NCAA officials already on UM campus due to 'priority' nature of sign-stealing investigation, per report

NCAA officials have not wasted any time getting to Ann Arbor, according to the latest report from ESPN.

Pete Thamel with ESPN updated the latest on the sign-stealing investigation into Michigan with a Thursday report. According to Thamel’s latest, NCAA enforcement staff has been at the university this week looking into the investigation.

The arrival of enforcement a week removed from the formal launch of the investigation speaks to the “priority the case has taken” per Thamel’s ESPN sources.

Thamel also reported that the NCAA has started searching the electronics of Michigan football staff members, an item previously reported by the Detroit News. The NCAA was originally interested in the computer of analyst Connor Stalions but the scope of the NCAA’s interest as apparently expanded per Thamel.

Sources: NCAA enforcement staff have been at the University of Michigan this week to look into the sign-stealing probe. Their arrival on campus just a week after the investigation formally launched is an indication of the priority the case has taken. https://t.co/usl3TmJ3SP

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 26, 2023

As already discussed elsewhere, Thamel pointed out the timeline of traditional NCAA investigations means a decision from the NCAA is not likely by the end of the regular season or the start of the 2024 season. Any action this season would have to come from the Big Ten, but it is unclear if commissioner Tony Petitti will exercise the authority he has from the league’s sportsmanship policy.