Pipkins to leave UM football

Detroit Free Press

Michigan senior defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins will be leaving the program, he confirmed on Instagram.

Following an espn.com interview in which he said Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh told him repeatedly to sign a medical scholarship waiver to end his career, his departure commentary was more about what he appreciated at Michigan.

But Harbaugh’s name was a notable omission.

“It’s been a tough past couple of months for me and it is true that I will be looking to play my last year of eligibility at another school,” he wrote. “I want to thank Coach (Brady) Hoke. for recruiting me to play at the University of Michigan. I wanted nothing more than to just be (hashtag)Great at playing for the Maize and Blue.”

In Joe Schad’s report, Pipkins said he was approached at least 10 times since Harbaugh took over and asked to be shifted to a medical scholarship, which would end his football career. He played last season after returning from an ACL tear he suffered in October 2013.

Pipkins also was hospitalized during 2012 fall practice, after suffering a neck injury. He was released from the hospital and returned later that fall.

“I feel I’m healthy and ready to play,” Pipkins said, adding that associate athletic director for football Jim Minick and head athletic trainer Paul Schmidt also pushed for him to sign the form. “I don’t want to sign the form. I wanted to play for my seniors and for the team. Coach Harbaugh said, ‘I recommend you take the medical.’ ”

The story said Harbaugh did not invite him to fall camp. Pipkins participated in the spring until suffering a concussion, which eventually was cleared.