Last Friday, Ryan Winkel got a phone call that turned his world upside down.

The two-star Class of 2018 offensive tackle from Memphis (Tenn.) Christian Brothers had almost 20 offers from an array of FCS and Group of Five schools and was in the process of whittling his options down to make a decision.

Then, on Friday, Winkel talked to Northwestern offensive line coach Adam Cushing. That conversation resulted in a scholarship offer, his first from a Power Five school.

Needless to say, Winkel was excited.