Did Joe Burrow nearly decommit from Ohio State after his first encounter with Jim Harbaugh?

Joe Burrow and the Bengals will face Jim Harbaugh's Chargers this week to keep their playoff hopes alive following 4-6 start.

Did Joe Burrow nearly decommit from Ohio State after his first encounter with Jim Harbaugh?

Joe Burrow and Jim Harbaugh (Image via IMAGO)

Joe Burrow rarely speaks about his three-year stint with Ohio State in college, as his exploits with the LSU Tigers pushed that chapter into a corner. However, a surprising recent revelation sheds more light on his initial days with the Buckeyes.

As the Bengals prepare to play the Los Angeles Chargers in week eleven, Burrow disclosed his relationship with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, which according to him started back a few months after becoming a Buckeye. Harbaugh had just taken over the head coaching job at Ohio State’s big rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, and he wanted Burrow at Ann Arbor.

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He [Jim Harbaugh] recruited me a little bit out of high school. So, I have kind of a relationship with him 10 years ago, I guess. He seems to win everywhere he goes, and he is an intense guy that it seems like guys like to play for, so credit to him for the job he’s done.

Joe Burrow said during Wednesday’s press conference. (HT/Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media)
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Why didn’t Joe Burrow join Jim Harbaugh at Michigan?

The reporters wanted Burrow to elaborate on the matter further. It’s something hardly anyone outside of the Ohio State and Michigan facilities has heard about before, so they were curious to hear the reason behind Burrow turning Harbaugh down.

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Well, here’s my thought process. He had just got the job at Michigan, that January. I had been committed to Ohio State for five or six months at that point. So, I think the coach was trying to make a big splash, trying to flip the Ohio State quarterback commit. I am not entirely sure he knew who I was or what I can do at that point, and I think he was just trying to make a little splash there.

Joe Burrow said.
Did Joe Burrow nearly decommit from Ohio State after his first encounter with Jim Harbaugh 
Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

Burrow graduated as a four-star recruit from high school before committing to Ohio State in 2015. He primarily played backup to JT Barrett for three years and completed graduation. As per the NCAA rules, he was eligible to enter the transfer portal—joining LSU, where he played two seasons, winning the CFP Championship and the Heisman Trophy in 2019—before the Bengals selected him as the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Since then, Burrow became the only quarterback to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC title game, reaching the Super Bowl in 2021. He has a record of 33-28-1, completing 1534 passes for 16,755 yards for 121 touchdowns and 41 interceptions, along with 11 rushing touchdowns.

Burrow’s Bengals (4-6) will play Harbaugh’s Chargers (6-3) on Monday. According to USA Today Sports, the Chargers are favorites to secure a win.