Wetzel an Ohio sleeper to watch for

Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut safety prospect Ethan Wetzel had a good season last year on both sides of the football. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder threw for 1,200 yards and rushed for 600 additional yards. He also had 65 tackles and five interceptions. It's that versatility that makes him a pretty good sleeper to keep your eye on in Ohio this fall.

"I think most schools like me as a free safety, strong safety or an outside linebacker," Wetzel said. "I knew going in that I would be playing defense in college. You can always improve on your speed so I've been working hard on that and getting my 40 time down. I've been playing a lot of 7-on-7 just breaking on the ball, just reading receivers and picking them up in their routes."

"I'm a lot bigger than most of the other defensive backs and a lot stronger. I've also got some speed with it. So I guess that's my biggest strength."

Wetzel, who has a 4.53-second time in the 40-yard dash and a 300-pound bench press, said he's getting some good attention from the colleges.

"Some MAC schools like Miami University and Ohio are interested," he said. "Also the Big 10 with Indiana and Northwestern have sent me a lot of stuff. Then some Ivy League schools. Brown has shown some interest in me."

"I really like Brown and Miami just from the academic standpoint of their schools. I went down to Miami and I really liked it. I like the tradition and their campus and stuff. So those are probably some of my top options right now. I don't have any offers yet, but I'm close with Brown for an academic one."

Wetzel has a few things that will be important for him when it comes time to make a decision.

"I'm looking for good academics to help me out beyond college football," he said. "Then I'm looking at tradition in the school. Then just a good school with a program that wins."