The Central Michigan football staff looked at Merrillville's 6-foot-5 Aaron Kaczmarski and two words came to mind.

Defensive tackle.

"They saw me as a defensive guy and they wanted to move me down the line," said Kaczmarski, who recently made a verbal commitment to play for the Mid-American Conference champion Chippewas in 2009. "I've been playing end, but I've got no problem with moving. I've got room to put on weight, no problem."

A Times honorable mention all-area selection as a junior on the staunch Pirates defensive unit, the 245-pound Kaczmarski will eat heartily this season, when he should be among the Region's top defenders.

"(Central Michigan said) I'm a hard worker," he said. "I'm hard-headed, I don't know when to give up and I've got a good feel for the game."

Kaczmarski also had a good feel for Central Michigan, which won out for his services over Ball State, Eastern Michigan and Indiana State.

"I went to a couple camps -- Ball State, Northern Illinois, Central Michigan -- and they all seemed real good," Kaczmarski said. "What stood out was the coaching staff. I was always getting stuff in the mail. They seemed really interested. I just got a good vibe. I went to the spring game and a junior day camp and the school just felt real home-like. You can't ask for anything better."

Now Kaczmarski can focus on helping the Pirates make another deep postseason run.

"Once I got a couple offers, I figured, why wait around when I know what I want?" he said. "I can concentrate on my senior years and have fun with no worries because I know where I'm going to be playing."

Central Michigan has also offered Merrillville quarterback Dolapo Macarthy. Chesterton's Grant Cartwright is a member of the Chippewas' incoming freshman class.