'08 NJ LB Marcus Witherspoon (Rutgers Verbal)

[GoRU]

CourierPostOnline - South Jersey's Web Site

After returning earlier today from an official visit to Rutgers this weekend, Marcus Witherspoon has decided to stick with his first choice.

According to Holy Spirit High School football coach Bill Walsh, Witherspoon has decided to stay with the University of Michigan. The 6-2, 225-pound All-State linebacker and Courier-Post Defensive Player of the Year made a verbal commitment to the Big Ten school last summer but re-opened the recruiting process right after Michigan named Rich Rodriguez its new head coach.

``He felt the bottom line was that a degree from Michigan has some power,'' Walsh said. ``After meeting with the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, he felt comfortable.

``Marcus had a great visit with Rutgers. He liked (head coach) Greg Schiano, the coaching staff and the players.''

Witherspoon also made an official visit to Tennessee. Representatives from all three schools made visits to Holy Spirit in last two weeks as well.

[HotMic]

Scout $

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From the Michigan site. Witherspoon has decided that Michigan is the place for him, and is once again solid with his verbal.

[MattC87]

Marcus will unfortunately not be a part of the Michigan team. He has failed to qualify. It's a big time loss.

[GoRU]

Witherspoon left to wonder by Michigan | CourierPostOnline.com | Courier-Post

Michigan said Witherspoon was ineligible, that he had failed to meet the NCAA's initial qualifying standards and had not been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Despite being on campus, attending classes and being treated like any other football player on scholarship, he was no longer allowed to stay.

Now, Witherspoon is trying to decide between Rutgers and Tennessee. He plans to enroll in one of the two schools next semester and play football next fall.

"Things didn't work out (at Michigan), but I still have two good options," he said.

[GoRU]

Former Holy Spirit football star Marcus Witherspoon heading to Rutgers

Marcus Witherspoon is headed to Rutgers University on a Division I college football scholarship.

The 2008 Holy Spirit graduate said Friday night that he will be at class and practice on Monday. The NCAA on Friday declared him academically eligible to play.

The move caps a tumultuous month for the linebacker. He left the University of Michigan last week after being declared ineligible.

"I'm blessed," Witherspoon said. "They (Rutgers) won't regret it. I'm so happy."

Rutgers could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Moving thread to RU forum...