Michigan football: Jim Harbaugh takes not-so-subtle shot at Ohio State

There is no greater rivalry in college sports than Ohio State and Michigan football.

The Wolverines and Buckeyes hate each other so much that they talk about each other all day every day and they try to find even the smallest thing to talk trash about.

Well, Jim Harbaugh just gave Michigan fans some serious ammo.

In the recruitment for top-50 cornerback Bryce West who happens to be from Ohio, the race is reportedly down to Ohio State and Michigan.

And Harbaugh had an interesting message for West during his visit:

“The best players in Ohio come play at Michigan.”

Say that to an Ohio State fan and see how quickly they’re ready to throw hands. This is the epitome of “fighting words” and Buckeye fans have to be seething at this quote.

But is Harbaugh wrong?

Does Harbaugh’s direct shot at OSU hold any weight?

So far in the 2024 class, Harbaugh has landed four Ohio prospects, headlined by four-star running back Jordan Marshall who’s ranked in the top 100.

In 2023, he landed one four-star and three three-star recruits from Ohio. That’s not exactly living up to the quote, but let’s look back a little further.

In 2022, he didn’t land a single Ohio commit and his last one was Rod Moore back in 2021.

While he may not have landed the top recruits in Ohio every cycle, he has current bragging rights over the Buckeyes and has landed the No. 3 prospect from the state over the Buckeyes. And Harbaugh has a chance to land the No. 1 prospect as well in West who’s ranked No. 49 in the composite. The Wolverines are also in the running for another top-50 cornerback in Aaron Scott.

Do the best players in Ohio go to Michigan? I’m not sure that’s the case yet, but if Michigan keeps beating Ryan Day and Ohio State, it may be soon.