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Three-star prospect Matt Falcon (Southfield, Michigan), one of Michigan's 2016 commitments at running back, shed some light on his recruitment to Scout.com's Allen Trieu on Monday.
Falcon tore his ACL prior to the start of this season, which was the second time he has done so in the same knee. Because of this, his playing career is somewhat in doubt. Even if he is able to get back out there, will he be limited?
The answer to that question remains to be seen, but it puts Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan coaching staff in a really tough spot.
"I want to play football and I can still play at a high level," Falcon told Trieu, "but at this time, I'm divided because Michigan is only giving me one option. Coach Harbaugh told my mother quote 'if Matthew comes to Michigan, he will not be able to play football.' But they would pay for my college education for academics.
"I would have to sign a waiver saying I can't play even though top surgeons told me, my family and Coach Harbaugh I will be able to get back on the field and play at a high level."
With that statement, barring a complete change of stance from Harbaugh and company, Falcon will not be able to be a member of the Michigan football team, though the university is still willing to pay his way through school.
It is apparent Falcon wants to continue playing football and also says in the article that he is looking into other options right now, but still considers himself a Michigan commitment.
@jb_insiders yes sir
— Matt Falcon (@mfalcon21) October 19, 2015
Following the release of the article from Scout, Falcon himself took to Twitter to make a statement to the fans.
— Matt Falcon (@mfalcon21) October 19, 2015
This is not a scenario that took place following Michigan's recently-picked up pursuit of five-star Kareem Walker. There have been rumblings of a parting of ways between the Wolverines and Falcon for a few weeks now, and talk of that picked up with a recent offer from Central Michigan.
Following that offer, a source told me that CMU would not have offered if they did not think they had a legitimate shot at becoming a landing spot for Falcon.
It is an unfortunate situation and one cannot help but feel sorry for Falcon. He has fought back from previous injuries and earned an offer from Michigan, a school that he is extremely passionate about. To be told that football is not an option at your dream school must be extremely difficult.
From the Michigan side of things, they have to do what they have to do. Harbaugh and his staff are trying to build a program and need as many healthy, productive bodies as they can get their hands on, which is why they have picked up their pursuit of other running back targets.
Many programs would simply rescind the scholarship and leave a prospect with nothing, but Michigan has at least kept the medical scholarship on the table, which is noble. The question now becomes a list of pros and cons for Falcon and what he and his family believe is best for his future.
We will see what ends up happening, but Michigan's 2016 class now has an opening for another running back prospect, it appears.