Local recruits still weighing options as Signing Day nears
The majority of the top recruits in the state have already made their decisions on where they will play college football.
Still, there are multiple standout players still available, needing to make big decisions in the days ahead, with National Signing Day on Wednesday.
One such player is Salem three-star offensive lineman Alex Howie, who has taken official visits to Air Force and Washington State in past weeks. Howie, No. 28 on The Detroit News Blue Chip list, is also interested in Eastern Michigan. He plans to make his decision on Signing Day.
Bringing in Howie, who helped Salem earn its first state playoff appearance in 26 years, would be a big boost for Eastern Michigan. He is the type of impact player that can bring the Eagles’ program to the next level, one of consistent winning seasons and possibly contending for a MAC West division title.
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No doubt, the Eagles showed their ability to compete this past season, pushing MAC champion Toledo to the limit in a 20-15 road loss to the Rockets, then losing at Northern Illinois 30-27 in overtime.
EMU had its first winning season since 1995 during the 2016 season, then fell to 5-7 last year, losing six games by a touchdown or less.
In addition, EMU is still in the running for Detroit Central standout receiver / cornerback Jerodd Vines, who is No. 38 on The Detroit News Blue Chip list.
“I took an official visit to Ferris State and I’m going to go to Eastern Michigan Friday,” Vines said. “I’m actually going to wait until after Signing Day to sign. I’ll just take my time and see what happens.”
Vines, who said Bowling Green and Miami of Ohio have also shown interest, has the potential to be the type of player that Darius Phillips became at Western Michigan. Phillips was an All-MAC defensive back who was also one of the premier return men in all of college football, showing the ability to score on punt, kickoff and interception returns.
Vines had 55 receptions for 943 yards and 14 TDs his senior year at Detroit Central while forcing 15 fumbles and intercepting 10 passes, scoring seven defensive TDs.