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The last time Michigan wore alternate uniforms was during a home win over Penn State in 2014.

(Patrick Record | MLive)

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Alternate football uniforms are coming back to Michigan.

At least once this year anyway.

Jim Harbaugh confirmed as much Friday during a conversation with reporters at a satellite camp at John Carroll University in Ohio.

"We talked about it (with Nike) and when we first signed up with Nike we said that's something we'd be interested in, they were interested in it. It's been designed," Harbaugh said. "(They'll be used) at least once this year. I don't know, I think some people like the element of surprise. I don't know if I'm at liberty to say which game.

"But I know which game it's going to be. I don't want to steal someone else's thunder."

Not counting Harbaugh's tweak to all-white road uniforms, Michigan has not worn an alternate jersey since a home win over Penn State in Brady Hoke's final season of 2014.

Alternate uniforms were a common occurrence during the Hoke-Dave Brandon era, as the team wore multiple combinations of throwbacks and specialty jerseys from 2011-14 -- when Michigan was under an apparel contract with Adidas.

Some of those designs were embraced by fans, others were criticized.

Harbaugh said he helped design the next installment of Michigan's alternate uniform with Nike, though -- again -- he's trying not to give away too many details.

"It's going to happen," he said. "But, hey, we're partners there with Nike and they've put a lot of work into this so I won't announce it right now.

"You're not going to get anything more out of me on that."

The only thing Harbaugh would say is that he hopes fans will enjoy the design.

And he's confident they will.

"Our fan base has supported us most of the time," Harbaugh said with a smile. "I think we'll have that again."