The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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dreams of continuing to play in col- lege, he and his family hatched a plan that would help him reach that goal. His father, Bobby, got in touch with renowned quarterback guru Steve Clarkson, who operates his Dream- Maker camps out of Pasadena, Calif. Wilton would stay an extra academic year at Collegiate — graduating in 2014, instead of 2013 — and train with Clarkson to become a more polished quarterback and better college pros- pect. "I re-classed to the 2014 class," Spei- ght explained. "That December after the season, my dad got my film in front of Steve. Steve said he would look at it, and I went out the next week to work with him. That's turned into two and a half years of a good relationship. He's changed my game completely for the better." While Speight's decision turned out to be the best for him athletically and academically — he became the first student at Collegiate to graduate a se- mester early in order to join a college football team — it was hard on him socially. He attended The Collegiate School from the age of 5, and while the rest of his friends who had been with him for 13 years went on to col- lege, he stayed one more fall to finish his football career. "It was tough to see all my friends that I've been with since kindergar- ten go to college," Speight explained. "But it was what I had to do in order to help accomplish what I want to for the rest of my life, or as long as I can — play football. "Initially, I thought that I was going to have an entire school year in high school when they were all in college, but once my school made the deci- sion that they were going to let me leave after first semester, it became a lot easier. "Seeing them graduate was pretty tough, but I just had to tell myself it was football season, it was another semester to make sure I left a positive mark on the school, and left the com- munity with nothing but good rela- tionships with teachers and people in the school." While Speight was getting some college attention before re-classify- ing, staying one more year in school helped the interest from big-time programs blossom. Michigan came calling during the winter of his sec- ond junior year, and built a bond with Palyo and Speight. U-M wide receiv- ers coach Jeff Hecklinski — himself a college quarterback at Illinois and Western Illinois — evaluated Speight in person and offered just a few days later. "Certainly just in the normal pro- cess of recruiting, sometimes it's hard to tell what these guys are looking for," Palyo said with a chuckle. "I recall my conversation with Coach Hecklinski, and I was like 'That is an up-front and honest conversation, just about the best one I've ever had with a college recruiter.' They followed through on everything he communi- cated with me that morning, and that was something I greatly appreciated." For Speight, who also ultimately picked up offers from N.C. State and Miami, among several others, the Michigan choice was easy once it be- came available.