Jim Harbaugh excited about early signees in 2018 recruiting class

The Michigan football program officially gained 16 new members yesterday thanks to the early signing period for high school players. It was a big day for not just the University of Michigan, but universities all over the country that were able to sign recruits two months before originally planned.

So naturally, when Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was asked Wednesday night what he likes most about the class, he stopped and really thought about it.

“The thing I like best...I like a lot of things,” Harbaugh said. “The thing I like best...”

About 20 seconds later, he finally gave his answer.

“Football players. Students. But I think the thing I like best is there’s guys that really wanted to be at Michigan,” Harbaugh said. “They appreciate what Michigan has to offer and they can understand it as both a football powerhouse and an academic powerhouse. Nobody (in this class) really thinks they are doing us a favor.”

Harbaugh also admitted he liked how some of these players are record-breakers, state champions and well suited in the classroom. “Production” is the word he used on several occasions to describe the class.

Harbaugh also did not shy away when asked specifically about the ceiling of 4-star quarterback Joe Milton. Michigan’s coach said Milton is “very physically talented,” and has “a real fire to be great.”

“Every time you’re around (Milton) he’s working on something,” Harbaugh said. “He’s sending us videos of daily progress. He’s chomping at the bit to know the system, get the playbook. He’ll be here in 10 days and he’s got an unbelievable drive to be really great; I love that about Joe.”

You may be looking at this class wondering where the 5-star players are at. If you are wondering that, let me just say “relax.” There are still several highly touted prospects U-M is trying to land, and these guys aren’t expected to commit until close to National Signing Day. Aubrey Solomon committed on National Signing Day last year; Rashan Gary did it the year before. Tom Petty once sang that waiting is the hardest part, but it sure is worth it when these recruits commit to Michigan, ain’t it?

So even though this class — so far — does not have any five-stars, Harbaugh and company seem to like what they see out of the group of guys they have.

“You want the guys who get the best grades, win the most awards and excel at sports,” Harbaugh said.