Nov. 30, 2007: The Salt Lake Tribune

Prep Recruiting: Wasatch Wrestler Commits to Mich.
by Jay Drew

One of the state's top high school football players has orally committed to attend the University of Michigan — to wrestle.

Wasatch High's Jake Salazar said he will join Michigan's highly ranked wrestling program, but didn't sign a national letter of intent with the Wolverines when last week's early signing period ended because he will go on an LDS Church mission before enrolling.

"I chose Michigan because I will have teammates in the wrestling room who will make me better," he said.

Recruited by all the top programs in the country, the two-time state champion, who is ranked No. 3 in the nation in his weight division, narrowed his choices to Iowa State, Purdue and Michigan before choosing the Wolverines.

His brother, Colton Salazar, is redshirting this season at Purdue after recently returning from a mission to Tokyo.

Jake Salazar is the third Utah prep to commit to a major wrestling program, joining Cyprus' Matt Brown (Iowa State) and Springville's Jason Chamberlain (Boise State).

Salazar rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the Wasps last season and helped the team make it to the Class 3A semifinals.