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PREP FOOTBALL Pruitt commits to Western Oregon Ashland High all-star says he was convinced during recent visit to Division II school Comment By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@ADTsports DailyTidings.com By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@ADTsports Posted Feb. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@ADTsports Posted Feb. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News Ashland High senior defensive end Michael Pruitt was the only Grizzly football player to make his college decision official on national signing Wednesday, committing to Western Oregon University. Pruitt, an all-Midwestern League all-star on both offense (tight end) and defense (defensive end), was flanked by his dad Lee and AHS head coach Charlie Hall during a short ceremony in the Mountain Avenue Gym trophy room. Pruitt said he considered several schools — junior colleges and four-year universities alike — but chose Western Oregon, an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, after a late push led to an official visit last weekend. "It was a really good experience," Pruitt said of the visit. "I got to meet the coaches and liked where they were taking the program and how they delivered their message about what it was going to be like to be a football player there. "I talked with my parents and a couple of my coaches and some friends and stuff, and decided that it was the right decision to make." Fellow Ashland High Grizzlies Shashi Penn and James Hutchings are still considering their options. According to Hall, Penn has junior college and NCAA Division II offers on the table as well as preferred walk-on offers from both Portland State and University of Oregon. Pruitt emerged as a force on defense for the Grizzlies, leading the team with eight sacks and ranking second in tackles for a loss (9.5). He also had 16 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Pruitt, who's hudle.com profile lists him at 6-feet, 200 pounds with a 40-yard dash time of 4.56 seconds, said Western Oregon's coaches have told him he will probably move to strong safety there. He never played safety for the Grizzlies, but his quickness on the edge caused big-time problems for opposing offensive tackles all season. "I'd be a pretty big safety weight-wise," Pruitt said, "but they'd probably develop me into being a strong safety that could also work into their nickel back packages as a linebacker. It'll be a big change but it's exciting. I got to play safety a bit at the Oregon camp over the summer and that was a lot of fun and I had some pretty good success doing that." Pruitt, who said WOU's scholarship offer will cover about 25 percent of his tuition costs, was also drawn to the academic possibilities at Western Oregon. He wants to major in sports marketing and minor in physical therapy, a field he first became interested in while rehabbing a torn hamstring as a sophomore. Pruitt admitted that he felt some butterflies as he put pen to paper Wednesday, and is happy the decision is behind him. "I realized that I have a plan that I don't have to worry about too much for the next four years before I get on with the rest of my life," he said. "And I still get to play my favorite sport, and I realized that I was super grateful for that. I was also kind of nervous. I don't know why, but as I was writing my signature on the two pieces of paper my hand was shaking a little bit. It's kind of unreal." By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@ADTsports DailyTidings.com By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Follow @@ADTsports Posted Feb. 4, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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