Is U-M recruiting still transformational, not transactional? Sherrone Moore responds
There have been multiple reports that Michigan has made a huge offer to Belleville (Mich.) quarterback Bryce Underwood to flip his commitment, and it’s clear Sherrone Moore and Co. have been trying. That’s a huge switch from the Wolverines’ “transformational, not transactional” approach under previous head coach Jim Harbaugh.
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Even athletic director Warde Manuel was on board with that, telling reporters Michigan wasn’t going to “buy players” after announcing Moore’s hiring.
Noble as it was, it didn’t seem realistic at the time that U-M could continue its success by not throwing a hat in the ring for some of the nation’s top prospects. While many pointed to the talent on the team last year — guys like Will Johnson, Mason Graham, J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, etc., of examples of top talent — those guys were brought in before “legal” pay for play really kicked in. It’s clear now college football has become a free-for-all. While you can still recruit kids who share your vision and love your school, there’s still going to be a price tag attached.
“It’s part of football now, right?” Moore said when asked how support from donors was shaping his current recruiting strategy. “NIL is part of recruiting, so it’s been a huge piece of it. We’re just continuing to strive to get the best players that fit us and the best players we can, and we’re getting the support we need to do that.”
But what of the transformational vs. transactional aspect? For one, that was Harbaugh’s approach, and the assistants — including Moore — had to follow it whether they wanted to or not. It might have been more successful if U-M had had a plan in place (salaries at each position, etc.), but they were not prepared for the change.
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Now, they’re scrambling to catch up, but they’re making strides. However, they’re still not just looking for players “looking for a bag,” but also good fits for the program. There are still plenty of them out there, and Moore said there’s still that element in recruiting.
“[Transactional] is just a part of it, because that’s just a part of college football and recruiting now,” Moore continued. “You still have to have the attitude that you want to come to Michigan to be transformed into something bigger than just yourself. For us, it’s that the support you get from the boosters isn’t just financial. It’s putting [them] in position, whether it’s internships or different things, to make sure you have a goal you want to [accomplish].
“Football is not here forever. What can we do to help you accomplish that goal? That support is a big piece of it, too.”
It’s clear, though, that the money is as big as any factor for most, and often a starting point. If that’s equal, then the sell beyond that — what Michigan provides after football — can be the tiebreaker. U-M higher-ups seem to be on-board now … we’ll see what it means on the recruiting trail, but there are positive signs that it’s headed in the right direction.
