Jaishawn Barham, Michigan edge rusher, picked in third round by Cowboys

Jaishawn Barham, who made the move from linebacker to edge rusher early last season, was the third Michigan player selected on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.

Barham was selected in the third round by Dallas with the 92nd overall pick on Friday night. Edge Derrick Moore was the first Michigan player taken in the draft, selected in the second round at No. 44 overall by Detroit. Tight end Marlin Klein went late in the second round at No. 59 overall to Houston. Moore, Barham and Klein were projected Day 2 selections.

By late September last season, Barham, who was nicknamed “Superman” by former interim head coach Biff Poggi and “Killa” by offensive lineman Nathan Efobi, had moved to edge.

“That’s ‘Killa’ right there, the man who doesn’t smile,” Efobi said jokingly to reporters last season. “I’ve gotten him to laugh a couple times, just by me being me. But that’s ‘Killa’ — always serious, always ready to hit somebody, always ready to kill at any moment.”

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Barham transferred to Michigan from Maryland and played his final two seasons for the Wolverines. He finished with four sacks and was honorable mention All-Big Ten last season. Former Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was asked last season about Barham’s intimidating demeanor.

“That’s who he is. That’s his personality,” Martindale said last fall. “I think some people take him being quiet and just looking at you as being mean, and he’s just trying to figure people out just like we all do. But he hits, and those guys are unique. Once you get to know him, it’s a back and forth, it’s a trust, it’s a relationship. And he’s fun to be around. But if anything happens, I’m glad he’s on my side.”

NFL Network’s draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said recently on a conference call with reporters that several NFL teams he spoke with liked Barham because he’s still new to the position and can be developed.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

@achengelis