Teammates pulling Onwenu to rival schools

Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State have both offered Detroit Cass Tech 2016 defensive tackle Michael Onwenu, who has senior teammates committed to each program.

Onwenu is already hearing the pitch from Ohio State commit Joshua Alabi and Michigan commit Mike Weber, but he has yet to decide if he will follow either or pave his own path.

"Right now I am just neutral," Onwenu said. "What ever way it goes, Josh and Mikey keep on recruiting me and tell me to go (to their school)."

Alabi committed to Ohio State at the end of July, and immediately started encouraging the 6-foot-2, 320-pound Onwenu to follow him.

"Josh tells me that Ohio State is a team that wants to win and if you want to work hard, then come to Ohio State," Onwenu said. "When I was there I had met the old coach, but they got a new coach recently. I liked their defensive scheme and Ohio State is a physical team overall."

Weber committed to Michigan just over a week after Alabi declared for Ohio State, and has been encouraging Onwenu to join him and several former Cass Tech players in Ann Arbor.

"Mike is always saying I block for him in high school, now he wants me to block for him in college," Onwenu said. "Also, seeing that the old Cass Tech players are there, I would also be playing with them. Right now I am just looking to know their line better to see how they play because over the years they have had problems with their line."

Other offers for Onwenu have come in from Illinois, Miami and N.C. State and is still strongly considering each of those programs.

"I'm not really set on going to an in-state school," Onwenu said. "I like traveling and getting the experience."

Onwenu plans to attend the annual Michigan-Ohio State game in Columbus this November.