NCAA investigating Michigan for alleged sign-stealing rule violations

The NCAA is investigating Michigan for allegations of sign stealing, the Big Ten announced Thursday.

The conference said it had informed Michigan State, the Wolverines' opponent this week, and other future opponents of the probe, adding that it "considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation."

Michigan is accused of using unnamed individuals to attend games of scheduled opponents and other potential College Football Playoff contenders to steal the signs used to relay play calls to both offensive and defensive units, sources told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel.

Two of its opponents this season told Yahoo Sports that they knew Michigan had their play signs.

Michigan has used an "elaborate" scouting system to steal signals from future opponents since at least 2021, a source told ESPN's Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach.

Connor Stalions, a Michigan football analyst and a retired United States Marine Corps captain, is reportedly at the center of the NCAA's investigation. The NCAA sought access to Stalions' computer due to his alleged level of involvement in the operation.

The school suspended Stalions, with pay, pending the conclusion of the NCAA's probe, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced Friday, according to Thamel.

"The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and NCAA. The investigation is ongoing and will not impact Saturday's game," Michigan said in a statement, according to Zack Shaw of 247Sports. "At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community."

Head coach Jim Harbaugh denied having any knowledge or awareness about the alleged sign stealing, but he reiterated that he and his staff will "fully cooperate" with the investigation.

"I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment," Harbaugh said in a statement. "I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action."

Although in-person scouting of opponents was banned in 1994, sign stealing isn't prohibited.

The Wolverines sit at No. 2 in the AP Top 25 after starting the season 7-0.

Michigan has already drawn the NCAA's ire this season for Level II recruiting violations.

The school imposed a three-game suspension on head coach Jim Harbaugh for the alleged breaches - which included Harbaugh meeting with recruits during the COVID-19 dead period - after the NCAA's Committee on Infractions rejected the school's proposed four-game suspension earlier in August.