Former Michigan DL Ondre Pipkins headed to Texas Tech

Ondre Pipkins is headed to the Big 12.

Pipkins, a former Michigan defensive lineman, told ESPN that he’ll play his final season of college football at Texas Tech in 2016 after sitting out the upcoming season due to NCAA transfer rules.

“I believe they have the best plan for me. Now it’s all about executing the plan,” Pipkins said of Texas Tech.

Pipkins told ESPN last month that Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, along with head athletic trainer Paul Schmidt and associate athletic director Jim Minick, asked him many times to sign a medical scholarship, which would have ended his career.

Pipkins tore the ACL in his left knee during the 2013 season, but returned to action in 2014, registering nine tackles in six games.

Pipkins said that doctors told informed him of arthritis in the knee, but said he should not be medically disqualified. However, Michigan later sent him to his knee surgeon, who recommended six months of rest.

If he had signed the medical scholarship at Michigan, Pipkins would have stayed on scholarship but would not have counted against the Wolverines’ 85-man scholarship limit.

Pipkins said he believed Michigan wanted to “free up the scholarship.” In a statement to ESPN, Harbaugh said, “after consulting with our medical team, we do not think it is in Ondre's best interest as it relates to his health and welfare to play football, short or long term.”

Harbaugh later reiterated that stance after an appearance at a Detroit Tigers game.

“We don't run off players,” Harbaugh said. “I'll speak for myself personally. When it comes to the health and safety of the players, that argument trumps all other arguments."

Overall in 24 games in parts of three seasons for the Wolverines, the 6-foot-3, 317-pound Pipkins registered 23 tackles and one tackle for loss.

For more Texas Tech news, visit RedRaiderSports.com.

For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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