It seems Jim Harbaugh must believe that he has Rashan Gary on board. He just released DT/NT Ondre Pipkins from his football scholarship; trying to get him to agree to a medical hardship. Pipkins sure thinks that he is being released to make room for numbers in the 2016 class:
"I feel I'm healthy and ready to play," said Pipkins, who played last season after he was cleared to return from a torn knee ligament. "I don't want to sign the form. I wanted to play for my seniors and for the team. Coach Harbaugh said, 'I recommend you take the medical.'"
Pipkins said he felt constant pressure to retire.
"College football is a business. New coaches have to win games. They want to go with guys they think can win. If I'm a victim of making room, so be it. But if there is no concrete reason to disqualify a player, he should have the right to keep playing."
"I feel bad I wasn't able to complete this journey with my classmates," Pipkins told ESPN. "I feel I am healthy and without pain. I believe Michigan wanted to free up the scholarship. I felt I was practicing well and could compete at a high level at the nose tackle and tackle positions."
What makes this even more intriguing is the fact that Harbaugh just declined a transfer from former Notre Dame Redshirt Freshman SDE Jhonathon Williams. Odd that he would take a pass on either of these players, while giving offers to some unranked or two-star prospects. Their roster still seems to have room for another five recruits (est.).
I am inclined to believe that Harbaugh is confident that he will land a number of blue chippers to make a big splash on signing day.
So tell me, what does it all mean?
