Florida OL James Wilson Has a Michigan Offer

With 17 offers from schools spanning the country, offensive lineman James Wilson of Nease High School in St. Augustine, Fla., has the luxury of taking his time with his recruiting. One of those 17 scholarship offers is from Michigan, and Wilson talked with GoBlueWolverine.com about his spring and summer plans.

Nease High School is certainly a familiar name to Michigan recruiting fans. Quarterback Tim Tebow was a prime target for the Wolverines last year before deciding to stay home and attend the University of Florida. The Wolverines, and a host of other colleges are pursuing another top offensive player from Nease. "I have 17 offers now," offensive guard James Wilson said. "Maryland was the first, and some of the bigger names are Notre Dame, USC, Florida, Alabama, and Michigan."

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Wilson said he is wide open and doesn't have a favorite. However, his Florida-bound teammate is trying to bring him along to Gainesville. "He is after me every day," Wilson said of Tebow. "We're real close friends and I know where he's coming from, but I could end up anywhere."

The Nease offensive line attended the lineman camp at Georgia Southern, Wilson said, and he plans on going to the Nike combine in Gainesville, and the USC elite camp later this spring. "I'm not sure about any school camps this summer," he said. "I might go to the Notre Dame offensive lineman camp. I'm going to try and visit as many schools up there as I can."

Wilson said he has spoken with Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, and he was told the Wolverines are very interested in his services. "I'm going to look at them as I will the others," he said. "I'm going to take my time making my decision, and it isn't really a big deal what part of the country I'm in. Whenever it feels right I'll decide. But, I am going to take all of my official visits."

Weightlifting is a spring sport in Florida, and Wilson is a member of the Nease team. "I combine the bench and the jerk," he said. "My max bench is 350-pounds, and my max jerk is 340. I also throw the shot put."