Interview: Cass Tech OL/DL Michael Onwenu crushing a path to D-I scholarships

When 6’3”, 364 pound, lineman Michael Onwenu locks onto a defender or sheds a blocker to ground a running back behind the line of scrimmage the result has always been a positive for Cass Tech.

In 2014 Onwenu helped open holes along the offensive line, primarily at guard, for Class of 2015 Ohio State running back signee Mike Weber. On defense Onwenu and another Ohio State signee, Joshua Alabi (DE), applied the pressure up front giving more opportunities for guys like Class of 2015 Central Michigan linebacker signee Michael Oliver and Class of 2016 safety Demetric Vance (Michigan State commit) to make plays.

When the Technicians season was over after a disappointing 30-15 loss in the second round of the Michigan state playoffs to Saline, the big school from Detroit had pulled off a 12-1 season. Good news for Cass Tech fans, the Technicians will be loaded with talent again in 2015 with starting junior quarterback Rodney Hall coming back to lead the offense.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview we sat down with Onwenu to go over Cass Tech’s unblemished run through the 2014 season, how the big man is preparing for his senior year, and a little bit about the scholarship offers he has received from programs like Alabama, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, and in-state program back on the rise, Michigan.

 

Michael, Cass Tech had a great run through the regular season. Did the team expect to go undefeated in the regular season before hitting the playoffs?

“We expected to go undefeated and win a state championship. We expect nothing less than that.”

The Technicians lost a lot of talent but have a lot of returning talent coming back, how does the team look heading into the 2015 season?

“The team is solid, a lot of great competition going on.”

What will be the strength of this year’s team?

“Every year, it’s the offensive line. Our linemen are two-way players. Every play starts with the line.”

How many pancake blocks did you get last season?

“I didn’t record that.”

Watching your reel, sometimes you seem to block a little angrier than at other times. What gets you going in a game? Smack talk, a tight game, third down?

“It depends on certain plays. On run plays I can get up field and get on a linebacker. Run plays allow me to unleash my power.”

What are your goals for the 2015 football season?

“I don’t have any personal goals, for the team I want us to be successful and have a good season.”

Looking back, how would you grade your play during your junior season?

“I think in the beginning of the season I was shaky. In the middle and towards the end I played real well.”

What are your strengths on the field on the offensive line?

“My quick feet and my quick hands are my biggest strengths. I believe I pull well. I pull real well. Going to the second level, the little linebackers run out of the way and dodge you. We’re more of a run team, we don’t pass unless absolutely necessary.”

What honors did you receive at the end of last year?

“I was All-State, All-City, and I think All-County.”

What are you doing in the offseason to prepare for your senior campaign?

“Right now I’m just running more and getting my diet down. I have my own personal trainer. We work on everything all the way around. Every day is a total body workout.”

You have offers from Alabama, Illinois, Miami, Michigan, N.C. State, Ohio State, and Penn State, what other schools are showing interest in you?

“As of right now Oregon and Indiana are showing a lot of interest and Bowling Green, Michigan State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin are showing interest.”

Do you plan to go to any one-day college camps?

“Yeah, but I’m not sure which ones. Coach and I will set some trips.”

Where have you taken unofficial visits so far?

“I’ve been to Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.”

How was the trip to Michigan?

“Before Harbaugh (head coach John Harbaugh) came in I was not high on them. Right now Harbaugh is making me feel like a priority and a special player.”

How did your visit to Ohio State go?

“My visit there it was – basically we just went there for a meeting and watched them practice. They were hyping up the crowd. It was a nice experience.”

Do you plan on taking an unofficial visit to Alabama?

“I believe they have a 7×7 tournament there. We’ll be on campus for that.”

Which 7×7 team will you be traveling with to Alabama?

“I don’t know right now.”

Have you started to narrow your list of top schools yet?

“No. Not yet.”

Do you have a preference as to which position you want to play at the collegiate level?

“No, I don’t have a preference. Michigan is recruiting me to play guard.”

When your time comes to make a decision on where you will play your college ball what will influence that decision?

“Besides my family and friends, the school. Right now I don’t know what I want to major in. I’ll see what they have to offer besides football.”

Do you have an idea of when you will verbally commit?

“After the season, a month or so after the season ends. After I’ve taken my official visits.”

Have you decided which schools will get your official visits?

“No. Other schools are recruiting me still.”

 

A lot of football is left to be played for Onwenu which means a lot of defenders getting humiliated by his pancake blocks and a lot of offensive players getting knocked on their cans. With Onwenu keeping his recruiting open through his senior season, all the football left to be played in 2015 means a lot more offers are sure to come his way leaving a world of opportunities open for the Detroit area talent before National Signing Day 2016.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: 247sports.com; Michael Onwenu performs at a camp.

Photo credit: umgoblue.com; Michael Onwenu on the field for Cass Tech.

Photo credit: scout.com; Michael Onwenu on the PSU sidelines.