Amidst Reports of Jim Harbaugh Leaving for NFL, Michigan Dealt Yet Another Blow

26 years. That’s how long it’s been since the Michigan Wolverines won the National Championship. The 1997 season saw the Wolverines go undefeated, clinching the title in the 1998 Rose Bowl. 26 years later, the team is going into the 2024 Rose Bowl undefeated once again. All was going well for them, with potentially another National Championship up their sleeves. To add to that, per Maize n Brew, Michigan signed 27 commits on 2024 National Signing Day and had “one of the least stressful signing days ever.” However, the current transfer portal situation in Michigan would induce second thoughts.

Just when the Michigan football management and fans thought it was over, they were hit with a sudden blow. The Wolverines faced a rejection from their three-star top prospect of the season. With rumors of Coach Jim Harbaugh’s departure flying around, the 2024 season could prove to be very chaotic for the Wolverines.

Defensive Back transfer prospect withdraws from Michigan

One of the transfers that Michigan was looking forward to the most was Western Kentucky’s 3rd year DB, Upton Stout. However, the No. 6 cornerback has suddenly withdrawn from the transfer portal. After the announcement, Stout said, “Excited to return to WKU for the 2024 season. I believe special things are ahead for this team and our defense and I can’t wait to be part of it. Let’s run it back.” While this was music to WKU’s ears, considering their #21 jersey is returning to the team, it crushed Michigan’s plans.

With the Wolverines’ star players like J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards, and Mike Sainristil possibly rushing to the 2024 NFL Draft when the season ends, the Wolverines would need equally dexterous players to replace them. Stout shared the same qualities as Sainristil, which was why he was a valued prospect. He could get interceptions and pass deflections, force fumbles, and make plays against the pass and run. That’s why Michigan is faced with a conundrum now.

With Stout retracting, finding another promising candidate for the DB position would be a headache for Michigan. And that’ll only add to their biggest headache at the moment: Jim Harbaugh’s possible switch to the NFL.

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Jim Harbaugh’s draft for the NFL and Michigan’s contingency plan

Coach Harbaugh had a troubling season with two suspensions and sportsmanship policy-defaming charges. With all this ‘baggage’ with him and the differences between him and the NCAA, per Paul Finebaum, “Harbaugh would be wise to leave.” Moreover, the Michigan head coach won’t have to worry about looking for jobs in the league, as teams are chasing after him.

The Los Angeles Chargers were the first ones to voice out their interest in Harbaugh. Given their poor ranks and modifiable roster, Harbaugh would have to do a lot of work with the Chargers. The team ranks 4th in the AFC West and is in dire need of a coach like Harbaugh. Per insider Jordan Schultz, “The Chargers have interest in Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh, per sources. It’s unclear if the feeling is mutual, as Harbaugh gets set to coach the Wolverines in their third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance.” But the Chargers aren’t the only team.

The team preceding the Chargers in the AFC West Table, the Raiders, has also extended an offer to the former 49ers coach. Amidst all this, though, the Michigan Wolverines are doing all they can to retain the coach who’s led them to three consecutive College Football Playoffs. The Wolverines are reportedly working on a $55 million, five-year extension for Harbaugh, which would make him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten.

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