Michigan Recruiting Could Profit from Ongoing Scandals at Penn State, Ohio State

While most of the nation has been agonizing over the current child abuse scandal at Penn State, another bombshell has surfaced in Columbus. 

The NCAA has accused the Ohio State football program of "failing to monitor" a former booster, who employed several Buckeyes players.

The accusation was received by Ohio State on Nov. 3, but wasn't released to the press until Thursday (Nov. 10), the Columbus Dispatch reported. 

Ohio State is scheduled to meet with the NCAA Infractions Committee December 10, over the new allegations. The beleaguered program is still awaiting its fate over tattoo-gate, the tattoo-for-gear scandal which cost head coach Jim Tressel his job.

Where Michigan comes into play, is that Ohio State's first reaction was to cut five scholarships over the next three years.

Michigan has already received a commitment from 5-star offensive lineman Kyle Kalis, who decommitted from the Buckeyes in June.

The Wolverines are also in line for running back Bri'onte Dunn, who committed to Ohio State in September 2010, but has decided to take additional visits. "I'm still committed to Ohio State," Dunn told scout.com."The sanctions are coming up, so we'll see from there."  Dunn was a guest at Michigan's Big House Barbecue in May and plans an official visit soon.  

Michigan has also shown interest in 6'2" 180-lb cornerback Devan Bogard, a former high school teammate of Michigan freshman Frank Clark.

Before he committed to the Buckeyes in June, Bogard, spoke to gobluewolverine.com:

"I have spoken with Coach Mallory, the defensive backs coach," Bogard said. "He wants me to come up and visit the campus. I talked with Coach Greg Mattison the defensive coordinator and he has told me the same thing. Coach Mattison told me I remind him of my former teammate Frank Clark with the way I play."

Across the state line in Pennsylvania, Joey O'Connor, an offensive lineman from Colorado, was the first Penn State recruit lost to the ongoing sex scandal.

Without knowing who the next coach might be at Penn State, more players will be looking elsewhere.

In fact, the NCAA might get involved, and that could mean additional problems for the Nittany Lions.

"The NCAA will defer in the immediate term to law enforcement officials since this situation involved alleged crimes," NCAA President Mark Emmert said Thursday. "As the facts are established through the justice system, we will determine whether association bylaws have been violated and act accordingly."

Should the NCAA get involved, the atmosphere around Penn State could be unsettled for years. Even the mild practice-gate controversy at Michigan took 14 months to settle. And at Ohio State, now that they have been hit with another set of allegations, normalcy won't return soon.

Michigan is looking at a pair of recruits who also have had an interest in Penn State. Wide receiver Jordan Payton from California and running back Wes Brown of Maryland may indeed be leaning Michigan's way because of doings in unhappy valley. Brown, of course, is the teammate of wideout Stefon Diggs. Both are former high school teammates of Michigan freshman cornerback Blake Countess.