Schlachter exploring new opportunities

Corunna (Mich.) offensive lineman Jalen Schlachter had his college plans set until recently finding out that Indiana was no longer honoring his scholarship offer following a coaching change. The 6-6, 295-pound prospect is now looking at other options with less than two weeks remaining until National Signing Day.

"The teams that have been in contact a lot are Ball State, Illinois State and Kent State," Schlachter said. "Ball State recruited me in the beginning, but Illinois State and Kent State are new to me."

Schlachter was on the phone Thursday evening with Coach John Strollo from Ball State and Coach Taylor Stubblefield from Illinois State. He will be leaving Friday for Muncie, Ind.

"This weekend we are going to go to Ball State for an official visit," Schlachter said. "I have a feeling the visit is going to be pretty good. Billy Lynch was a coach at Indiana and I know him pretty good. He's now on Ball State's staff so I have some ties there. I think I've created a pretty good relationship with Coach Strollo, so tomorrow we'll see how it goes."

The Jan. 28 weekend is the final one before Signing Day on Feb. 2, and Schlachter expects to be heading out for an official visit that weekend as well, but he has not finalized his destination yet.

"We're thinking about going to Illinois State next weekend," Schlachter said. "We're still hoping for Michigan, and if they call and ask to get me on campus we'll be going there next weekend. We were also in contact with Toledo, but they are very full so they were going to call sometime next week and see if there is going to be a scholarship for me. If there is, I'd see about taking an official visit to there."

Schlachter has a particular interest in Michigan and his hoping to hear from their staff after the coaching change in Ann Arbor.

"When Rich Rodriguez was there they recruited me pretty hard and I was there quite a bit. I liked it there a lot, but I liked Indiana a little more," Schlachter said. "I'm hoping to hear from them because I from what I have heard Brady Hoke is a pretty good guy. I'd like to get in touch with them."

Schlachter is ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the state of Michigan by Rivals.com. He earned honorable mention all-state honors in Michigan Divisions 3-4 as a senior.