Here's the latest preview for Michigan's Top 10 teams for the 2017 season. Today's post looks at my No. 4-ranked squad -- Detroit Cass Tech.
4. Detroit Cass Tech- Last year's record (14-0, Division 1 state champion defeating Detroit Catholic Central 49-20).
Top players- Kalon Gervin-5-10, 185-Sr.-CB-WR, DeAndre Square-6-1, 215-Sr.-LB (Kentucky verbal), Andre Carter-6-4, 255-Sr.-DE (WMU verbal), Brandon Gray-6-5, 195-Sr.-WR (Washington State verbal), Eric Smith-6-1, 285-Sr.-DT, Dyontae Johnson-6-2, 210-Sr.-LB (Toledo verbal), Aaron Jackson-6-2, 210-Sr.-QB (EMU verbal), Ramani Williams-5-11, 215-Sr.-LB, Jaren Mangham-6-1, 215-Jr.-RB-LB, Lew Nichols-6-0, 195-Jr.-RB, Xavier Goldsmith-5-9, 160-Jr.-CB-WR, Jalen Graham-6-3, 195-Jr.-WR-S, Allen Jones-6-5, 315-Jr.-OT, Christian Dudley-6-2, 280-Jr.-C, Ormondell Dingle-6-1, 190-Jr.-S, Tremayne Oliver-6-3, 235-Soph.-DE.
Season opener- vs. Pickerington Central (Ohio) at Toledo, Aug. 24. This will be such a fantastic opener for both squads. Pickerington is one of the top programs in the Buckeye State. Last year, the Tigers finished 13-2 losing in the "Big School" state semifinals to eventual champion Cincinnati St. Xavier 29-27. Pickerington is 32-6 over the last three seasons. The Tigers, big, strong, athletic and fast, are led by seniors CB-WR Xavier Henderson (6-1, 190) and DE-TE Trenton Gillison (6-5, 240), both verbally committed to Michigan State.
Interesting program tidbits- Many casual high school football fans might think Detroit Cass Tech is only a recent dominant program. On the contrary, the Technicians have been churning out big-time D-I college football and NFL talent for decades. Former Cass Tech players include Aaron Kyle (Wyoming), a first round draft pick (1976, 27th overall) of the Dallas Cowboys who started at CB in Super Bowls XII and XIII; Harlan Huckleby (U-M), a Wolverine legend at RB and NFL player in the 1980s; Curtis Greer (U-M, All-American DE), a first round pick (1980, sixth overall) of the St. Louis Cardinals (before move to Arizona); Darris McCord (Tennessee), a Pro Bowl DE with the Detroit Lions and an original member of the "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line in the early 1960s; Vernon Gholston (Ohio State), a first round draft pick (2008, sixth overall) of the New York Jets as a DE; Guy Frazier (Wyoming), a six-year NFL LB, played in Super Bowl XVI with the Cincinnati Bengals at the Pontiac Silverdome and Joe Barksdale (LSU), current starting OT for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Overview- Normally, Cass Tech would be higher up the rankings, but, at least early, the Technicians need to fill a few spots, including the considerably large and game-breaking shoes of Donovan Peoples-Jones (the No. 1-ranked WR in the nation last season now at U-M) and three-year starting QB Rodney Hall (Northern Illinois signee). Coach Thomas Wilcher, of course, will plug the holes with multiple future D-I college football players. Cass Tech, truly one of the 10 best high school football programs in the nation, will, as the saying goes, reload, not rebuild this upcoming season. Leading the Technicians in 2017 will be senior QB Aaron Jackson (6-2, 210), an incredible talent who has played well throughout his career when Hall was out, while in the backfield, juniors Lew Nichols (6-0, 195, Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia offers) and Jaren Mangham (6-1, 215, Oregon, Michigan State, Purdue, Arizona, UCLA offers) will carry the load. At receiver, senior Brandon Gray (6-5, 195) and junior Jalen Graham (6-3, 195, Syracuse, Kentucky, Pitt offers) look to be main targets, along with slot receivers senior Kalon Gervin (5-10, 185) and junior Xavier Goldsmith (5-9, 165). Upfront, juniors C Christian Dudley (6-2, 280) and OT Allen Jones (6-5, 315) will help provide protection and open holes for the running game. Defensively, seniors Andre Carter (6-4, 255) and Eric Smith (6-1, 285) will dominate in the trenches, while sophomore DE Tremayne Oliver (6-3, 235) could be a young player to keep an eye on in 2017. At linebacker, the Technicians have, arguably, one of the best groups in the country with seniors DeAndre Square (6-1, 210, 4.5 40), Dyontae Johnson (6-2, 210) and Ramani Williams (5-11, 215), along with Mangham. In the secondary, long a strong suit for Cass Tech, Gervin (4.3 40, Alabama, Va. Tech, Oregon, Notre Dame, LSU, U-M, MSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma offers), one of the best in the nation, will lock down one side at CB, while Goldsmith (Mississippi State, Colorado offers) will be on the other side, with junior Ormondell Dingle (6-1, 190, Syracuse, Washington State offers) and Graham likely at the safeties.
Up next- No. 3-ranked Muskegon.
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