The NCAA has opened an investigation into Michigan football for allegedly scouting future opponents in-person, according to a report Thursday from Yahoo Sports. The Big Ten confirmed the existence of the investigation to Yahoo.
Specific opponents were not named, though they were believed to be both in the Big Ten and "possible future College Football Playoff opponents." It's also not clear if the alleged in-person scouts worked directly for Michigan or were "others who were loyal to the program."
The in-person scouting allegedly occurred at games, the report says. It's not clear at this time whether Michigan or its agents used video to record opponents' signals, nor is it clear if Jim Harbaugh directed, or was even aware, of the alleged scheme.
The NCAA believes Michigan may have sent in-person scouts to study future opponents' signals. Stealing opponents' signals is not illegal, but in-person scouting has been outlawed in the NCAA since 1994.
The Big Ten, according to a report from The Athletic, believes Michigan used a "vast network" of scouts to monitor opponents' signals.
It's not clear what any penalty would be if Michigan is found guilty.
However, Michigan is already under investigation for a similar penalty. Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension for meeting with recruits during the COVID dead period. That case is not expected to be resolved until next year.
No. 2 Michigan visits Michigan State on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC). The Athletic reported Michigan State initially warned the Big Ten it might not play the game "out of concern for the health and safety of its players," but confirmed Thursday morning that the game is still on.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update: The Big Ten released this statement shortly following the Yahoo report:
Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program. The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future opponents. The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The Conference will have no further comment at this time.
Here is Michigan's statement:
The university has been notified by the NCAA, along with the Big Ten, that the NCAA is investigating allegations of play signal stealing by Michigan football. The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and the NCAA. The investigation is ongoing and will not impact Saturday's game. At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community.
And now, a statement from U-M AD Warde Manuel:
I want to personally assure you that U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter. At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community. This is the same expectation I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Given (the) ongoing investigation, I'll have no further comments at this time.