Michigan Football: Jim Harbaugh defends Rashan Gary ahead of 2019 NFL draft

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh defended Rashan Gary Tuesday morning and said that he will be a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

If you are a fan of Michigan football, then head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s Attack Each Day podcast is well worth the listen.

On Tuesday, with the NFL draft right around the corner, former alum Adam Schefter joined the show to discuss the prospects of Michigan football players in the annual selection meeting.

One big topic was Rashan Gary and on the same morning a report about a shoulder injury was released by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Harbaugh defended the highest ranked recruit he has brought to Ann Arbor, effectively guaranteeing Gary will be a top-10 pick Thursday night.

"“I see people trying to put out a negative thing about a player. Rashan Gary runs in the 4.5’s, he’s 280 pounds. He’s going to get drafted in the top 10,” Harbaugh said on his podcast. “These people that are trying to kid themselves that he’s not, it’s comical to me. They’re trying to get someone to not pick him in the top 10 so he could fall. There are some people out there who would love to see him get into the 20s so they can get him. It’s fairly transparent. “"

Harbaugh continued and talked about how NFL teams try to get players to fall down in the draft, so they have a better chance to draft better talent, which obviously, makes sense.

"“And the way pro teams go about it is that. They try the ‘I don’t know, I wouldn’t take him there or here.’ Watch on draft day. He’ll get taken in that spot.”"

While it seemed that the relationship between Harbaugh and Gary cooled somewhat during last season, partially because of Gary deciding not to play against Michigan State, when the staff believed he was ready. Another big issue was his choice not to play in the Peach Bowl, a decision that probably hasn’t helped with questions about his passion for the game.

Gary also racked up just 9.5 sacks in three seasons despite being 6-foot-4, 280 pounds and running the 40-yard dash in 4.5. However, he did face constant double and sometimes even triple teams, but he never emerged as a dominant force many expected from the top recruit in 2016.

The defensive lineman had his moments, yet after missing three games with an injury, his junior season was a disappointment. It felt like he was more worried about his draft stock than producing and that kind of guy can scare NFL teams. No one wants guys just motivated by money.

At any rate, with their history, it was good to see Harbaugh defend his guy and other players will certainly take notice that the head coach is still trying to do what he can to help a Michigan football player on draft night.

However, with the injury flag coming out, Gary’s stock could be falling. Mel Kiper said he expected him to go between 10-28, so I guess we will see who is right Thursday. Harbaugh or Kiper and whether or not these were true NFL smokescreens or legitimate concerns.