Michigan football's Jim Harbaugh says he can't respond to NCAA's comment on investigation

Jim Harbaugh still cannot talk about the NCAA investigation into the Michigan football program.

On Tuesday, the first time he's addressed media since fall camp began on Aug. 1, Harbaugh was concise when asked if he could comment now that the NCAA made its own public statement about the investigation.

"No," he said. "I cannot."

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It's the same message he shared when he spoke at Big Ten media days last month in Indianapolis, two days after reports initially surfaced that he was expected to be suspended for the first four games of the 2023 season. One source told the Free Press at that time the agreement was "as good as" done, and all that remained was the committee on infractions' acceptance of the negotiated resolution.

The resolution also called for one-game suspensions for offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome.

But on Saturday, Yahoo! Sports reported that the agreement between Michigan and the NCAA fell through and was poised to head toward a hearing. In an unprecedented move, NCAA vice president of hearing operations Derrick Crawford issued a statement to Yahoo!.

"The Michigan infractions case is related to impermissible on and off-campus recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and impermissible coaching activities — not a cheeseburger," he said, alluding to rumors which implied the case was about one minor instance. "It is not uncommon for the (Committee on Infractions) to seek clarification on key facts prior to accepting."

"The COI may also reject an (negotiated resolution) if it determines that the agreement is not in the best interests of the Association or the penalties are not reasonable. If the involved parties cannot resolve a case through the negotiated resolution process, it may proceed to a hearing, but the committee believes cooperation is the best avenue to quickly resolve issues."

That got a responses from Tom Mars, Harbaugh's attorney, on social media.

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"Pursuant to the NCAA's internal operating procedures, and under threat of penalties, Michigan, the involved coaches, and their lawyers are prohibited from uttering a word about this ongoing case," he began. "Yet the NCAA can issue a public statement putting its spin on the case?"

Mars told the Free Press he cannot publicly comment on the case earlier this weekend. Harbaugh said as much Tuesday.

Michigan opens the regular season ranked No. 2 in the USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll and will host East Carolina. Harbaugh said nothing will distract the team from its mission.

“My wife asks me to do things too … I’m trying my best," he said. "But I’m really locked in on this football team.”

Kris Jenkins the 'poster child'

In case you haven't received the message, watch out for Kris Jenkins.

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The 6-foot-3, 307-pound defensive tackle is ranked sixth on The Athletic's list of 101 "athletic freaks" in college football on Tuesday. Jenkins reportedly "did 32 reps of 225 on the bench and did 760 pounds on the combo twist. Only last year’s top Freak, Mazi Smith, some 30 pounds heavier, did more slinging around at 800 pounds.”

Jenkins, who gained 20 pounds this offseason, hasn't just been a leader in the weight room, but off the field.

Harbaugh selected the senior as one of three player representatives to Indianapolis last month. He doubled down on Jenkins' leadership skills on Tuesday, singling out the Olney, Maryland, native as the prototype for his players to follow.

"It's to the point where I had to make a poster person for who I thought really defined enthusiasm unknown to mankind," Harbaugh said. "I looked at every player, every coach, even considered myself. By the power vested in me as the head coach, the poster person for enthusiasm unknown to mankind for the 2023 year, is Kris Jenkins."

For the honor, Jenkins received a sticker that reads 'EUTM on his helmet'. He's not the only one; Blake Ccorum, J.J. McCarthy and freshman Zach Marshall are among a handful of others who have received them too.

But still, few have received praise like Jenkins.

"Captains, that's coming, we'll see what that vote yields," Harbaugh said. "But just so many to choose from that lead, attack and love football."

Battle for No. 2 CB opens with Amorion Walker banged up

Amorion Walker, the wide receiver-turned-defensive back who became the team's darling of the spring, is hurt.

Walker was seen on crutches entering team facilities last week and Harbaugh confirmed the sophomore was banged up Tuesday with an undisclosed lower body injury.

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“He’s working through something right now," Harbaugh said. "But we expect to have him back in four to five days.”

In the spring, when Harbaugh was asked if Walker (6-3, 180 pounds) — who ranked No. 12 on the aforementioned "freaks" list with Jenkins — would start opposite Will Johnson as the team's No. 2 cornerback, he said, "I predict that."

When asked in June about his status, Harbaugh said both Walker and UMass transfer Josh Wallace were considered "starting caliber." However Tuesday, Harbaugh added a few other names to the mix at the second corner spot, including fifth-year senior Mike Sainristil and Keeshaun Harris, calling them "the top guys."

Sainristil, a returning captain, set the precedent for Walker's shift from offense to defense. Even though he's in the mix on the outside, he excelled at nickel a season ago and Harbaugh made it clear where he'd prefer to see him line up to begin the season.

“He can play both (corner and nickel),” Harbaugh said. “I think we’re at our best if he’s at nickel.”

Contact Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @realtonygarcia.

For openers: Pirates

Matchup: Michigan (13-1 in 2022) vs. East Carolina (8-5 in 2022), season opener.

Kickoff: Noon Sept. 2; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.

TV/radio: Peacock (online only); WWJ-AM (950), WTKA-AM (1050).

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jim Harbaugh: 'I cannot' respond to NCAA's remark on suspension status