Former Michigan DL Ondre Pipkins Will Transfer to Texas Tech

A former Michigan defensive lineman who grabbed national attention during his departure from Ann Arbor will now finish up his college career in the Big 12 with Texas Tech.

Ondre Pipkins is transferring to Texas Tech and will play his senior season in 2016. The news was first reported by ESPN.com's Joe Schad.

Pipkins tweeted a photo in which he is holding up a Texas Tech jersey next to Red Raiders defensive line coach Mike Smith on Friday afternoon:

"I believe they have the best plan for me," Pipkins told Schad. "Now it's all about executing the plan."

Pipkins told Schad in June that first-year Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and several members of the Wolverines' program pressured him to retire from football.

The 6'3", 305-pound former 4-star recruit tore his ACL against Minnesota in October 2013 but was able to play for the Wolverines last season, recording nine tackles in five games. He also battled concussions during his Michigan tenure.

Pipkins said the Michigan staff asked him 10 times over a two-month period to sign a medical scholarship form that would've ended his playing career.

Pipkins has been diagnosed with arthritis in his knee, but he told Schad doctors originally said it wouldn't threaten his playing career.

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Harbaugh later responded to Pipkins' claims, telling reporters, "We don't run off players."

"I'll speak for myself personally," Harbaugh told MLive.com's Nick Baumgardner. "When it comes to the health and safety of the players, that argument trumps all other arguments." 

The Michigan head coach also denied giving Pipkins a deadline of July 1 to sign the scholarship form.

Pipkins, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, is now heading to Big 12 country after recording 24 tackles in 24 games at Michigan.

According to 247Sports' Daniel Paulling, the Red Raiders will need some immediate help at defensive line next season, and Pipkins would have a great chance to become a starter when he becomes eligible.

"Demetrius Alston, Brandon Jackson, Keland McElrath, Rika Levi, Donte Phillips and Marcus Smith will be completing their final season of eligibility this fall, which would be a huge loss of talent and depth," Paulling wrote Thursday.

Recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is an on-call college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.