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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Michigan’s plans for its future secondary took a hit Saturday when a highly rated commitment chose an SEC destination instead.
Four-star safety Tavares Harrington flipped his commitment from Michigan to Ole Miss, according to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett. The Chicago Mount Carmel prospect had been committed to the Wolverines since May, giving head coach Kyle Whittingham another recruiting vacancy to address as the 2027 class approaches signing time.
“Shark business,” Harrington said in the announcement shared by Fawcett.
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Harrington’s departure removes a nationally ranked defensive prospect from Michigan’s recruiting class.
The Rivals Industry Rankings list him as the No. 151 overall player, No. 9 safety and No. 8 prospect in Illinois for the 2027 cycle. Those are the industry rankings, which differ from Rivals’ individual evaluations.
At 6-foot-3, Harrington offered Michigan options across the secondary. Maize n Brew reported that the Wolverines recruited him as a nickel/safety, making his departure more than the loss of a player projected for one specific role.
Ole Miss had remained involved throughout the process. The Rebels were among the original contenders when Harrington chose Michigan, and he visited Oxford the weekend of Nov. 7 before changing his commitment Saturday.
His decision follows a week in which Whittingham publicly emphasized communication with Michigan’s recruits after the dismissal of offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
“We got on the phone with every recruit last night,” Whittingham said Monday. “And they seemed to be very receptive and positive.”
Harrington’s announcement did not identify Beck’s dismissal as the reason for his decision. Still, the departure creates another challenge for a staff working to maintain its class through a period of change. Michigan Wolverines On SI reported that the Wolverines had 21 commitments following the flip.
Michigan retains several notable defensive back commitments. Four-star cornerbacks Blake Jenkins and Darius Johnson remain in the class, along with three-star safety Charles Woodson Jr., according to Maize n Brew. Harrington’s Mount Carmel teammate, four-star wide receiver Quentin Burrell, also remained committed to the Wolverines in that report.
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The Wolverines have experienced movement in both directions recently.
Offensive tackle Sidney Rouleau left the class and committed to Syracuse, while Michigan flipped offensive lineman Braden Chaffin from Stanford. Those developments show the class is still taking shape rather than moving exclusively in one direction.
Harrington’s exit nevertheless leaves a clear task for Whittingham’s staff.
Michigan must replace a top-10 safety prospect while convincing its remaining commitments that their future still belongs in Ann Arbor.
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