Deakon Tonielli is finally getting used to his high-profile recruiting status.

That has taken the incoming Oswego senior some time.

A 6-foot-6, 227-pound tight end, Tonielli verbally committed to Michigan about 10 days ago. He had 13 scholarship offers.

“Even now it’s still hard to believe,” he said. “Everything is so new. The process was very shocking at first. Getting that first offer from Tennessee, my mind was blown.”

Tennessee coaches got the ball rolling in May 2021, and others soon followed. His three finalists included Illinois and Purdue from among six Big Ten programs.

Other suitors included Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota and West Virginia.

He made official visits to Illinois on June 3, Purdue on June 10 and Michigan on June 17.

“I honestly didn’t have a favorite college team when I was growing up,” Tonielli said. “I really liked Michigan pretty much through the whole process. I had been there three times before, and it kind of felt like home.

‘All three schools were close, and I didn’t want my family to miss out.”

One of those visits came Nov. 27, when he traveled to Ann Arbor and the 107,601-seat Michigan Stadium for the annual rivalry game against Ohio State. Tonielli saw the No. 5 Wolverines upset the No. 2 Buckeyes 42-27 for Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s first win in the rivalry.

“It was pretty insane,” Tonielli said.

Oswego coach Brian Cooney said Tonielli was very thorough in the recruiting process.

“He had great visits at Illinois and Purdue and learned how they hoped to use him, and then he had a phenomenal time at Michigan and said it felt right,” Cooney said.

Tonielli outlined his top reasons for choosing Michigan.

“The education is next to none, and I love the idea of playing at the highest level,” he said.

Tonielli’s versatility led to the high level of interest in him. In the Oswego offense Tonielli has often been split wide as a receiver or played in the slot. He also has lined up next to a tackle.The running game accounted for 64% of the Panthers’ yards last season. Tonielli had 32 catches for 385 yards and two touchdowns from junior quarterback Cruz Ibarra, who threw for 995 yards.

“I know they’re running a lot of two-tight-end sets,” Cooney said. “Deakon is one of those kids who can flare out or get closer to a linebacker. He has the ability to do both, and he’s going to fill out and still be athletic.”

Oswego coaches are looking to expand Tonielli’s role, likely to coincide with a more experienced Ibarra, in the upcoming season.

“We have a lot of ideas for the offense,” Cooney said. “They’re not all going to stick to the wall, but there will be some more things we’re looking for Deakon to do.”

Cooney said Tonielli has looked much more comfortable going up for high throws this summer.

Tonielli, who also has played basketball and competed in track at Oswego, will not return to the court next season.

“I’ll definitely focus on the next level,” he said. “I really love Coach (Chad) Pohlmann, and it does suck to give (basketball) up. But it’s best to do this and not worry about getting hurt in basketball.”

Tonielli believes tight end is his spot.

“I feel like that’s where I’m supposed to be,” he said. “I’m going to get bigger. I definitely want to improve my blocking skills. I improved last year but could have done a little more, but we had one of the best running backs in the state in Mark Melton.

“Improve my blocking and just really get faster and work on catching everything.”

Grant Newsome, Michigan’s first-year tight ends coach, should help him with that. Newsome played tackle for the Wolverines before suffering a career-ending injury and becoming a coach.

Tonielli said the two connected in recruiting.

“I feel like I could talk to him about anything,” Tonielli said. “I’m looking forward to building that connection.”