The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641955
2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE in quarterback Brandon Peters, wide receiver Dylan Crawford, and corner- backs Lavert Hill and David Long. Though his massive girth — at 6-3, he tips the scales at a whopping 350 pounds — has led some analysts pro- jecting him to end up on the defensive line, Onwenu has shown time and again he has the skill set to remain on his preferred side of the ball. He solidified that at the Army game, pav- ing the way for 5.2 yards per carry for the West running backs and anchoring a line that did not allow a single sack. "The big guard put in solid work in San Antonio," Rivals.com Mid-South recruiting analyst Jason Howell said. "His strong initial punch knocked more than a few defensive linemen off track, and he was able to anchor down and stand up some of the best defensive linemen there." Onwenu's final couple teams at Cass Tech didn't live up to the expec- tations for the program — after being part of a state title squad as a fresh- man, his next two teams didn't even make the championship game and the Technicians fell to Romeo for the Divi- sion-1 crown when he was a senior — but he certainly did all he could. He started every game at offensive tackle in his final three years on campus and also made several cameo appearances as a run-stuffing defensive tackle. The lifelong Michigan fan is happy to take his ability — and that versa- tility — just down the road to Ann Arbor. There was some question about how solid his commitment may be after a late official visit to Michigan State, but he re-affirmed his Michigan pledge the night before putting pen to ink on his National Letter of Intent to the Maize and Blue. "I did take a visit down there [to East Lansing], just to take a visit, because I only get this opportunity once," he admitted. "But for the next four to five years — I am going to con- tinue college and get my masters de- gree — I'll be taking my talents to the University of Michigan." Michael Onwenu started up front for three years at Detroit Cass Tech, where he played for former Wolverine Thomas Wilcher. PHOTO BY TIM SULLIVAN