Avon Lake offensive lineman Christian Pace heads to Michigan
Shaun Bennett
Division I colleges across the nation rushed to shower Avon Lake offensive lineman Christian Pace with scholarship offers before his senior year.
Pace reciprocated the swift action by picking Michigan, and enrolling in summer school so he can graduate in January and begin taking classes in Ann Arbor before spring practices begin.
?The recruiting process started slowly, then it was like a roller coaster that I?m blessed that I?ve gotten the opportunity to experience,? Pace said. ?Not many people get to play past high school, and it was definitely my dream and I?m one of the fortunate ones who get to experience it.?
Two dozen schools offered the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Pace a scholarship after he was ranked the No. 5 center in the nation by Rivals.com. Pace has only played tackle for Avon Lake and listed guard as the position he wanted to be recruited for on ScoutingOhio.com, but the center position may be a natural fit for his athleticism and field awareness.
?He?s very intelligent,? Shoremen coach Dave Dlugosz said. ?Some players understand: I?ve got to block this player on this play. Christian can look at the defense and he understands the concept of the play, and he?s capable of making adjustments not only for himself but for the rest of the team as well.
?He plays tackle for us, but Michigan is going to move him to center, where he?ll be responsible for making most of the blocking calls.?
