Jim Harbaugh can be very persuasive. Recruits all over America know that to be true.

But Harbaugh’s persuasive ways work on his current players, too. Last year, Harbaugh talked Jake Butt into staying at Michigan. A week ago, he pleaded for everyone to convince Maurice Hurst to stay for another year.

Apparently it worked.

Hurst announced on Wednesday that he’ll be coming back to Michigan for his fifth year:

Hurst actually made that decision before receiving feedback from the NFL draft advisory committee.

That’s huge news for Michigan, which will lose several defensive starters to the NFL this year. Hurst was one of the biggest underclassmen question marks for Michigan.

The defensive tackle was one of the key reasons the Wolverines were dominant up front in 2016. He had 9.5 tackles for loss — 3.5 of which were sacks — and a forced fumble.

Hurst did that despite the fact that he didn’t technically start in 2016. In 2017, he’ll likely play alongside the likes of Chase Winovich, former No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary and the promising Bryan Mone.

At the very least, it doesn’t appear that Michigan will suffer a drop-off in talent on its defensive line.