News updates on the Michigan football sign-stealing incident as the amount of evidence in the purported cheating investigation grows
The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines have been enjoying a fantastic season, but there are a lot of distractions involved.
Unquestionably, the on-field performance has been outstanding, but allegations of sign-stealing have produced an off-field drama that seemingly ends on a different cliffhanger each day.
The Wolverines are still very much in the running for a third straight Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Staff member Connor Stallions, whom allegedly purchased tickets for over 30 games while employing “illegal technology” to remove signage, is the focus of the investigation.
Pay suspensions have been placed on Stallions while the NCAA conducts its inquiry. An apparent focus point here is Coach Jim Harbaugh, whom has already been involved with the NCAA, yet has denied knowing about the plot.
The Michigan scandal broke on Monday, turning from a nebulous tale with no apparent way forward to a conspicuous and well-planned scheme of cheating that obviously violated boundaries that any college football player would regard as ambiguous.
According to ESPN, during the course of four seasons, low-level Michigan worker Connor Stallions purchased tickets in his own right to games at eleven different Big Ten universities.
Stallions is currently the subject of an NCAA investigation for potential violations of regulations against in-person reconnaissance of opponents.
Video footage appears to show that those seated there utilized gadgets to record future Michigan opponents’ sidelines. This footage was likely sent back to Stallions to assist him in deciphering play calls.
In spite of a number of off-field distractions, Michigan has had minimal difficulty on the playing field this year, smothering opponents throughout the season en route to an unblemished start.
The most recent: Michigan is being investigated by the NCAA for reportedly employing methods prohibited by the organization to steal other teams’ signs; the program has downplayed this accusation.
This season, the Wolverines have already run into trouble when head coach Jim Harbaugh was disciplined in relation to an NCAA probe for a minor recruiting infraction.
The investigation began to center more on whether Harbaugh had lied to them than on the actual recruiting violation.
The probe is still underway, despite Michigan’s attempt to put a stop to potential punishment by suspending Harbaugh for three games of its own.
Once more, the NCAA is looking into the Wolverines for allegedly breaking NCAA rules by utilizing in-person scouts to steal signs from other Big Ten games.
According to reports, it also contains video proof of devices being utilized for stealing signs, which is against the law.
The focus of the probe thus far has been Wolverines analyst Connor Stallions, who has been placed on paid leave by the university.
After joining Michigan in May 2022 while an analyst, Stallions, previously a marine captain, had his computer checked as part of the probe.
According to a Monday ESPN report, Stallions has tickets under his own names for over thirty games at eleven Big Ten colleges during the previous seasons.
“Stallions sent the tickets they bought to no fewer than three distinct individuals in different areas across the country,” according to ESPN.
Athletic administrator Warde Manuel released a statement on Thursday stating, “U-M Athletics will offer its full cooperation with the NCAA in this matter.”
We at the University if Michigan are dedicated to upholding the greatest moral and ethical standards for each and every one of our community’s members. I have the same standards for all student-athletes, staff members, and coaches.
As per a source briefed on the situation, the NCAA is looking into Michigan “for possible rule-breaking surrounding in-person scouting of opponents.”
Off-campus, personally scouting of potential opponents is forbidden per NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1.
If there was a problem with the bylaw, the complaint would probably go via the regular infractions procedure.