ESPN Midwest recruiting Blog

Posted by Bill Kurelic

Offensive lineman Chris Freeman (Trotwood, Ohio/Madison) went out for football for the first time his junior year. At Madison, the 6-foot-9, 320-pounder had previously been a basketball player only. Freeman played in just one football game his junior season, making a start in his team's final game.

But recruiters, impressed with what they saw in that one appearance along with Freeman's size and potential, quickly came calling. Michigan, Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, UCLA and Oregon are all currently on Freeman's list. The first five are his favorites.

"But that might change," Freeman said. "I'm still checking out schools. I haven't set up any (official) visits yet. I'll do that after the season."

Freeman is working on a schedule of some unofficial visits. He has been to Florida before but would like to get down to a Gators game. He says he will likely attend the Ohio State at Wisconsin game Oct. 4 and will try to catch a few other games, including a West Virginia game if possible.

"I talked to Coach Rudolph from Wisconsin last Saturday," Freeman said. "They were playing Fresno State that night and he called me earlier that day. Coach (Dave) Clawson from Tennessee, Coach (Bruce) Tall from Michigan and Coach (John) Hevesy from Florida have called too."

Freeman was forced to miss one of his team's first four games. He has had a heart problem but has been put on medicine and is confident he will be fine the rest of the season. Madison is looking for its first win of the season Friday.

Midwest Notes
• Tight end Ra'Shede Hageman (Minneapolis/Washburn) is set to make his first official visit this weekend. He won't have far to go; he's visiting the Minnesota Gophers. He also has visits set to Wisconsin Oct. 4 when the Badgers play Ohio State, and Ohio State Oct. 11 when the Buckeyes play Purdue. Hageman has narrowed things down to those three schools.

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Some of the top junior and senior football players in the state of Michigan will be in East Lansing Saturday to watch Michigan State take on Notre Dame. Senior tight end Dion Sims (Orchard Lake, Mich./St. Mary's) will be at the game as will junior ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive end William Gholston (Detroit/Southeastern). Both have been offered a scholarship by the Spartans.

The 6-6, 245-pound Gholston is the cousin of former Ohio State and current New York Jets defensive end Vernon Gholston. William is off to a great start this season with 35 tackles and six sacks in three games, all Southeastern victories. His team has yet to give up a point as Southeastern has outscored its opponents 93-0. Gholston says Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State are the top schools on his list, though he is also looking at Wisconsin, Clemson, Illinois, Cincinnati and a few others.

Gholston would not rule out a commitment to the Spartans this weekend. Provided he does not, he plans to attend the Wisconsin at Michigan game on Sept. 27, the Ohio State at Wisconsin game Oct. 4 and possibly the Penn State at Wisconsin game Oct. 11.