As we inch closer and closer to signing day, recruiting has come into focus in the world of college football. And this year, the work Jim Harbaugh is doing at Michigan has drawn headlines.
According to Rivals.com, the Wolverines have the No. 3 overall class in the country. But as a product of that success on the recruiting trail, the Wolverines have seen a number of decommitments, with a few verbally committed prospects being pushed aside weeks before signing day
Harbaugh has drawn criticism for this, but defended his program’s recruiting approach when speaking to reporters Friday following the introduction of new athletic director Warde Manuel.
Harbaugh told reporters that the program’s approach to recruiting is a “meritocracy.”
From MLive.com:
Harbaugh says his approach to recruiting is the same as his approach to the team's depth chart during the season.
It's a meritocracy.
"We're very much out there, we don't hide how we operate and with what we do," Harbaugh said. "It's a meritocracy. In everything we do in our program. It's going to continue to be that."
Two prospects in particular – four-star offensive lineman Erik Swenson and two-star defensive lineman Rashad Weaver – brought Michigan’s recruiting under scrutiny. Swenson had been verbally committed to UM since November 2013 (when Brady Hoke was head coach) but said his offer was pulled suddenly, though other reports indicated that the writing was on the wall regarding his status for quite some time.
Weaver verbally committed to UM in June but wrote on Twitter last week that he was parting ways with the program after being “informed by coach Harbaugh that there is a 50/50 chance” there would not be room for him in the 2016 signing class. Weaver also wrote that he received “little to no contact with the staff” since he committed.
Weaver noted that he was given the chance to join the program after a year at a prep school or as a preferred walk-on, but opted to open up his recruitment and consider his other scholarship offers.
Harbaugh says he and his staff have been transparent with prospects and will always work toward bringing in the best players.
From MLive:
Asked specifically if he believes he and his coaching staff have been open and clear with the way they've communicated with recruits in relation to their recruiting philosophy, Harbaugh said "yes" he does.
"It's a meritocracy," he added. "They've got to continue to perform when there's early commitments. Both in the classroom, on the field and as a citizen in the community. That's how we're going about it.
"I don't hide from that at all and I won't. That's what we demand."
Michigan currently has 26 verbal commitments and is a favorite to land No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary, a defensive lineman from New Jersey. National signing day is Feb. 3.
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