The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE [average] up. You need to re-take a test. You need to play better on the field.' "You certainly never include somebody that's injured. That's out of their con- trol. But that is definitely part of it. We'll continue to do a good job of letting them know where they're at and being honest." Harbaugh emphasized that Michigan has kept recruits apprised of their status along the way. Although acknowledging the system is still getting refined, he stressed that those desiring to be Wolverines will be informed of where they stand. "Yes, that's what we do, that's what we have done, that's what we'll continue to do," he said. "Like in anything, we want to be better today than we were yes- terday. We want to be better tomorrow than we were today. "We did our best. There were mistakes made, and I take full accountability for them. But I don't apologize. We'll keep forging on." Harbaugh also took note of a number of important items concerning the recruiting process: • Michigan plans for no grayshirts, or delayed scholarships, in the class. • U-M was able to backdate all of the early enrollees to be considered part of the very small 2015 class, so there will be no issues with over-signing. • His staff is still working on a number of preferred walk-ons he expects to be part of the team. • He's adamantly in favor of an early signing period. In fact, he went beyond having a specific date. "I would vote that you could sign a national letter of intent at any time," he said. "That would be a good thing." • He'll continue to work on getting Michigan preps into the program (the National Signing Day roster lists three from the state), but won't hesitate to go anywhere for a player. "There are some darned good football players from the state of Michigan," he said. "Anywhere a player is proven to be highly competitive in the classroom and on the football field, and is a good citizen, we're going to want to take a look at him. "They've got to want to come. You're allowed to cross state borders in my America." • Harbaugh acknowledged doing very well in the state of New Jersey, the National Signing Day roster included six players from there. "It's always been a good tradition of football players coming out of that state, the Garden State," Harbaugh said. "Also, we are looking for nuggets of gold anywhere. "There's good, there's better, there's best. It's guys with a heart for football. There's a football face that I see sometimes. Our guys have got that." — John Borton