The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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michigan recruiting Malik McDowell Taking It Easy Southfield (Mich.) High defensive end Malik McDowell may not be close to making his college decision, but repeated visits to Ann Arbor in‑ dicate that the local product is high on Michigan. McDowell unofficially visited for several games last fall, re‑ turned for the spring game in April, and made it to the Barbecue at The Big House recruiting event in July. McDowell started his fall visit tour with a trip down the road once more, taking in Michigan's Under The Lights II game against Notre Dame. Five more visits are on deck, though he'll wait until after his high school season ends and see those schools on his five allotted officials. Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU and USC are the lucky five programs that will have a chance to host McDowell before he makes his commitment on television at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jan. 4 in San Antonio. The schedule will be tight, depending on how deep his Southfield team makes it in the play‑ offs, but he's hoping to see all of the schools. While McDowell's official visits are to schools around the country, it seems more likely that his eventual college choice is close to home. His family is based in Southeast Michi‑ gan, and many of its members are big Michigan fans. The whole McDow‑ ell clan (and that of his mother, Joya Crowe) left the Barbecue at The Big House impressed not just with the McDowell, a defensive end from Southfield (Mich.) High, is taking official visits to Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU and USC, but it is believed that Michigan could be his sentimental favorite due to its good academics and proximity to home. photo by lon horwedel football program in Ann Arbor, but the academic offerings of the univer‑ sity. That bodes well for U‑M's chances to land the 6-6, 290-pounder. The sen‑ timental favorite with good academics and proximity to home is often unbeat‑ able. Should U-M eventually secure his commitment, he'd be another impor‑ tant piece in the arsenal of defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. McDow‑ ell's combination of size and athleti‑ cism give him the versatility to line up at end or tackle at the next level, and become an impact player at either spot. That has earned him a ranking as the No. 40 overall player and No. 4 strongside defensive end in the na‑ tion.