Kinnel exploring his options

Rivals250 safety Tyree Kinnel remains committed to Michigan, but the Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne four-star will explore other options while the Wolverines are going through a coaching transition.

"I'm still waiting on Michigan to get their coach because Michigan is definitely not out of the picture," Kinnel said. "I still think that is the place I want to be and am still committed there, I'm just basically waiting and looking at other options while I'm waiting."

One option Kinnel is considering strongly is Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish offered him a scholarship in September and have been intensifying their efforts recently.

"Tomorrow coach (Mike) Elston is coming for a house visit," Kinnel said. "We'll see how things go there, but I'll probably go on an official visit this weekend to Notre Dame. They've been really on me hard. I've been taking it in, seeing what they have to offer and see if the visit goes."

With the increased interest from Notre Dame, and the uncertainty at Michigan, Kinnel has been looking into the Fighting Irish's program more over the last few weeks.

"I've watched college football all my life and know Notre Dame is one of the winningest teams in college football," Kinnel said. "I haven't really heard too much bad. I know they just had some academic issues and don't know if that will catch up with them in the future, but Notre Dame is a great school so I'm going to take my time this week and see what they have to offer."

Notre Dame is not the only school Kinnel is considering, though. Michigan State, Kentucky and West Virginia have also been in regular contact and are being considered by Kinnel. His teammate, Robert Landers, is committed to West Virginia and the Mountaineers have been by the school recently.

"They were at practice last week while we were preparing for the state (title) game," Kinnel said. "I've had good conversations with Coach (Shannon) Dawson. One of my teammates is committed down there so he's in my ear a little bit and wants me to get down there. I would like to take a visit and see what they have to offer me."

Kinnel also has several connections to players at Kentucky, and may make a trip to Lexington before Signing Day.

"That could be a possible chance that in January I'd visit Kentucky," Kinnel said. "Kei Beckham from Trotwood is committed there and I talk to him a little bit. I still talk to their coaches and I still talk to Dorian Hendrix, a Wayne alumni."

The interest from Michigan State has been pretty consistent throughout the fall, according to Kinnel, and he expects to see them again this week.

"They were in last week and I think Coach (Harlon) Barnett will be back tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken," Kinnel said. "I know they are looking at Tobias Gilliam really hard right now too. They've always been there and do want me."

The 5-foot-11, 197-pound Kinnel just finished his senior season last weekend in the Ohio state finals. Wayne dropped a 31-21 contest to St. Edward in the Division 1 title game, and Kinnel finished the season with four interceptions.