Detroit Cass Tech’s Demetric Vance and Michael Onwenu, right, try on their new hats and jerseys Monday, Sept. 28, 2015.
Michael Onwenu is a big young man.
The Detroit Cass Tech senior offensive lineman had trouble fitting into his U.S. Army All-American Game jersey today. He had even more trouble fitting his large Afro into his hat.
But he should fit in just fine along the Michigan offensive line.
The 6-foot-3, 367-pound mountain and teammate Demetric Vance Jr. will play in the All-America game Jan. 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. They will be joined by Detroit King’s Donnie Corley and Lavert Hill and Ann Arbor Skyline’s Daelin Hayes.
Recruiting: Full coverage
Vance and Onwenu will be teammates at the game one last time before Onwenu heads to U-M and Vance to Michigan State.
One way or another, their paths will cross again.
“We’ve already talked about that,” said Onwenu, smiling. “I told him already. We are great friends, so … it’s a great opportunity to play in this game. Not many get the chance. I’m happy about it.”
Only 90 get picked per year. Last season, running back Mike Weber represented the Technicians.
“I thank my coaches and people at Cass Tech,” Onwenu said. “They put me in this situation. I just look forward to playing with the best in the country, to show I can play with the best in the country. We are producing talent every year and we have good talent coming out every year.”
Said Vance: “It’s a blessing and a great opportunity to play in this game. It feels good to know that the four years have paid off. All the hard work. When I graduate and come back, I’ll be able to tell the Cass Tech guys what I went through and the things Coach taught us were right.”
One big fan of both players is Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher. He said they embody what he wants his players to be.
“To me, they’ve made a great impact on our program because they’re the type of athletes that excel in the classroom, excel on the football field and, most importantly, they excel socially,” Wilcher said. “They meet with the players. They are peer mentors, they talk well to the groups and they’re always showing a positive side. They’re always trying to be there for their teammates, any underclassmen. They try to represent the school.”
Onwenu’s Wolverines are ranked for the first time since 2013. Vance’s Spartans are the No. 2 team in the country.
“It’s a great feeling and, hopefully when I get there, they’ll improve even more,” Onwenu said. “I’m excited to be able to put on those pads and do what I do. The blocking scheme is something I’m used to. I want to play my first year.”
The one player Vance keeps an eye on at MSU is Montae Nicholson, a hard-hitting safety who plays his future position.
“It’s a blessing to know I can do what I love and do it for my family and know I can go to college for free doing what I love,” said Vance. “This is my second year playing safety. I told myself I was going to be something. When I was playing receiver, I didn’t have that much attention. Coach (Jermain) Crowell kept pushing me to play safety. I figured out that is where I was supposed to be. Ever since then, I took off.”
Michigan recruit Michael Onwenu has versatility to play both linesDemetric Vance picks Spartans: Michigan State ‘brings joy to my heart’
No. 1 player: AA Skyline’s Hayes has unmatched potential
Donnie Corley ready to help No. 2 Detroit King rule PSL football
Contact Perry A. Farrell: 313-222-2555 or pafarrell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @farrellperry.