Interview: Trajectory for California 2017 WR/CB Michael Onyemaobi is Off the Charts

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Every now and again when watching a highlight reel, not only does the talent of the player at this stage in his career jump off the reel but the idea of where said player could be in a couple of years really shines through. Without drawing unfair comparisons to any next level talent, Michael Onyemaobi is that guy for Chaparral High School (Temecula).

It happens multiple times every year. The list is long and distinguished with guys that were rated as a 3-star prospect, they get to the collegiate level tear it up and everyone wants to know how college coaches missed on this guy. Even more to the point, how did recruiting services only rate said player as a 3-star recruit?

Onyemaobi, pronounced own-yen-mo-bee, is a 6’1”, 187 pound, two-way talent who could be a serious two-way star at the next level or just a standout on one side of the ball or the other. The stats for Onyemaobi are incomplete, so an exact stat line comparison cannot be laid out, but make no exception, he is a threat lined up on the outside in the passing game and a hard hitting corner who can stop the run and play the ball equally well. If he gets any bigger, he could be that punishing safety forcing alligator arms on receivers and knocking running backs on their cans at the point of impact.

Some college coaches in the region have seen the spark Onyemaobi brings to his game on the California gridiron with Arizona State, Cal, UCLA, Hawaii, Idaho, and Washington State putting offers on the table. Schools showing interest includes Arizona, Oklahoma, Oregon State, UNLV, and Washington.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Onyemaobi before he starts his camp circuit to get the inside scoop on his offseason workouts, schedule, and a received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Michael, first thing first. The stats for your season are obviously incomplete. Through seven games they had you with just 13 receptions for 198 yards with three scores at wide receiver and on defense with 10 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one interception.

“My stats at wide receiver are definitely off. I had more than 13 catches and 198 yards – I had two 200-plus yard games last season. The stats are not accurate.”

The stat stuff aside. Let’s breakdown your game. What are your strengths on the field at cornerback?

“Definitely one of my strengths at is my aggressiveness. I am physical off the line with receivers. My size allows me to matchup with all receivers. I’m longer and able to steer the receivers when I want to off the line.”

What about at wide receiver?

“I think, once again, my size plays a big component. I can get in space, I run good routes and get separation from defenders. My yards after the catch are high. I’m good at getting more yards after the catch.”

Which position do you like best?

“I like them both equally. I don’t care which side of the ball I play on, I just want to play.”

How about this for a tough question, which position do you think you are better at right now?

“Wow, that’s tough. I think I am a better wide receiver than cornerback. Actually, now that I think about it, I feel I am pretty equal at both. I don’t know that I am better at either. I am comfortable at both spots.”

What are you working on right now to improve your skill set overall for next season?

“Right now I’m running track to get faster. I feel like that will help me out. I’m playing in 7×7 tournaments with Ground Zero, that’s a big one. We play in a lot of tournaments. We compete with a lot of recruits from around the nation before the season starts. That’s a great way to improve your skills. I’m also doing wide receiver training with our coach.”

How is your 7×7 season going so far?

“It’s going awesome. We just had a tournament in LA and now we are ready to go to Vegas. We have a lot of talent on our team, we have guys like Conner Bruce (QB – Bakersfield), Stephen Carr (RB – Fontana), Tayari Venable (DB -Rancho Cucamonga), and Thomas Graham (DB/WR Rancho Cucamonga).”

What are your goals for the 2016 season?

“For the team, get into the playoffs. That’s the biggest thing. I want to do what I can to get us there. I want to get my 40-yard dash time down to 4.4. from a 4.53. Track is helping me with that. I want to start the season off at 200 pounds. I’m just trying to get a little bit heavier while gaining speed.”

You are already lining up all over the field, will you line up somewhere different next season?

“Next year I will be lining up in the backfield playing some running back.”

Are you excited about the opportunity to play running back?

“I’m very excited about that. I like what I can do with the ball in my hands. Running behind the best offensive line in the league helps a lot too.”

With track, which events are you planning on participating in this season?

“The 100 (meters), 200, 4×1, and long and high jump.”

Michael, playing wide receiver, running back, and corner, all the 7×7 tournaments, and the five events in track, you might be the most physically fit Class of 2017 player in the nation this year.

(Laughs) “I haven’t thought about it like that yet.”

Moving to some recruiting news. You have six offers from Arizona State, Cal, UCLA, Hawaii, Idaho, and Washington State, which schools are showing heavy interest in you but have not offered yet?

“The schools that are showing the most interest in me but have not offered yet are Oregon, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Washington, and Boise State.”

Of the schools that have offered you, which schools are showing the most interest?

“Right now there are three schools showing heavy interest in me UCLA, Washington State, and Arizona State. Wait, Cal is too. Four schools showing the most interest.”

Tough question to word without being too confusing, but stick with me. Since you excel at multiple positions, which schools are recruiting you to play which position?

“I understand. UCLA is recruiting me at corner, ASU at corner and wide receiver as an athlete, Washington State at corner, and Cal at wide receiver and corner.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the 2015 season?

“Yes I did. I visited UCLA and took a game day to Arizona – against Oregon State. Arizona was the first school to start recruiting me.”

Are you visiting any schools during the offseason?

“Yes. I’m visiting UCLA this spring, hopefully a few times, Arizona State, Wazzu, and Cal.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“If I do, I have a couple in mind but nothing 100 percent sure right now.”

Are you going to any exposure camps coming up?

“I’m going to the Rivals camp in March. I’m thinking about the Nike camp in Oakland or maybe in another location. I’m not sure which one I will do. I can’t do the LA camp this week.”

What is your time frame on making a decision?

“I don’t – I thought I wanted to commit over the summer but I will commit when the time is right. I will wait to commit if I have to, it all just depends.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“First, most definitely education for me and my family. The next thing is how will I fit into their program? Will they put me into the best position possible as an athlete so I can showcase my talents at the highest level? The proximity of the school. I want to be somewhat close to home.”

Have you started to think about what you want to major in while in college?

“Yes. Criminal investigation.”

Okay, which TV programs got you hooked on that?

(Laughs) “That’s funny. A few actually. Law and Order, Prison Break, X-Files, NCIS, a lot of shows.”

Last question. Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“My parents, both of them. My mom, Francisca, and my dad, Gamaliel.”

Michael, thanks for your time today. Good luck with your 7×7 camps and your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: iesportsnews.com; No. 4 Michael Onyemaobi scores a touchdown.

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 4 Michael Onyemaobi on the line.

Photo credit: Onyemaobi family; Michael at Arizona.