ACE: An Interview With James Onwualu
2013 athlete James Onwualu had a standout junior season at St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham Hall—the same school that produced former top-ranked recruit Seantrel Henderson—as both a receiver and running back, amassing 1,092 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2011. The 6'2", 205-pound prospect already holds offers from Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, and Stanford, and he's impressed scouts at recent camps, including the Army All-American Combine, where Rivals named him one of the standout wide receivers ($). Michigan has been in contact with Onwualu, and I had the chance to catch up with him briefly this evening. Here's the full transcript:
ACE: First of all, how is your recruitment going, and which teams have shown the most interest so far?
JAMES: It's been very exciting getting pulled into the process and it's really picking up quickly. The schools that have shown the most interest are Stanford, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Notre Dame, and Pitt.
ACE: Do you have any early favorites among those teams?
JAMES: Not really. Every school has a different twist to it and my relationships with those coaches are all growing so it could be any of them.
ACE: Do you have an idea of what position you'd like to play in college? I've seen wideout, running back, and safety all thrown out there.
JAMES: Depends on the school but I am willing to play any of them.
ACE: When would you like to narrow down your choices? Any idea when you'd want to commit to a school?
JAMES: [I will] most likely commit this spring. I have a feeling a school will stand out by then.
ACE: Who has been recruiting you from Michigan (which coach/coaches)? Any plans to take a visit to Ann Arbor?
JAMES: Coach Mattison and yes I would love to go visit and see what it is like.
ACE: What are you looking for in a prospective school/program?
JAMES: The biggest things for me are the opportunities that will arise for my years after college. Along with that, the academics and also the environment surrounding the football community.
January 16th, 2012 at 7:08 PM ^
Big time sports high school. Also the HS of Michael Floyd and Joe Mauer.
January 16th, 2012 at 7:53 PM ^
Seantrel Henderson also went there a few years back. All of the CDHHS sports teams are amazing in MN.
January 16th, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
We know, becuase Ace mentioned this in the beginning of his post.
January 16th, 2012 at 8:10 PM ^
Paul Molitor, Steve Walsh, Chris Weinke, and most likely where my kids will go starting in 5 1/2 years. It's either there or Hill-Murray in St. Paul, where the head varsity football coach (and reigning MN Football Coach of the Year) is Brooks Bollinger.
January 16th, 2012 at 8:12 PM ^
Impressive film. This kid looks to be a WR all the way but playing some RB seems to really help him get his YAC. Speaking of WRs, we seem to be back in on Jordan Payton. Coaches are visiting him this weekend. Oh the wild world of recruiting.
January 17th, 2012 at 10:48 AM ^
from experience, dude
January 16th, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
This kid looks like a WR. Really seems to look for extra yards after the catch and due to apparent strength, will be good for add-ons. Maybe I missed it, but does anyone know his speed?
January 16th, 2012 at 10:06 PM ^
I wonder why Mattison is recruiting him if he is gonna play offense? Maybe michigan wants him as a DB?
January 16th, 2012 at 10:50 PM ^
Who's recruiting you in regards to what position you're being recruited for. Mattison is our best recruiter, so you will see him involved with a ton of recruits on both sides of the ball. But to answer your question, maybe.
January 16th, 2012 at 11:44 PM ^
When Mattison was at Florida, he was the one who recruited Tim Tebow.
... but Meyer told Snead Tebow was being recruited as a linebacker..
January 16th, 2012 at 10:37 PM ^
....because he really doesn't like "donkeys" or "zebras"!! Check out the hit he delivers at 39 seconds into the highlights.
January 17th, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^
It seriously looks like he was going right after the ref there. Made me chuckle a bit.
January 17th, 2012 at 12:47 AM ^
Wow. What a highlight reel.
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