Latest findings related to Michigan sign-stealing scandal may disprove lone wolf defense

Nearly a year after the Michigan sign-stealing scandal rocked the college football world, newly released findings may prove that higher-ups were much more involved than the program let on.

According to an NCAA notice of allegations draft obtained by Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel of ESPN, Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore deleted a "thread of 52 text messages" with former staff member Connor Stalions, the alleged scheme's ringleader.

The report says Moore did this on the same day news of the scandal broke in October.

Moore ultimately handed over the text messages after "device imaging" recovered them. However, it's unclear whether cooperation came after authorities uncovered the messages.

Either way, it's not the best look for Michigan or Moore, who was also involved in the COVID-19 recruiting violations found against the program in 2023.

Stalions reportedly led the sign-stealing operation, which included recruiting people to record play calling signals from the stands during conference opponents' games. Also, evidence in the draft proves that Stalions, as alleged , was on the opposing sidelines in "disguise" for rival Michigan State's 2023 opener.

No evidence links Jim Harbaugh to the scheme or Stalions. However, the former Wolverines head coach, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, refused to let the NCAA review his cellphone records during the investigation, which, while within his rights, certainly raises alarms.

Initially, Michigan's defense against the allegations was that Stalions, a low-level staff member, mostly acted on his own accord. However, after Harbaugh's retreat to the NFL, the firing of former linebacker's coach Chris Patridge and the latest revelations potentially implicating Moore, that argument is holding less and less water.

Likewise, "investigators also allege that multiple team interns and at least one other full-time team employee knew about the scheme and participated in it."

The details provided are merely a draft and subject to change. That means it's still uncertain how the allegations will impact Michigan or Moore, who is now in repeat-offender territory, facing a possible suspension or worse.