.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Maybe things aren't as dire for Michigan's recruiting efforts in Detroit as some feared.
Less than a week after Jim Harbaugh told a group of high school coaches in the Motor City he wanted to re-establish Ann Arbor as the preferred destination for the city's top talent, a four-star offensive lineman verbally committed to be a Wolverine on Tuesday.
Michael Onwenu is one of seven member's of the 2016 Scout 300 who plays for a Detroit high school and the first to give a pledge to Harbaugh since he took over as head coach at his alma mater in December.
Better yet as far as the Maize and Blue faithful are concerned: Onwenu goes to Cass Tech, the school long considered a Michigan pipeline but one that saw its top-rated prospect sign with Ohio State each of the past two years. The Buckeyes actually got two Technicians in February 2015 as running back Mike Weber and defensive lineman Joshua Alabi both signed with Urban Meyer. Meanwhile, Michigan State snagged Kyonta Stallworth and Tyriq Thomspon of Detroit King last season.
In 2014, Cass Tech cornerback Damon Webb was the top-rated recruit in Detroit and signed with Ohio State while Nos. 2 and 3 -- Avonte Maddox and Jalen Embry, both of Detroit King -- ended up at Pittsburgh and Iowa, respectively.
This year Michigan State already had a verbal commitment from four-star defensive back Demetric Vance of Cass Tech while Lavert Hill -- the No. 1-rated prospect in the city -- previously committed to Penn State.
Onwenu's commitment obviously stops the leaking of talent from the former Michigan pipeline, but concerns might have been overstated anyway.
After all, there are five Cass Tech alumni already on the Michigan roster and in 2013 Michigan signed five of the top six players from Detroit, so whatever problems the Wolverines have in the Motor City, they haven't been around very long.
[fsnewslettersubscription]
