winterblue75

January 21st, 2014 at 11:02 AM ^

For a kid that has grown up a lifelong Michigan fan, I just don't understand how Borges leaving makes such a huge impact...I know that his HS coach and Borges are friends, but Borges has only been here 3 years....seems lifelong means he liked UM well before Borges arrived.

LSAClassOf2000

January 21st, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^

There was also this (HERE), which was written yesterday and does say this about a conversation TomVH had with Harris' mother:

"ESPN.com's Tom VanHaaren then spoke to Harris' mother, who said the family was in a state of "shock" over the news, and wished not to speak about the situation."

It could be an out, but it could also be that something about Borges' scheme was attractive to Harris, or the staff as it was perhaps. I only post this so there is maximum perspective on this point. 

Blue in Yarmouth

January 21st, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^

I don't think it was a convenient out and think it has everything to do with Borges leaving. The thing I have trouble with is why that makes a difference. Honestly, if I'm a running back and I watched what happened at UM this past season I'd be much more inclined to leave if Borges and his scheme stayed as opposed to the opposite. I mean how attractive is it to come play for the coach who contributed to putting the worst rushing offense in school history on the field. 

Now I don't know Damien Harris obviously, so I can't say anything for sure but from what I've read about him thus far leads me to believe he is a pretty standup guy for his age. So if he was genuine about being a lifelong UM fan I have to think he will find his way back in this class after the dust has settled. Honestly, I can see a person being shocked by the firing, but not shock so much you forget the fact that you rooted for a team your whole life. 

If he doesn't find his way back in this class, I wish him the best where ever he ends up. At the end of the day it's his decision and people need to respect that. I'd love to have him come to UM and I won't try and downplay his importance to the class, but we all just need to keep calm and respect a kids decision to go where ever he wants for whatever reasons he deems appropriate. Everyone uses different criterea when picking a university and UM just isn't the place for everyone. 

alum96

January 21st, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^

I think the on field results pushed both Campbell and Harris away.  Also McDowell who I know is not yet gone but all the signs are there.  Even Peppers was waffling- cmon if UM was 10-2 last year this stuff would not be happening. IMO Hand would be a Wolverine if this team was 10-2 with close losses to MSU and OSU or whatever. Sorry we can talk about 1938 results or 1997 all we want but most kids want to see their team kicking ass on the field and ours has looked not good against top end teams the past few years, and this year was particularly bad. We didnt belong on the same field as KSU or MSU.  And Akron and Uconn played us to the end. I know I know OSU but that is 1 game versus a top end team...  results on the field matter  and this was brewing on his twitter page even before Borges.    This one is particularly sad due to his talent and his love for UM growing up....

uncleFred

January 21st, 2014 at 2:07 PM ^

If you think that Nussmeier and Hoke have until 2016 to get things turned around and that winning the Big Ten Championship is the bar of success then there is a good chance that Nussmeier is gone by 2017.

If Hoke doesn't get it done he and his staff are gone so Nussmeier is swept out with the rest of the staff. If the team wins the Big Ten Championship, there is a very good chance that it makes the playoffs. Getting Michigan to the playoffs is more than good enough for Nussmeier to pull a head coaching job somewhere attractive enough for him to leave.

It's hard to construct a scenario in which the teams performance is good enough to keep Hoke and his staff around that doesn't put Nussmeier in a position to get snapped up as a head coach.

Jimmyisgod

January 21st, 2014 at 11:09 AM ^

Hopefully he comes back into the fold.  Borges was the primary reason he committed to us, he had a very good relationship with him.  I don't think we are out of this, but we have to rebuilda relationship with Harris and his family.

Damn, talk about ruining my Tuesday.

getsome

January 21st, 2014 at 12:04 PM ^

thats what happens when a team does not just simply dissapoint on the field during a given season, but they rush for negative yards in consecutive games along with mostly poor rushing performances in all other meaningful games.  harris is widely considered the most talented RB in his class and has very realistic nfl aspirations - he needs to make best decisions to realize those aspirations.  while i eventually believe um will field a competent OL and get back to competitive football, harris watched osu lead the nation in rushing last season just as he watched 27 for 27, etc.   theres a reason osu and other programs, particularly sec squads, field consistently better teams than um in modern era....athletes....relentelessly pursuing as many straight up genetic mistakes as possible at every position.....and then advertising your winning culture and pro factories on national tv.   its great recruiting according to the um "profile" or whatever if you can make that work in this modern game (stanford has but few have sustained)  but only so many role players and "um guys" can comprise a truly elite championship roster.  hopefully hoke realizes that he needs elite athletes like hand and mcdowell and campbell and harris to win big - not necessarily those kids but similar talents....i just dont know if he does considering the pallante and runyan offers, etc and the big problem is it might be too late...theyll turn it around and be competitive for all 13 games in a year or 2 but they needed that consistency last yr.  prime example of trouble is every article written about UM's DEs next year indicateing a sense of promise and improvement given the returning senior starters in beyer and clark....but what i and many informed fans see are 2 good kids who proudly rep um but ultimately perform as mediocre athletes.  they need athletic specimens at many positions including RB and they need them stacked back to back to back if they want to reach ultimate goals hoke has set.  harris not just a huge loss in next years class, but its a killer to programs recruiting image and momentum along with campbell and questionable closing to 2014 class (even if harris were to jump back in fold - be great if he did bc i think hed actually have some experienced OL to run behind and a flexible OC with a feel by time hed get rolling at um).    one more line in my rambling post here - hopefully most have the maturity to leave this kid alone on twitter and whatnot - not only is it beyond pathetic to interact with kids and recruits online , but hopefully majority of fans can try to somewhat view thru eyes of 16-18 yr old recruits, especially truly athleticly gifted kids with legit professional aspirations, and consider um just might not be the ideal place for all to pursue nfl dreams despite fandom 

Brown Bear

January 21st, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^

Long ways from signing day 2015. Plenty of time for him to recommit. Nothing wrong with him evaluating his options. If he was a '14 kid it would be a bigger worry.

I Like Burgers

January 21st, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^

Eventually, Hoke and co. need to win.  I think with Harris and Campbell decommitting you've seen the shine wear off on selling a turn around and family atmosphere.  That works for a lot of recruits, but the top guys want to win and play on the biggest stages and Michigan just can't sell that right now.  

Had 2013 been a better season, they could have sustained and built upon their recruiting momentum.  But, after three straight years of regression, it would seem that the momentum that got them into the conversation with guys like Hand, Campbell, and Harris is gone.

So for a lot of reasons, Michigan needs to have a really strong showing in 2014 if they want to try and continue recruiting these elite kids.

Genzilla

January 21st, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^

I really hate losing Harris and Campbell at this stage, but if they're going to decommit and reevaluate their options I'd rather have them do this now than a year from now.

maize-blue

January 21st, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^

It kind of sucks that these guys (Harris and Campbell) were pushed hard by adults to make their decisions. Harris by his coach and Campbell by his uncle but I guess that's how it goes.