The University of Michigan was the first school to offer a football scholarship to Montour's Christian Wilson after last season. When it came time for Wilson to decide on a college, Michigan was first again.

Wilson, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior running back-linebacker and one of the most heavily recruited players in the WPIAL, made a verbal commitment to Michigan yesterday afternoon. He chose the Wolverines over Rutgers. The others on his final list of five were Clemson, Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Pitt and Penn State also had offered Wilson, but he wanted to go out of state.

Wilson has made unofficial visits to Michigan a handful of times. His mother works as a pharmaceutical salesman and the Ann Arbor, Mich., area is part of her territory.

"Michigan has been my favorite for a while," Wilson said. "I just like the overall area up there. The area that the school is in almost seems like home to me. Their academics are fantastic and their sports are fantastic. I know everyone wants to go pro. But even if you don't, you have a Michigan degree. And when you tell people you have a Michigan degree, you're in pretty good shape."

Wilson rushed for 920 yards on 159 carries last year. He said he was recruited by Michigan to play H-back, a hybrid between fullback and tight end.

"But their defensive coaches are high on me coming there and being a linebacker," he said. "So I kind of have the best of both opportunities."