LIVONIA, MICH. — Michigan senior defensive end Chase Winovich said from the annual football bust that he’ll have a decision on returning to U-M or declaring for the draft within two weeks.
“It’s anti-climactic, but I haven’t decided yet,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of fun messing with people, if that’s the right word. I’m enjoying the process and this game … I never got into it to be serious. I’ll be damned if I start doing it now.
“I’m serious about the way I approach things, winning. But I’m having fun with the whole process. Timeline-wise, I’m trying to have an answer within two weeks.”
He’s been sharing many of the “ridiculous” things people have said on twitter trying to sway him to return.
“I had someone comment … not funny, by the way … but he said he is going to cut his fingers off, then DMd me and said he’s going to cut his toes off, too,” Winovich said. “Somebody said they would release their Chupacabra and have him eat me alive if I don’t come back. Somebody said they’d name their dog after me.”
Fullback Henry Poggi tweeted he’d name all six of his kids ‘Chase’ if Winovich returned.
“They’ve having fun with it, too,” he said of his teammates. “It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine, as always.
“I’m not leaning any one way. I think I’ll lean one way for a couple days, then go the other way. From talking to people that are higher up and know football, the consensus is I can’t go wrong. Either way I go, if I leave this year I’m going to make a lot of money … if I come back, not that there’s anything wrong with [redshirt frosh quarterback] Brandon Peters, but obviously with [Ole Miss transfer] Shea [Patterson] coming here, the possibilities are endless.
“It would be a great opportunity to see things through, but I’ve put in my four years. We’ll see.”
Winovich continues to talk to family and friends and has spoken to head coach Jim Harbaugh once, plans to again soon.
“He let me know he wants me back, encourages me to talk to as many football people as I can,” Winovich said.
Winovich was a first-team All-Big Ten selection this year and finished with 17.5 tackles for loss to lead the conference.
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