Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh could have a unique advantage in the 2025 NFL Draft. Not only did he try to recruit many of the prospects in the upcoming class, but he coached some of them with the Michigan Wolverines.
Harbaugh suggested to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that the Chargers won’t shy away from drafting Michigan prospects, but they also won’t favor Wolverines players either.
Chargers, Jim Harbaugh Set To Target ‘Competitors’
Harbaugh grew up a Michigan fan and then lived out his dream of playing and coaching for the Wolverines. It would only be natural for him to be a little biased toward his alma mater.
But Harbaugh implied he doesn’t care if the players his NFL team drafts are from Michigan or another school — or even a different country. He wants prospects who are going to improve the Chargers roster.
“Competitors are welcome at the Los Angeles Chargers, and they come from anywhere, they can come from any team, any state, any country,” Harbaugh told RG’s DJ Siddiqi. “Competitors welcomed here.”
“The mindset, the philosophy is, just build, build, build, get better,” Harbaugh added. “That’s the goal, that’s the mindset. You just go about it and attack it.”
The Chargers won six more games in 2024 during Harbaugh’s first season than they did in 2023. Quarterback Justin Herbert experienced a strong season, posting a league-leading 0.6% interception rate. Herbert finished the 2024 regular season ranked 14th in the PFSN’s QB+ metric with a C+ grade overall.
#Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on doing "anything and everything" that he can to bring it to Justin Herbert's level entering the 2025 season. Los Angeles will look to build on their 11-6 season in 2024. pic.twitter.com/azCalnlW7G
— DJ Siddiqi (@DJSiddiqi) February 27, 2025
Based on Herbert’s talent, though, more is expected of him and thus the Chargers under Harbaugh going forward.
“Herbert’s season-long numbers are mostly underwhelming for a player of his natural talent,” PSN’s Ben Rolfe wrote. “He’s not in the top 10 in many statistics, ranking second in TD/INT rate (7.7), having thrown just three interceptions. He ranks 11th in nYPA (7.2) and 12th in overall EPA/DB (0.10) and crept just into the top 10 when operating from a clean pocket (0.3 EPA/DB).”
Harbaugh Thrilled Michigan Is Poised To Make Draft History
Just because Harbaugh won’t go out of his way to target Michigan players doesn’t mean he isn’t excited about the draft potential of his former players. Harbaugh pointed out that the Wolverines could make history in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Super excited, I mean those are beloved sons you’re talking about, the Michigan guys, because I’ve coached them,” Harbaugh said.
“There could be four, could be five first-rounders, and being a Michigan historian myself a little bit, played there, grew up a Michigan fan, I think three is the most first-rounders Michigan’s ever had. That’s cool.
“This year it could be four, maybe even five. That’s exciting.”
READ MORE: ‘One of the Greatest QBs of All-Time’ — Harbaugh Sends Bold Message About QB Justin Herbert
Michigan has had three players off the board in the first round of the NFL Draft two previous times. The most recent occasion was in 2001 when wide receiver David Terrell, guard Steven Hutchinson, and tackle Jeff Backus were all first-rounders. In 1995, Michigan saw running back Tyrone Wheatley, defensive back Ty Law, and tackle Trezelle Jenkins get drafted in the first round.
In PFSN’s most recent 2025 NFL mock draft, Marco Enriquez predicted four Michigan players to be drafted in the first round.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham and defensive back Will Johnson were both top-10 selections in Enriquez’s mock draft. Graham went No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars while Johnson was off the board to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9. Enriquez also projected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 14 and defensive lineman Kenneth Grant to the Houston Texans at No. 25.
