The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
PREP PROFILES Rivals.com lists Detroit Cass Tech standout Michael Onwenu as a four- star defensive tackle prospect and ranks him as the No. 147 overall player in the 2016 class. However, he might not even play defense in college. The 6-2, 320-pound Onwenu is powerfully built and uses his mas- sive lower body to his advantage whether its driving back defenders while opening up running lanes or reeking havoc in the backfield as an interior defensive lineman. His exact position at the next level isn't solidi- fied yet, but whichever side of the ball it's on he'll be effective. "Onwenu is a two-way starter for Cass Tech and primarily lines up at left guard on offense and nose tackle on defense," Rivals.com Midwest recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt said. "Physically, Onwenu is better suited for the defensive line, but in the past we have actually seen him perform better on offense. He holds his ground on offense and is a solid blocker. "Defensively he doesn't always get a good jump on the snap, but he holds his ground and makes it difficult for teams to run through the middle." Cass Tech routinely pumps out Di- vision I talent, and traditionally has sent a lot of those players to U-M. In addition, Onwenu's head coach, Thomas Wilcher, is a former Wol- verine football player, and The Big House is less than an hour away from where Onwenu lives. Finally, the main player that Onwenu paves the way for at Cass Tech is U-M running back commit Mike Weber. All of those things make it seem like Ann Arbor could be Owenu's fu- ture home, but there are some other influences as well. Former Cass Tech star cornerback Damon Webb is a freshman at Ohio State. Onwenu's offensive linemate, Joshua Alabi, is committed to the Buckeyes as well and is always in his ear. Onwenu isn't in a hurry to say he's leaning one way or another. "I'm going to wait until my senior year to commit, so I'm not in a rush," said Onwenu, who visited Michigan during the summer. "I just have to make sure my family feels comfort- able enough with a school. I have to make sure I feel like the school will allow me to flourish and allow me to play to the best of my abilities." — Brandon Brown Cass Tech Lineman Is A Force On Both Sides Of The Ball ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Cass Tech High School Detroit Class: 2016 Position: Defensive Tackle Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 320 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 2 player in Michigan, No. 15 defensive tackle na- tionally and No. 147 overall player in the country Michael Onwenu