I think Newsome is a case where what is best for the individual is also best for the team. A red-shirt year for recovery is highly likely and pretty clearly in Newsome’s best interest. From the program side, given his talent and potential as a player, it is great if Newsome can return in 2018 with more strength, maturity, leadership and still have sophomore eligibility.
Pipkins offers a different example, where what is best for the player is not what is best for the team. As you said, we don’t have all the information, but to argue Michigan’s perspective you have to look past their self-interest and assume Pipkins was being reckless with his own health.
The fact that he played an entire season at another school and is signed to play for an NFL team indicates the argument that his football career was over due to medical issues was not truthful.
