COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michael Onwenu fills out a 6-3, 366-pound frame, so it’s hard to believe something might be bigger than him.
The 4-star senior from Cass Tech High School in Detroit increased his stock at the Nike Football Opening regional in Columbus on Sunday. He’s one of the 10 prospects out of 495 who received an invitation to The Opening at Oregon later this summer. That's big, too.
Yet the biggest decision might be where to play next. That’s where the Big Ten East Division comes into play. Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State are in the Top 15 in team rankings. Michigan is 35th but has just six commitments. There’s a chance all four schools could end up in the Top 25 for the class of 2016.
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The perception that the Big Ten East is on the rise is alive on the recruiting trail. Onwenu is one of many prospects sorting out that big choice.
“Coming from Michigan, it’s a good feeling,” Onwenu told Sporting News. “The Big Ten has a lot of schools everybody wants to go to. It’s good to have all those schools interested in you.”
Onwenu said the addition of Jim Harbaugh enhances the Wolverines’ pitch.
“Seeing he comes from the NFL, I see an opportunity,” Onwenu said. “He’s straight from the NFL, hiring coaches from the NFL and offering NFL-level technique.”
The Wolverines want Onwenu to play offense, but the Buckeyes want him for defense. He says Ohio State also offers chance to play for a team that knows how to win. Teammates Damon Webb and Mike Weber will be there, too. Remember the up-to-the-last-minute battle Harbaugh and Meyer had for Weber in February?
Onwenu said Penn State offensive line coach Herb Hand wants him to be a Chance Warmack-type player for the Nittany Lions. What if Michigan State calls again? Onwenu added that he plans on visiting Miami, Fla., and a few southern schools this summer, but the Big Ten is going to be a major player in keeping its talent close to home.
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Consider that three of the other prospects invited to The Opening are in-state kids from Ohio. Running back Demario McCall (North Ridgeville), tight end Jake Hausmann (Cincinnati Moeller) and defensive end Jonathon Cooper (Gahanna) are committed to Ohio State.
Another Opening invitee, 4-star Indiana receiver Austin Mack (Fort Wayne Bishop Leurs), will make his decision June 7. Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame are in the running, and the Buckeyes are among the favorites.
“All (of those schools) have high-caliber coaches with a lot of success,” Mack said. “Being around Urban Meyer and his staff a lot more, it’s hard to explain. They’re all great coaches.”
There’s also depth at quarterback. Michigan State commit Messiah deWeaver (Huber Heights Wayne) comes from the same high school that produced Braxton Miller. He’s a centerpiece in what should be Mark Dantonio’s best recruiting class at Michigan State.
Penn State commit Jake Zembiec (Rochester Aquinas Institute) is the top player in New York. He sees an opportunity, too. The Nittany Lions are free from NCAA sanctions, and it provides the chance to play quarterback on the big stage.
"I think everyone sees Connor Cook and Christian Hackenberg,” Zembiec said. “Those guys are prototypical NFL quarterbacks. ... When you hear the NFL guys talking, maybe those guys that are running around a lot aren't the best guys to last a long time in the NFL."
That’s just the 2016 class. Onwenu’s teammate Donovan Peoples-Jones took home camp MVP honors after running a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash and a 4.18 in the shuttle in the testing portion. He’s ranked as the top prospect in the state for 2017.
Who's already in the hunt for this 5-star wide receiver? Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State, of course.
“It’s big because it’s a power conference,” Peoples-Jones said. “It’s definitely something special. ... Our coaches don’t push us to Michigan-Ohio State or anything. Wherever the players feel comfortable, that’s where they are going to go.”
