The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/213966
prep profiles Top Defensive End Has Serious Interest In U-M College coaches coast to coast have made strongside defensive end Terry Beckner Jr. a priority, and for good reason — he's one of the most talented at his position in the Midwest, if not the country. Beckner Jr. shined at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour in June, where he was one of only a handful of rising juniors invited. He then spent the rest of the summer concentrating on his upcoming season rather than visiting schools' camps. That didn't prevent the offers from rolling in. Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State and Tennessee were among those joining Michigan in extending early. One school in particular — USC — could move to the top of his list if they choose to offer. In fact, USC was his "dream school" growing up, Beckner Jr. said. The standout has unofficially visited Missouri, but he put other trips on hold to concentrate on his season. Beckner Jr. received his Michigan offer over the summer. "I talked to the wide receivers coach, Coach [Jeff] Hecklinski," he said. "He was saying they like me as a player and to keep up the good work. Some coaches say I keep getting heavier so I could play tackle at the next level, but I'm not sure what Michigan wants. I don't have a preference — I just know I'm going to be playing defense." Beckner Jr. notched 77 tackles and five sacks during his junior year. He matched up well physically with seniors at the Five-Star Challenge, Rivals.com reported, but still has some work to do on his game. Terry Beckner Jr. ✪✪✪✪✪ East St. Louis High School East St. Louis, Ill. Class: 2015 Position: Defensive End Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 270 Rivals.com Rankings: Rivals 250 to watch list "He did not find as much room to operate as he did at an early Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour event in St. Louis," the website noted. "There were individual reps on which he flashed his brilliance; he just needed to find consistency." Beckner Jr. will have plenty of time to do that, and he's still a year away from a decision, too, and should pick up several more offers. "I am going to make my decision in my senior year after I take my official visits," he said. "Official visits will be one of the main things to see how I respond to the school, the facilities and most of all the education. I want to get a great education." — Chris Balas