Welter hearing from many top programs
Ohio was the first offer for offensive lineman Jacob Welter but the Danville (Calif.) Monte Vista standout is hearing from a bunch of high-profile programs and he's planning a busy spring schedule that could earn him more offers.
Michigan and Wake Forest are showing Welter the most interest and he will visit both schools before his senior season starts. Trips to Duke, UCLA and Notre Dame are also expected so he can meet the coaching staffs and gauge how interested they are in him.
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The Wolverines stand out a lot to Welter, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound recruit who said he would have to "seriously consider" an offer from Michigan. The tradition and history in Ann Arbor seems to mean a lot to the northern California recruit.
"Michigan speaks for itself," Welter said. "It's an amazing college. It has so much history and so much tradition surrounding the entire program, the players that have come out of The Big House. Everything surrounding it is incredible."
Wake Forest offensive coordinator and line coach Steed Lobotzke has been in contact with Welter, who said playing in the ACC would also be intriguing. A trip to see the Demon Deacons this off-season reinforces his interest in their program.
"I got a chance to talk to coach Lobotzke and he told me he saw my film and he's really excited about me getting out there this summer," Welter said.
"I have known about Wake Forest and the tradition there for a while and it would be a great school to attend. It's in a really great location. The ACC is pretty dominant football and it would be a great environment to play."
Welter did not attend Cal's junior day last weekend but plans to visit the Berkeley campus in April. He said Wisconsin has started to get involved as well. Recruiting has gone to another level for Welter since he sent his junior film out and now he has options all across the country.
"We've been really good with getting my tape out there," Welter said. "That contributes a lot and after signing day things have picked up a little bit. My parents are really good with putting together my tape and getting it to the right people. It's been going really well.
"Some we just sent it to and some how they got a hold of me I'm not quite sure. There were definitely a lot of schools that I had interest in. That was our basic approach."
His busy visit schedule this spring and summer should put things into better perspective but there's no question Michigan and Wake Forest, two schools showing the most interest, will probably stick around in his recruitment.
"I just want to meet the coaches, see the campuses, get some more feedback of what they think of me and kind of make my decision based off that," Welter said.
"This summer start narrowing down where I want to go. Michigan and Wake Forest are showing real heavy interest. I'd say the two of them are probably the most."