Jim Harbaugh Shouldn't Be Judged on 2015 Michigan Recruiting Class

The strength of Michigan's recruiting class hinges on national signing day far more heavily than almost any other program in the nation. 

No matter what happens, though, new head coach Jim Harbaugh is in the clear. 

Currently ranked dead last in the Big Ten and 64th in the country, per 247Sports' composite rankings, the Wolverines' 2015 class features just 10 commitments and is clearly feeling the effects of a 5-7 season and late December coaching change. 

But there is hope, as Harbaugh has a collection of talented targets heading into Wednesday's signing deadline. Cornerback Iman Marshall (No. 4 overall), linebacker Roquan Smith (No. 47), tight end Chris Clark (No. 85) and tight end/defensive end Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (No. 312) all have the Wolverines among their final few.

Moreover, Harbaugh hasn't been shy about pursuing committed prospects. He has already gotten three players to flip toward the Blue and Gold, and Ohio State's Michael Weber (No. 78) and Ole Miss' Van Jefferson (No. 108) are candidates to do the same:

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Harbaugh making big push for Mike Weber, Wilcher says: "Harbaugh has been calling Weber since he got here," Wi... http://t.co/4pekehBUm2

— DetroitNews U-M (@detnewsUM) January 28, 2015"

This feels like a boom-or-bust class for the Wolverines. They could finish with the program's most underwhelming class in the past decade, but if they land a handful of the above names, it's suddenly a group brimming with talent. 

Combine those high stakes with Michigan's recent struggles and the sky-high expectations surrounding Harbaugh, and there is going to be disappointment if the Wolverines don't have a banner day on Wednesday. 

But while some will claim there should be no such thing as a free pass at this level of competition, none of the blame should fall upon Harbaugh, who has only had a month to build this class. 

ESPN's Tom Luginbill, via the Detroit Free Press' Mark Snyder, put it simply:

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If they didn't sign another guy from what they have right now—that's not how it will work—but if they didn't, it wouldn't be any different than who they do sign on Signing Day, because it's going to be a little drop in the bucket compared to the bigger picture.

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Many will point to Harbaugh's new rival, Urban Meyer, who was hired in November 2011 and still built the fifth-best class in the country. Or even Rich Rodriguez, whose first class at Michigan (after being hired in December) ranked 11th. 

But those are exceptions. Harbaugh inherited a whopping six recruits from Brady Hoke and was still coaching an NFL game just 38 days ago. Contrast that with Meyer, who had a year off (and was hired over a month early), and Rodriguez, who came over from West Virginia and was already tapped into the collegiate pipeline.

There was only so much the new Wolverines coach was going to be able to do. 

The fact Harbaugh, in so little time, is close on several of the country's top prospects, is an encouraging sign for the future—not a reason to criticize him if he doesn't land the signatures.