Teams making late moves for Michaelson

The recruiting process has revved up for Eden Prairie, Minn., linebacker Drake Michaelson with less than three weeks to go before National Signing Day. The 6-1, 205-pound defender has several new options to weigh as he decides his college future.

After several recent scholarship offers, Michaelson now has tenders from Toledo, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Dakota State, Furman, Wofford, Air Force and Wyoming. He took official visits to Wyoming and Minnesota in December and just returned this past weekend from an official visit to Ohio University. Several schools are in the mix for his final two official visit weekends.

"I'm taking an official visit to Illinois on the 27th, and hopefully to either Toledo or the University of Houston on the 20th," Michaelson said. "It sounds like with me going on an official to both Illinois and Houston they could possibly throw an offer out.

"I just took an official this past weekend to Ohio and that went well, was a great experience. I have a strong interest in them, definitely."

The teams still under consideration for Michaelson at this stage are Air Force, Toledo, Illinois, Akron, Ohio, Wofford and Minnesota.

Michaelson's contact with Illinois began just last week. He hit the Illini's radar after Tim Beckman was named head coach in Champaign.

"They are taking three to four linebackers and they think I could be one of those," Michaelson said. "They were very impressed with my film, and I have talked to them a couple times. We have a set date when I will visit, but they are meeting me in-person before and if all goes good I think something's going to happen."

Michaelson took his official visit to Minnesota the weekend of Dec. 16. He does not have a scholarship offer from the Gophers, but still has interest in the in-state school.

"They want me very badly as a preferred walk-on player, which I am still considering," Michaelson said. "That's the hometown school."

Michaelson is coming off a senior season in which he earned first team all-state honors from his linebacker position. He is also a strong student in the classroom with a 3.62 GPA.