Ross Taylor-Douglas

Ross Taylor-Douglas transferred to Rutgers after three years at Michigan. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

(Duane Burleson)

Ross Taylor-Douglas is uniquely qualified to compare Rutgers coach Chris Ash and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

Taylor-Douglas played for Harbaugh last season at Michigan before announcing his decision to transfer to Rutgers to play for Ash in January.

"They run their programs very differently," Taylor-Douglas said before arriving at Rutgers in late May. "But it's all predicated on the same thing: It's all about winning on the field. But the programs are run very differently from what I've seen."

A four-star recruit out of Avon (Ohio) High, Taylor-Douglas was recruited to Michigan in 2013 by Harbaugh's predecessor, Brady Hoke. Taylor-Douglas redshirted in 2013 and then appeared in 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 2014. In his one season playing for Harbaugh, Taylor-Douglas had 10 carries for 18 yards as a backup running back.

After the 2015 season, Taylor-Douglas sat down with his family and decided that it was in his best interest to earn his degree this spring so he could become an immediately eligible graduate transfer. Taylor-Douglas said he wasn't pushed to transfer by Harbaugh.

"It was nothing like that," Taylor-Douglas said. "Coach Harbaugh is a great guy. He's very misunderstood from the outside world, but playing for him for a year, I think he's a great guy and he's a great coach and he's going to win games at Michigan."

Taylor-Douglas enrolled early at Michigan as a freshman, so he was able to earn his undergraduate degree in general studies in just 3-1/2 years.

"It's not easy, but academics are preached in my household," Taylor-Douglas said. "My mother is a dean at Case-Western Reserve University and my brother just graduated with a PhD from Howard. My mom was always on our behinds about academics from a young age."

As a rare graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining, Taylor-Douglas drew interest from a handful of Power 5 schools. He chose to play for Ash, who unsuccessfully recruited Taylor-Douglas out of high school while the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin.

"When he recruited me, he was very up-front and honest with me the whole time," Taylor-Douglas said. "We were constantly talking throughout the whole process. Coach Ash is very forthright. He's very meticulous. He does a great job of what he does and his track record really speaks for itself."

Taylor-Douglas spent the spring semester finishing classes at Michigan while an unexpected conflict between the Wolverines and Rutgers developed. Taylor-Douglas didn't pay much attention to the satellite camp drama and he wasn't uncomfortable being at Michigan while committed to Rutgers.

"I still lived with two of my teammates," Taylor-Douglas said. "I was just with them and getting classes done and working out. It wasn't weird at all. I was just finishing up with my business that I had to do at Michigan."

While Taylor-Douglas has no ill will toward Michigan, he is relishing the opportunity to play his former school in each of the next two seasons.

"That game is definitely circled on my calendar," Taylor-Douglas said. "But I think we have to play five games before we get there so I'm not really thinking about that right now. I'm thinking more about Washington on Sept. 3."

Taylor-Douglas has an idea of what to expect from the High Point Solutions Stadium crowd for that prime-time game against Michigan on Oct. 8. He was on the other side of the matchup in 2014 when Rutgers knocked off Michigan, 26-24, in front of a raucous crowd.

"It was incredible," Taylor-Douglas said. "I remember it was a night game, of course, and they ended up beating us. I just remember the crowd being so great. They came out in the all black uniforms and the crowd was really riled up. After they beat us, they rushed the field and I just saw all the passion of all the fans. I can't wait to play in front of them."

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Taylor-Douglas shouldn't have to wait long for an opportunity to play. He is moving back to his preferred spot at cornerback, which is a position in desperate need of reinforcements.

"That's what I wanted to play all along, but I was a two-time all-state running back my junior and senior years (of high school)," Taylor-Douglas said. "I ran for over 3,500 yards and 50 touchdowns in my career, so I was a good running back. I played corner in camp my freshman year, but after that they switched me to running back and that's what I've been playing ever since. But I always wanted to settle down at corner when I was in college, but they just wanted me to play offense."

After what he called a "long journey" to Rutgers, Taylor-Douglas doesn't plan to waste any time now that he's arrived.

"I have a high belief in myself as a player that I can come in and contribute right away," Taylor-Douglas said. "But it's easier said than done. I've got to go in there and earn it every day and earn my teammates' trust and earn Coach Ash's trust."

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.