Dukes visiting Michigan
Columbus (Ohio) Marion Franklin junior wide receiver Jaron Dukes picked up his first BCS offer from Michigan last week. On Friday he is headed to Ann Arbor for an unofficial visit with the Wolverines.
"This will be my first time [in Ann Arbor]," Dukes said. "Mostly it will be just enjoying the school, enjoying being up there and having a good time. I'll get to see what Michigan has to offer academic-wise and see what they have around the campus.
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The Michigan offer followed an earlier offer from Toledo. In the last week the 6-4, 185-pound prospect has spoken with their staff several times.
"So far we have been real close," Dukes said. "We have been talking a lot and I have a good relationship with the coaches."
Although he lives in the shadow of the Ohio State University, Dukes actually grew up a Michigan fan.
"I think it started off when I was younger, everybody liked Ohio State so I just decided to be different and ended up loving the team," Dukes said. "I have always been a big Michigan fan so getting an offer from Michigan is a big opportunity."
Dukes is also receiving interest from the likes of Illinois, Michigan State and Ohio State. He attended a junior day at Ohio State two weekends ago and is looking at other trips once he returns from Ann Arbor.
"I should be taking a visit out to Cincinnati," Dukes said. "I've been hearing a lot from West Virginia too, so I could be headed down there."
Although he has an offer from the team he grew up rooting for, Dukes said a decision is not likely in the near future.
"I would like to take my time with it, make sure it's where I want to be and I'm happy with it all around," Dukes said.
As a junior, Dukes recorded 36 catches for 670 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged better than 18 yards per catch.