Desmond Howard blasts NCAA investigation into Michigan sign-stealing: 'We call that scouting'

Desmond Howard is making his feelings known regarding the latest controversy that’s befallen the Michigan Wolverines.

Thursday morning, the Big Ten announced that the NCAA had launched an investigation into the Michigan football over allegations of sign stealing. The rule in question pertains to scouting future opponents in person, with the rule stipulating “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.”

According to Yahoo! Sports, the NCAA notified the Big Ten Conference that it was conducting an investigation into Michigan’s actions.

On Friday, the former Michigan Heisman winner turned ESPN analyst touched on the matter, explaining that he believes the allegations sound worse than they are, and that he’s interested to see where it all leads.

“My initial reaction was like what Heather [Dinich] just said, it was the headline was more salacious than the content. That’s what I thought,” Howard explained, via Get Up. “Then I had to educate myself. I mean, you have Bart Scott on the set, you have Mike Tannenbaum. We call that scouting. I didn’t even know that was a rule, that you couldn’t go and watch a team play, who you’re going to play against because there’s an NCAA rule. Like I had no idea. I’m like, ‘Does the NCAA think we’re back in the 70s, where we just exchange VHS tapes, and then that’s how you see your opponent?’ I was really blown away by that.

“But with that being said, [Jim] Harbaugh said he was surprised by the allegation. He said that they’ll cooperate fully. Warde Manuel, the Athletic Director, he echoed those sentiments. So we’ll see where it goes.”

Alas, there could be some punishment for the Wolverines, but it remains to be seen what’s found on the matter. Regardless, the aforementioned Harbaugh denied knowledge about that occurring and said he can’t comment about the situation, per NCAA rules.

“I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter,” Harbaugh said. “I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules.

“No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place.”

Time will tell if Michigan faces any punishment for the allegations, but the Wolverines have been among college football’s best over the past three seasons, so it would certainly be a shock to the system.