ANN ARBOR -- Larry Prout Jr. has been beating all odds since the moment he was born.

And now, he's officially a member of Michigan's football family.

Prout, a 15-year-old from Howell, was born with spina bifida, choacal extrophy, massive omphalocele, short gut syndrome and several other illnesses that have resulted in more than 90 surgeries during his young life.

He's battled through every one of those surgeries and served as a symbol of inspiration, strength and perseverance for his entire family and basically anyone who has come in contact with him during his life.

On Tuesday, Jim Harbaugh, quarterback John O'Korn, running back De'Veon Smith and a host of other Michigan football players welcomed Prout to the Wolverines during Team IMPACT's "Draft Day" ceremony.

"I've listened to many speeches made by theMichigan football staff and professors," Prout said Tuesday. "Mr. Jack Harbaugh made a great speech on why any recruit should come to the University of Michigan. He used three of coach Bo Schembechler's words. He said it's because of the team, the team, the team.

"My team and world has been the Univerity of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's hospital since the day I was born. ... (I want to thank everyone) for giving me this chance ... Go blue."

Team IMPACT -- a Boston-based non-profit organization -- has a mission to "improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team."

Harbaugh and several Michigan players have been involved with the organization since Harbaugh took over the football program nearly two years ago.

Through the