Michigan Wolverines

Harbaugh says Michigan recruiting is 'meritocracy' with nothing to hide

Published Jan. 29, 2016 1:25 p.m. ET

Marcus Hartman

Michigan football has been on a recruiting hot streak lately with eight new verbal commitments since Jan. 21, including Florida tight end Nick Eubanks on Thursday night.

Coach Jim Harbaugh's class has experienced growing pains, though, as several players have decommitted along the way, including two who indicated it was because their spot was taken away or at least in jeopardy.

At a press conference to introduce new Michigan director of athletics Warde Manuel on Friday, Harbaugh spoke briefly about his approach to recruiting.

Calling it "a meritocracy," Harbaugh said when players commit they are told they still must continue to earn their scholarships, "both in 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.”

With less than a week until National Signing Day, Harbaugh and Michigan are still chugging along with the potential to finish with one of the best classes in the country.

They have scheduled a star-studded event to unveil the new class on Wednesday in Ann Arbor.