Michigan Football: Recruiting should stabilize with new Jim Harbaugh deal

Michigan football should be able to stabilize its recruiting operation with Jim Harbaugh in the fold long term but all the contract rumors probably hurt.

One of the best things about Jim Harbaugh reaching a new long-term deal to be Michigan football‘s head coach is that it should allow recruiting to stabilize.

It’s not that things were going badly before and the Wolverines finished the early signing period in 2021 pretty strong with the signing of J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards and Xavier Worthy.

Yet, it was always going to be hard to add anyone in the late period for the class of 2021 or even make a serious run to potential targets in the transfer portal without a new deal in place for Harbaugh.

It’s still somewhat difficult without a defensive coordinator in place, although Mike Macdonald of the Ravens is expected to be hired as DC or at least co-defensive coordinator.

But until the defensive staff is in place, which could happen sooner rather than later with a number of assistants having their contracts expire Monday, it’s hard to recruit kids who want to transfer in for a year or so.

Long term, with an eye on 2022, Michigan football has stabilized things more and even though this doubt probably hurt some with elite corners Will Johnson and Domani Jackson, Domani was rocking Michigan gear recently and Will Johnson also had positive things to say about Harbaugh being back in the fold.

Johnson and Jackson have talked about playing together and Michigan football has been considered a strong contender for both. However, Ohio State is in the mix too, so getting a new defensive coordinator and also making a decision on cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich would be helpful.

Still, I don’t see recruiting being a huge problem for Macdonald. Most coaches that come from the NFL have that built-in advantage, plus the Ravens have been known for their defensive excellence.

And one of Michigan 2022 commitments, four-star linebacker Tyler Martin also said positive things about Harbaugh signing his contract, which is a good sign.

For the most part, recruits seem to buy into the idea that Harbaugh will be at Michigan long term to turn it around with the Wolverines and many want to be part of that.

Of course, adding guys like Johnson and Jackson in 2022 would certainly help, as would some talent in the transfer portal to fill some immediate needs.

I expect that’s the focus and those efforts will be much easier with a deal now signed.