Paramus Catholic WR Javon Turner (11) celebrates in the end zone after a touchdown reception against St. Frances Academy during Paramus’ 38-20 win Friday at Michigan Stadium.
Paramus (N.J.) Catholic linebacker Drew Singleton has been to Michigan multiple times throughout his heavily contested recruitment. He has been there in the winter, spring, summer and fall. He has seen the Big House full, and he has seen it empty.
However, on Friday night, he had one of the most unusual experiences a recruit can have when he got to play the first high school football game of his senior year at Michigan Stadium. For someone who has experienced the program from almost every angle, playing in the stadium was greater than he anticipated.
“It’s like a million times better,” Singleton said of comparing it to a regular game experience. “Being out here, feeling the turf and getting to play out here with my teammates. I loved every second of it, to be honest. There’s nothing like it.”
Under both Brady Hoke and Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has recruited the Paramus Catholic program well. However, like his school’s president and head coach, Singleton says a lot of his interest in the Wolverines is due to the similarities in how each football program operates on a day-to-day basis.
“We’re both hard-nosed programs,” he said. “We don’t like to flash a lot, but we show up when the lights turn on. I know that for sure. I’ve liked that about Michigan since the beginning. I know Michigan can do things for me academically after football is over as well, and doing well in the classroom is something we strive for at Paramus also.”
Though Singleton is the main player the Wolverines are looking at to add to their 2017 recruiting class, he also made a point to note that the Big House experience is something that could create opportunities for his teammates, and even for the Baltimore St. Frances team Paramus faced on Friday. The game was televised on ESPNU.
“I love it,” he said of what the game can provide for the school. “It’s giving us exposure and giving exposure to everyone within the program. As far as playing here, and playing on TV, there’s nothing but good that can come out of it. It helps every one of us in one way or another.”
Singleton, who recently narrowed his college choices to 10, says he will visit Michigan officially in addition to today’s unofficial visit for the game against Hawaii. He has no time line for a final college decision.
Michigan prospect leads Paramus (N.J.) in prep victory at Big House
Steve Lorenz is the editor and publisher of Wolverine247 of the 247Sports Network. You can follow him on Twitter @TremendousUM and give Wolverine247 a try today.