April 11, 2013
Sam Webb: Recruiting
Spring game another chance for U-M to impress Pennsylvania LB Chase Winovich
Michigan and Ohio State are among the college favorites of Chase Winovich. (Photo courtesy of Chase Winovich)
When Michigan steps into the Big House for its annual spring game Saturday, it won't just be looking to make strides on the field. It will be looking to make them off it, as well. Many of the Wolverines' top recruiting targets will be attendance, one of which will be Clairton (Pa.) Thomas Jefferson High linebacker Chase Winovich. It will be the Keystone State star's second trip to Ann Arbor. If it's anything like his first, it will bode well for Wolverines' chances in his recruitment.
"The experience was really cool," Winovich said recalling the early March visit. "(Michigan assistant) Coach (Darrell) Funk showed me around and took several hours out of Sunday to show me around the athletic facilities and sit with me for the basketball game. He is obviously a really good guy. It made a really good first impression on me. I had the opportunity to sit down with Coach (Mark) Smith, the linebacker coach, and he explained to me where I (would play) and what they'd want me to do. I like Michigan a lot. Another thing in Michigan's favor is my brother only lives 45 minutes away, so it's really convenient for me with him being there. He lives in Toledo and played at Bowling Green."
At that point Michigan didn't add its name to a scholarship list that already included programs like Florida State, West Virginia, Boston College and Pittsburgh, but the Wolverine brass made it clear to the talented youngster that he is a priority recruit for them.
"Michigan said they saw me as a SAM linebacker," Winovich recalled. "I'd be all over the field ? sometimes blitzing, sometimes covering the tight ends, doing all sorts of stuff. They explained to me how I'm one of their top linebackers for the class, but it's a really small class so they're going through the process just as I'm going through the process. So they said I'm definitely at the top and said they want to get me back for a spring practice in a couple of weeks."
Brady Hoke and Co. gave substance to those words up with a scholarship offer earlier this week. The move comes at a key time in Winovich's recruitment. An earlier offer from Ohio State recently brought his list into greater focus.
"This really changes things for me, and I have to say it's a dream come true since I'm an Ohio State fan," he told Fox Sports Next. "I'm not ready to commit right now to anyone, but Ohio State is in my top three. I can't deny that I love it, and it's going to be tough to find a school that will top Ohio State."
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