibility and has been part of practice squads with three NFL franchises since leaving Michigan.
Early Life and Background
Karsen Barnhart was born in Paw Paw, Michigan, to Jeff Barnhart and Jennifer Barnhart. He grew up in the same small community where he would later become a celebrated high school athlete. His family provided a steady foundation as he developed an early interest in multiple sports.
Barnhart attended Paw Paw High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He played his first two seasons on the offensive line before shifting to tight end for his junior year, a move that showcased his athletic range. Across his junior and senior seasons, he caught 17 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns while continuing to line up as an offensive lineman when needed.
His high school performance earned All-State recognition from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, and The Detroit News. He was rated a four-star recruit by 247Sports, which ranked him the No. 15 guard nationally and the No. 7 player in the state of Michigan. He received scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and USC before choosing to remain in his home state.
Path to American Football
Barnhart committed to the University of Michigan in April 2018, choosing the Wolverines over several other Big Ten and national programs. His recruitment reflected his projection as a multi-positional offensive lineman with the frame and footwork to develop at the next level.
He made his collegiate debut on August 31, 2019, appearing at left tackle in a game against Middle Tennessee. That freshman appearance marked the beginning of a steady climb through the Michigan depth chart, where he would earn responsibility at both tackle and guard while contributing on special teams.
Karsen Barnhart Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
As a freshman in 2019, Barnhart appeared in two games at left tackle and played special teams in one contest. He used his limited snaps to absorb the speed and complexity of the college game while adjusting to the Wolverines’ strength and conditioning program.
In 2020, a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, he appeared in all six games and made four starts at left tackle. He filled the role after an injury to starter Ryan Hayes, a vote of confidence from the coaching staff in his readiness to protect the quarterback against top-tier competition.
Michigan Breakthrough (2021–2022)
As a junior in 2021, Barnhart appeared in 10 games, including two starts at left guard. He was a member of the offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the best unit in college football, an experience that elevated his understanding of line-wide chemistry.
During his senior season in 2022, he appeared in 10 games with nine starts at tackle and was again part of a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. Following the season, he was named All-Big Ten honorable mention and was recognized as Michigan’s most improved player on offense, signaling his growth as a senior leader.
National Championship Run (2023)
As a graduate student in 2023, Barnhart started all 15 games for Michigan’s national championship team, lining up at right tackle, right guard, and left tackle. His positional versatility was on full display as the Wolverines captured the College Football Playoff title.
After starting right guard Zak Zinter suffered a broken tibia and fibula in Michigan’s final regular-season victory against Ohio State, Barnhart shifted from right tackle to guard for the remainder of the postseason. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference coaches for his performance.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024–2025)
On April 27, 2024, Barnhart signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent, reuniting him with former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the same day, before signing a reserve/future contract on January 13, 2025.
Barnhart was released by the Chargers as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was waived again on August 31, 2025, ending his time on the Chargers’ practice roster for that season.
Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025)
On October 14, 2025, Barnhart was signed to the Denver Broncos’ practice squad, giving him a brief opportunity with a second AFC franchise. He was waived by the Broncos on October 21, 2025.
On November 5, 2025, Barnhart signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad. He was released by the Buccaneers on November 21, 2025, continuing his search for a regular-season roster spot in the NFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Barnhart is valued for his positional flexibility along the offensive line, having started games at left tackle, right tackle, and both guard spots during his college career. His experience within Michigan’s zone-blocking and power schemes has translated to a polished technique in pass protection and run blocking. Coaches have consistently praised his football intelligence and willingness to play wherever the line needs him most.
Notable Events and Milestones
Barnhart’s signature moment came during the 2023 College Football Playoff, when he shifted from right tackle to guard after Zak Zinter’s injury and helped Michigan win the national championship. He is also a three-time Big Ten Conference champion and a two-time Joe Moore Award team member, honors that underscore his place in one of college football’s most decorated offensive line groups.
Karsen Barnhart Career Wins
Karsen Barnhart’s most significant wins came at the collegiate level, where he was a member of three consecutive Big Ten Conference championship teams and a 2023 College Football Playoff national championship squad. While he has not yet recorded a regular-season NFL win as a professional, his practice-squad stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have kept him active within league rosters.
Michigan Wolverines Highlights
Barnhart’s time at Michigan included three consecutive Big Ten titles, two Joe Moore Awards as part of the conference’s top offensive line, and a College Football Playoff national championship in 2023. His first start as a graduate student came in the season opener that year, and he went on to start all 15 games. He earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference coaches for his 2023 performance.
Other Wins and Performances
At Paw Paw High School, Barnhart was a multi-sport standout and an All-State selection in football, recognition that helped establish him as a top-100 guard prospect nationally. He contributed as both a tight end and an offensive lineman during his prep career, demonstrating the versatility that has continued to define his professional profile.
Karsen Barnhart Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Barnhart is the son of Jeff Barnhart and Jennifer Barnhart, both of whom raised him in Paw Paw, Michigan. His parents supported his early involvement in baseball, basketball, and football, a multi-sport foundation that helped him develop the coordination and toughness associated with offensive line play.
Personal Life
Public details about Barnhart’s personal life remain limited, and he has kept much of his life outside of football private. He maintains an active presence on social media, including his accounts on X and Instagram, where he shares updates on his training and professional journey.
2025 Season Performance
Barnhart’s 2025 NFL season has been marked by movement between practice squads rather than a settled roster home. He began the year with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he signed a reserve/future contract in January and remained through training camp before being released and re-signed to the practice squad in late August. He was waived again at the end of August, opening the door to his next opportunity.
In October 2025, he joined the Denver Broncos’ practice squad briefly before being waived within a week. Shortly after, he landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad in early November, only to be released later that month. The pattern reflects the volatile nature of bottom-of-roster movement for undrafted interior linemen in the modern NFL.
Looking ahead, Barnhart will look to convert practice-squad experience into a regular-season roster spot. His background as a national champion and All-Big Ten selection at Michigan, combined with his positional flexibility, gives him a credible path back onto an active 53-man roster. Continued development in pass protection and strength gains at 6 feet 5 inches will be central to his chances of sticking with a franchise beyond 2025.