Cass Tech OL/DL Michael Onwenu verbally commits to Michigan

Late Tuesday night Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh added a key fixture to his 2016 recruiting securing a verbal commitment from Cass Tech offensive lineman/defensive lineman Michael Onwenu.

Onwenu, listed at 6’3”, 364 pounds, is a devastating two-way player for the Detroit area high school lining up at offensive guard and defensive tackle. At the end of his junior season the prized recruit had earned All-State, All-City, and All-County honors. In 2014 the 4-star junior helped the Technicians to a 12-1 record earning scholarship offers from Alabama, Illinois, Miami, N.C. State, Ohio State, and Penn State.

Before verbally committing, Onwenu took several unofficial visits going to Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Michigan landed the in-state target over surging interest from schools like Oregon, Michigan State, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

Coach Harbaugh’s relationship proved to be the difference in earning Onwenu’s commitment. In a previous RNG interview Onwenu stated, “Before Harbaugh came in I was not high on them (Michigan). Right now Harbaugh is making me feel like a priority and a special player.”

Michigan’s 2015 recruiting class was abbreviated after Harbaugh was announced the team’s new head coach in late December 2014. In total 14 players were signed to his first recruiting class, three of which were offensive linemen putting a greater emphasis on landing “can’t miss” recruits for the 2016 class.

The Wolverines have seven verbal commitments to their 2016 class pulling three from within the state while landing recruits from Alabama, Maryland, Indiana, and Illinois. Onwenu is the second offensive lineman added joining Downers Grove South’s Erik Swenson.

Michigan Wolverines 2016 Verbal Commitment List

RB Kingston Davis, 6’0”, 242 lbs, Prattville HS, Prattville, Alabama

RB Matt Falcon, 6’1”, 210 lbs, Southfield HS, Southfield, Michigan

LB Dele’ Harding, 6’1”, 232 lbs, Eastern Christian Academy, Elkton, Maryland

OL Michael Onwenu, 6’3”, 364 lbs, Cass Tech, Detroit, Michigan

OL Erik Swenson, 6’5”, 300 lbs, Downers Grove South, Downers Grove, Illinois

QB Brandon Peters, 6’4”, 195 lbs, Avon HS, Avon, Indiana

LB David Reese, 6’1”, 238 lbs, Farmington HS, Farmington, Michigan

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: scout.com; Michael Onwenu on the PSU sidelines.