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Michigan’s Florida-based spring practice opened this morning

After weeks of hand-wringing and subtweets, Michigan officially opened its spring practice Monday morning at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

With temperatures just above freezing in Ann Arbor -- and three to five inches of snow on the way Tuesday -- here’s the setting in which Michigan is practicing for the next week:

Spring practice is underway!! Brandon Peters and Alex Malzone getting loose. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/QNETREFzfy

— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) February 29, 2016


Moe Ways working on a cone drill. pic.twitter.com/FFfImoh0gf

— Michigan Football (@umichfootball) February 29, 2016


//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsDespite concerns from NCAA president Mark Emmert,
ACC commissioner John Swofford and just about every member of the SEC, Harbaugh sailed his Wolverine pirate ship to Florida this week. It’s a nice perk for players to trade the chilly, snowy town of Ann Arbor for Bradenton’s sunshine and warm weather, but most importantly, this is a tactical recruiting move by Harbaugh.

Two of Rivals’ top 10 recruits in the class of 2017 attend IMG Academy, and one -- defensive end John Kaindoh -- has a scholarship offer from Michigan (the other, linebacker Dylan Moses, has whittled his choices to five schools, per Rivals.com). In fact, there are six players in the Rivals100 who attend IMG Academy. Michigan has offers out to four-star linebacker Will Ignont, four-star offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, four-star safety Isaiah Pryor (who’s verbally committed to Ohio State) and four-star linebacker Jordan Anthony.

If any of those players, or others in the Florida region, want to attend one of Michigan’s spring practices this week, they can -- but only on Friday.

Attn PSA’s: Due to NCAA rules, recruits are unable to attend U of M FB practice M-Th in Florida. All are welcome to Fri open practice.

— Michigan Compliance (@umichcompliance) February 26, 2016

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsJim Harbaugh, while he’s not coaching his players or sending not-so-cryptic tweets directed at those who don’t like his team practicing in Florida, will moonlight as a first base coach for the Detroit Tigers and, possibly, Pittsburgh Pirates this week, too.