by Bill Seals
A return trip to Iowa State will happen in the next week or two from a defensive back that was on campus for an official visit during the 2016 season.
Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral three-star senior Michael Onyemaobi is looking forward to much more low-key return stop in Ames, as he approaches signing day and a possible decision between the Cyclones and the Cal program he’s been committed to for several months.
“I’m going to be taking one more unofficial visit there sometime in the month of January,” said Onyemaobi. “I’ll be flying out there with my parents just to check out the campus one more time. My dad didn’t get a chance to get on campus, so we’re going to go do that before we get on campus with Cal. We want to make sure before we solidify anything.”
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound defensive back looks forward to seeing how I-State is on a normal day when the spotlight is off those who are there officially.
“It’s kind of getting back on campus without the glitz and glamour of being on a special visit, where you have a lot more attention and things that could draw you closer to the institution emotionally,” he said. “I’ll be coming out there on my own time and get a chance to see campus and the program more intimately. This will be a great opportunity.”
A pair of ISU coaches have remained in close contact with Onyemaobi for months, and will likely do an in-home visit with him later this month.
“I just talked with Coach (Matt) Campbell and Coach (D.K.) McDonald (on Saturday),” the Class of 2017 prospect said. “We have known each other now for several months, so we’re talking family-type stuff, trying to lock in a day (for my unofficial visit) and them checking in with me after my all-star game.”
The Cyclone coaches have made it clear they would love to have the senior as a member of this year’s signing class.
“I’ve been a big focal point for them since the spring, given the defensive backs that they’re losing this coming year,” Onyemaobi said. “Coach McDonald wants me to go there and play corner, and Coach Campbell started recruiting me a little more. They like what I do with the ball in my hands, so they want to use me in the return game and all four spots in the secondary.”
It appears to be a two-horse race for Onyemaobi, with one G5 program lingering around as a wild card.
“Iowa State has not moved whatsoever,” he said. “They’re in the same spot they’ve been since my official trip out there. I’ve been high on them ever since, it’s just a matter of how I feel when I go back up there on an unofficial. I’ll be taking my official visit to Cal the weekend of January 14th. I’ll also be taking an official trip to UNLV because it’s another opportunity to play offense, but it will likely come down to Iowa State and Cal.”
In addition to being a three-star recruit by Rivals, Onyemaobi is rated as a top-50 prospect in the state of California and the 41st athlete nationally. He’s also secured offers from P5 programs Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA and Washington State.
A return trip to Iowa State will happen in the next week or two from a defensive back that was on campus for an official visit during the 2016 season.
Temecula (Calif.) Chaparral three-star senior Michael Onyemaobi is looking forward to much more low-key return stop in Ames, as he approaches signing day and a possible decision between the Cyclones and the Cal program he’s been committed to for several months.
“I’m going to be taking one more unofficial visit there sometime in the month of January,” said Onyemaobi. “I’ll be flying out there with my parents just to check out the campus one more time. My dad didn’t get a chance to get on campus, so we’re going to go do that before we get on campus with Cal. We want to make sure before we solidify anything.”
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound defensive back looks forward to seeing how I-State is on a normal day when the spotlight is off those who are there officially.
“It’s kind of getting back on campus without the glitz and glamour of being on a special visit, where you have a lot more attention and things that could draw you closer to the institution emotionally,” he said. “I’ll be coming out there on my own time and get a chance to see campus and the program more intimately. This will be a great opportunity.”
A pair of ISU coaches have remained in close contact with Onyemaobi for months, and will likely do an in-home visit with him later this month.
“I just talked with Coach (Matt) Campbell and Coach (D.K.) McDonald (on Saturday),” the Class of 2017 prospect said. “We have known each other now for several months, so we’re talking family-type stuff, trying to lock in a day (for my unofficial visit) and them checking in with me after my all-star game.”
The Cyclone coaches have made it clear they would love to have the senior as a member of this year’s signing class.
“I’ve been a big focal point for them since the spring, given the defensive backs that they’re losing this coming year,” Onyemaobi said. “Coach McDonald wants me to go there and play corner, and Coach Campbell started recruiting me a little more. They like what I do with the ball in my hands, so they want to use me in the return game and all four spots in the secondary.”
It appears to be a two-horse race for Onyemaobi, with one G5 program lingering around as a wild card.
“Iowa State has not moved whatsoever,” he said. “They’re in the same spot they’ve been since my official trip out there. I’ve been high on them ever since, it’s just a matter of how I feel when I go back up there on an unofficial. I’ll be taking my official visit to Cal the weekend of January 14th. I’ll also be taking an official trip to UNLV because it’s another opportunity to play offense, but it will likely come down to Iowa State and Cal.”
In addition to being a three-star recruit by Rivals, Onyemaobi is rated as a top-50 prospect in the state of California and the 41st athlete nationally. He’s also secured offers from P5 programs Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA and Washington State.
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