Michigan athlete grabs first two offers

Madison Heights (Mich.) Madison's Valdez Showers helped his team to a 12-1 record this past season by starring as both the Eagles featured running back and doubling as a starting cornerback. Within the last week, the 6-0, 180-pound athlete added his first two scholarship offers of the recruiting process.

"I just got offered by Northwestern last week and Toledo just offered me [Saturday] when I went to their Junior Day," Showers reported. "It shows me hard work pays off."

Showers has been receiving interest from schools like Michigan, UCLA and Cincinnati since last fall, but he was not expecting Northwestern to be the first offer extended his way.

"I was very surprised about Northwestern. To be a big school and my first offer, I was ready to jump out of my seat. They added me on Facebook one day and told me to send my highlight tape. Two days later they came to the school and they offered me the next day. [Coach Matt MacPherson] told me he liked my speed and athleticism."

With one scholarship offer in hand, Showers had was more prepared for his second offer to come from Toledo when he made a visit to their school this past weekend.

"When Toledo offered me, they sat us down in a room with a few [other prospects] and told me they were going to offer me," Showers said. "They told me they looked at my size and my speed and I was one of the most exciting players they have ever seen. They see me at corner and on the offense side."

What position Showers projects to at the college level is still a topic of debate. As a junior he rushed for 1,525 yards and 20 touchdowns on 148 carries on offense and started as a cornerback on defense.

"I would say I feel better as a running back/slot, but a lot of schools are looking at me for my corner abilities and I don't mind playing that," Showers said.

Now that the pressure of picking up his first scholarship offer is off his shoulders, Showers looks forward to navigating his way through the remainder of the recruiting process. He has several more Junior Days planned in the coming month.

"I'm going to Michigan's Junior Day Feb. 20. This will be my second Junior Day [at Michigan]," Showers said. "I'm going to try to make it to Northwestern's Junior Day and hopefully Wisconsin's."