A major force on the Turlock High School varsity football program’s offensive line appears to be nearing a decision on his future school.

Avery Michael, a three-star recruit at offensive tackle, announced Monday on social media that he has narrowed his college choices to six schools. 

Per posts on X and Instagram, the finalists on Michael’s list (in no particular order) are Michigan, Oregon, Nebraska, University of Southern California, Washington and California.

The offers from USC and California each came over the past week. Oregon, Nebraska and Washington entered the sweepstakes in December. Of the final teams standing, Michigan was the first to extend an offer, having done so back in mid-November.

In total, Michael has received 27 offers from Division I programs, as of Tuesday evening. Those other schools are Washington State, Minnesota, West Virginia, Purdue, Kansas, Duke, Fresno State, Boise State, San Jose State, Colorado State, Nevada, San Diego State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Montana State, Northern Arizona, Georgia Southern, Toledo, Sacramento State, Portland State and Texas State.

Michael is coming off a strong junior season in which he was named the Central California Athletic League’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman, helping the Bulldogs’ balanced offensive attack average over 25 points per game.

Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, Michael has stood out on game tape and at area offseason camps. He is rated an 86 by 247 sports, and carried 10 offers prior to the 2025 season even starting, an experience he called “humbling.”
“I started getting more playing time down the stretch last year, and this offseason was the real difference, being able to showcase my talents,” Michael told the Journal in August. “Football has been a part of my life since I was really young, so it’s special to know that my team, my coaches trust me and that people think highly of me.”