Head coach Jim Harbaugh just left the podium at Schembechler Hall ahead of Michigan football’s trip to Illinois this upcoming weekend. Here is a blow-by-blow-recap of everything he had to say after Iowa and ahead of the road game this weekend.
- No updates yet on injuries to Kwity Paye and Sean McKeon
- Harbaugh says special teams are “hitting their stride” as far as season-long progression goes.
- Dylan McCaffrey is still working through getting back from concussion. Would not divulge status for the weekend.
- Harbaugh has decided they will stick with the two-kicker rotation between Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin.
- Harbaugh likes progression of redzone offense: “I feel like we’re very close offensively and very close to hitting the stride of hitting on all cylinders. Really good evidence to back that up and also what I see.”
- Brandon Peters brought up. Harbaugh says that he is a “good player” and that he has continued to follow him. “Won us some ballgames.”
- He was also asked to sum up how his quarterback recruits have developed under him and declined to go into it. Said that he “would rather not toot his own horn” in that area.
- Linebacker Josh Ross (ankle) is not expected to return this week for Michigan.
- Jordan Glasgow singled out as player that had really good game last week. Cited his ability to cover and also get to the quarterback.
- “Cam McGrone is another ascending player.”
- Harbaugh asked about the California name, image and likeness bill and says he would be in support of players coming out to be a professional athlete whenever they would like, even in football. If they do not get drafted, they would be allowed to return to college as a means to preserve amateurism.
- Daxton Hill has taken over the role as the team’s starting nickel player.
- Harbaugh would like to see a system in place where coaches are rewarded for doing the right thing and playing within the rules.
- Asked to clarify “hitting their stride” comments from the offense, Harbaugh says that they are an “evolving, improving group” that has shown great effort in practice and is giving it all they can. His takeaway from the Iowa game is that they played a really good defense that limited what they were able to do.
- Harbaugh says at some point, credit should go to teams like Wisconsin and Iowa for their defensive efforts. Still feels that his team is growing and putting in great effort on a week-to-week basis.
- Harbaugh asked if there is another level for Donovan Peoples-Jones to reach. Says yes and he is ascending. Asked if they can utilize him more, Harbaugh says they do utilize him.
- Final comment on player likeness debate: “I like the fact that there’s 38 sports on campus. Always have felt that way. I like that guys and girls can participate in athletic competition and receive college scholarship. You can talk to Warde Manuel what the athletic budget is -- they spend every dollar. It’s going to non-revenue sports and the revenue sports. That model has been around for a long time. It was around -- football being the sport that generates the most revenue. There was a time that basketball was shooting into peachtree baskets, it was able to come along and flourish.”