Novi Detroit Catholic Central’s Alex Bock
DL: EYIOMA UWAZURIKE
Southfield-Lathrup, senior, 6-feet-6, 240 pounds.
Highlights: Was a key factor in the Chargers’ drive to the playoffs, with 50 tackles, including 12 for a loss and six sacks. “He’s always played football because of his size, but his football IQ really grew this year,” coach Jason Solomon said. “We challenged him not just to get sacks, but to take away one side of the field.” Committed to Toledo.
DL: JEREMIAH TYLER
Birmingham Detroit Country Day, senior, 6-1, 205.
Highlights: The Yellowjackets didn’t hesitate to showcase Tyler, whether it was in the defensive backfield or on the line. He registered 96 tackles, 28 for loss, with 13.5 sacks. “He’s been so good and so disruptive at defensive end,” coach Dan MacLean said. “He can throw around the blockers. He’s been a problem for offenses.” Uncommitted.
DL: KHALID KAREEM
Farmington Hills Harrison, senior, 6-4, 255.
Highlights: A repeat All-North selection, Kareem rang up 17 sacks among 53 total tackles. “He can explode off the ball, and that makes him a good pass rusher,” coach John Herrington said. “He’s a hard hitter, he’s learned to read offensive schemes, and he’s got a good sense for the game.” Plans to enroll at Notre Dame in January.
DL: THEO MAJETTE
West Bloomfield, senior, 5-10, 255.
Highlights: Majette, a three-year starter, had 16 sacks, one interception and one defensive TD this fall. “He plays with a motor every single down, and it’s infectious — he allows everyone else to make plays too,” coach Ron Bellamy said. “He’s the best defensive lineman on the field, and we moved him back and forth across the line.” Uncommitted.
LB: DAVID REESE
Farmington, senior, 6-1, 230.
Highlights: Made 150 tackles, including 91 solos. Recovered six fumbles and scored six TDs as a fullback. “When Division I schools watch a high school game, they’re looking for players who dominate the game — that’s what he does,” coach John Bechtel said. “If there’s a better two-way prospect, I’d like to meet him.” Committed to Michigan.
LB: JOSH ROSS
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, junior, 6-1, 225.
Highlights: A team captain completing his third season as a starter, Ross made 101 tackles, recovered two fumbles and intercepted three passes. “He has tremendous range and reads his keys real well,” coach George Porritt said. “Even at a young age, we were impressed that he had the ability to make plays, and he had the physicality to play.”
LB: LORENZO McCASKILL
Southfield, junior, 6-1, 200.
Highlights: A starter for the first time, he made 102 tackles in 10 games, 13 behind the line. Forced five fumbles and recovered two. “He’s a superb athlete; he has the ability to play a lot of different positions, we just didn’t know where to put him,” coach Tim Conley said. “He only has one speed — even in practice — and he decapitates people.”
LB: TREVOR TANK
South Lyon, senior, 6-3, 240.
Highlights: Made 210 career tackles, 76 this year, as one of very few four-year, two-way starters to come through the Lions’ program. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime kid,” coach Jeff Henson said. “He’s extremely smart, and that helps him when he’s out on the field. He’s a leader; he makes the defensive calls and plays sideline to sideline.” Uncommitted.
DB: ALEX BOCK
Novi Detroit Catholic Central, senior
(captain), 5-11, 180.
Highlights: Bock’s ball-hawk skills helped the Shamrocks win a district title this fall. He intercepted three passes and made 43 tackles, and returned five kicks for touchdowns. “He’s multi-talented; he plays multiple positions for us and always has,” coach Tom Mach said. “Obviously he’s our big-play man; he’s broken more games open than anybody.”
DB: SAMAAD ALI
Birmingham Groves, senior, 6-1, 190.
Highlights: Made 74 tackles, 13 for a loss, with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. “He’s our most versatile player,” coach Brendan Flaherty said. “He’s a strong safety type, but also played half the field. He played defensive end; he got to do a lot of stuff. He’s a ferocious hitter and he really gets after it.” Drawing interest from MAC schools.
DB: TYLER LAURENTIUS
Novi Detroit Catholic Central, senior, 5-10, 175.
Highlights: Intercepted four passes and made 65 tackles, including 36 solos, for the Shamrocks. “He was a very good athlete and played with a great deal of courage and passion,” coach Tom Mach said. “He’s a tough guy that broke up a lot of passes. His leadership on the field and his hitting ability are outstanding.” Uncommitted.
COACH: BRENDAN FLAHERTY
Birmingham Groves, 15th season (10-1, 7-0 OAA Blue).
Highlights: Guided the Falcons to an undefeated regular season and a playoff win, a 10-0 shutout of Farmington Hills Harrison. “I think we accomplished a lot,” he said. “We had a lot of great players making big plays at the right time.”