Last Updated: October 21. 2010
Sam Webb: Recruiting
Wolverines, Buckeyes lead pursuit of Toledo defensive end
Ohio has a well-deserved reputation as a hotbed of high school football talent, but 2012 is slated to be an exceptional year even by that state's lofty standards. Eight Ohio juniors have earned recognition in Scout.com's early ranking of the top 100 juniors in the country, and that number could grow even larger in the coming months.
One of the first youngsters to make the initial cut was Toledo Whitmer defensive end Chris Wormley. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder could be ranked the highest of all the Buckeye State prospects when the dust settles -- a possibility he could hardly envision a few short years ago.
"I thought I was just an average kid playing football my freshman year," Wormley told Scout.com. "This whole experience is eye-opening for me."
Coaches and scouts were awakened to Wormley's talent during his breakout sophomore campaign in which he tallied 59 tackles and 12 sacks. Despite opponents focusing additional attention in his direction this season, he has picked up right where he left off last year. Thus far he has 40 tackles and seven sacks (unofficially). Simply put, at times Wormley is a man amongst boys on the field.
"He's a big-bodied kid who gets off the ball pretty well and is a good overall athlete for his size," said Scout.com Midwest Regional Manager Allen Trieu. "I think with his frame and growth potential, he'll be more of a strongside defensive end or five technique or defensive tackle in college. He's not your long, lean, wiry edge rusher like his teammate (Ohio State commitment) Kenny Hayes, but he can project to a couple different spots in a couple different systems."
On his trail
Colleges from across the country are now in hot pursuit of the Whitmer star. Many of them extended offers before the start of his junior season.
"Cincinnati was the first one last year," Wormley reported. "Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State and Toledo. I think Texas A&M, too."
As pleasing as the news of each scholarship was, Wormley was admittedly more taken aback by the two he received most recently. Ohio State threw its hat in the ring in late September, while childhood favorite Michigan joined the club just last weekend. The traditional rivals now share an enviable place on the talented youngster's list.
"It is Michigan and Ohio State at the top," stated Wormley matter-of-factly. "I don't really have them one-two right now, but they are definitely at the top."
