ADDISON, Ill. -- Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech offensive guard Michael Onwenu is one of the top prospects at his position in the country and made his way down to the Chicago area on Sunday to show out at the Nike Opening Regional Chicago.
Top-10 OG Michael Onwenu’s recruitment could be Michigan-Ohio State battle
Official visits during the fall could help create separation between the contenders for the two-way player.
Prior to the event, SB Nation Recruiting caught up with the consensus four-star prospect to discuss his recruitment.
“I’m open to everybody right now,” Onwenu said.
So there’s no group of top schools for him, but his recent visits and childhood ties provide some perspective on the schools he’s currently considering, including a trip to Penn State.
“It’s a nice program that is in the process of rebuilding, but I could see myself playing there because Coach Franklin wants players to earn their degrees before they go to the NFL.”
Onwenu also traveled to Columbus for Ohio State’s Fan Appreciation Day and was able to see the team practice.
“It was hype,” he said. “I hung out with their offensive linemen and defensive linemen.”
Onwenu plays both ways in high school and spent some time at defensive tackle on Sunday, the position at which the Buckeyes are recruiting him.
When he gets closer to making a decision, the Ohio State win over Oregon in the National Championship Game in January could play a role.
“It shows that they’re a winning program and know what it takes to be the champions.”
The 6’3, 365-pounder catches up with the Ohio State coaches every two or three days, but Michigan is the school recruiting him the hardest.
Half of his family are Michigan fans and the other half are Michigan State fans. But it likely won’t come down to a decision between those school unless the Spartans offer, which has not yet happened, even though Onwenu visited East Lansing in early April.
“I feel like they’re going upward and have a great season ahead of them,” he said.
Onwenu doesn’t currently have any visits set, but is still looking for an offer from Oregon.
Nominated for the 2016 US Army All-American Bowl, he could make his decision in San Antonio and plans to all five of his official visits during the fall.
