Published May 20, 2015
Top 10 Cass Tech football players from the past ten years
Branden Hunter
MichiganPreps.com Staff Writer
Detroit Cass Tech has been the premier high school football program in the state of Michigan for the past ten years or so, compiling an 85-23 record over that time period, winning three Detroit Public School League city titles, going to five straight Division I state semifinals, and of course, winning back-to-back state titles in 2011 and 2012.
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Along the way, they've sent off a number of their student-athletes off to Division I colleges across the country. The Technicians have had so many Division I recruits since 2006, that it's almost getting hard to keep track. So who has been the best player to dawn the green and white over time? I take a look at that here, examining the top ten players from 2006-2015.
1.Class of 2015 RB Mike Weber: Putting Weber No.1 was a hard decision, then again, it was an easy one. There have been dominating players at Cass Tech, then there is Weber, who used to put the team on his back during his career, and was an absolute game-changer from his position. Weber has amassed over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, with a career-high of 403 yards.
Accomplishments: He was a member of the all-state Dream Team twice, and was named an Army All-American, and helped Cass Tech win its second state title in 2012. He signed on to play at Ohio State, and Rivals.com rated him as a four-star recruit and N0.59 in the nation.
2.Class of 2009 DT William Campbell: A physical specimen that doesn't come along often in high school, at 6-5, 317-pounds, Campbell was unfair in high school along the offensive and defensive lines. He registered 55 tackles, 22 that went for a loss, and nine sacks as a defensive tackle. He commanded double and triple teams, and still that wasn't enough.
Accomplishments: The highest rated player ever of out Cass Tech by Rivals.com, Campbell was a five-star recruit, and No.21 overall in 2009. Campbell earned all state honors and went on to play at Michigan. The New York Jets drafted him in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and is currently with the Buffalo Bills.
3.Class of 2007 OT-DT Joseph Barksdale: Another one of the huge lineman that Cass Tech has someone been able to land, Barksdale was a monster as well on both side of the ball, at 6-6, 323-pounds. You couldn't block him on defense, and you couldn't get pass him on offense. As senior, Barksdale had 73 tackles, seven sacks, and even an interception for Cass Tech.
Accomplishments: After graduating early, Barksdale to play down at LSU, where he played on their 2007 national title team. He was an all-state Dream Team member, and Army All-American. The Oakland Raiders drafted him in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he just signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers yesterday. Rivals.com gave him four stars, and No.67 in the nation.
4.Class of 2013 DB-WR Jourdan Lewis: Arguably the most electric player to come out of Cass Tech, Lewis was a problem with the ball in his hands, and could score at any moment, and lock down your best receiver. He was a key component in both of Cass Tech's state title wins, tallying 1,493 all-purpose yards as a senior and eight interceptions as a junior. Lewis may not have been the biggest player, but he made the biggest impact.
Accomplishments: Like everyone else on the list, Lewis was also an all-state Dream team member, and played in the Army All-American game, after winning his second state title. He signed with Michigan, and has been an instant impact from day one, looking to be a starting defensive back this season.
5.Class of 2014 DB Damon Webb: Might as well call Cass Tech "DBU", because they seem to produce a few good ones every year. Webb just might be the best one, which is saying a lot, and never needed any help covering his man one-on-one. His 42 tackles, 10 pass break-ups, and seven interceptions helped Cass Tech win its second state title his senior year. On offense, Webb wasn't too shabby either as a wide receiver and punt returner.
Accomplishments: Webb was named the top defensive back in the nation his senior year, and was named to a number of all-state teams, as well as an Army All-American. He committed to Ohio State, and won a national title with them this year. Rivals.com deemed him a four-star recruit and No.40 in the nation.
6.Class of 2013 OL David Dawson: Maybe the best pure offensive lineman to come out of Cass Tech, Dawson dominated from his left tackle position. Defenders rarely got passed him, and although the offensive line doesn't get a lot of recognition, Cass Tech wouldn't have won one his senior year if it wasn't for line play. Dawson was the leader of that group.
Accomplishments: Dawson was one of two all-state Dream Team members his senior year, and played in the Under Armour All-American game that year. He won a state title, and currently plays at Michigan, competing for an offensive line spot. Rivals.com gave his four stars, and No.165 overall.
7.Class of 2012 LB Royce Jenkins-Stone: As a 6-2, 220-pound linebacker, Jenkins-Stone was a grown man when he stepped on the field. He was too strong for high school blockers, and when he tackled players, he made sure they felt it. Jenkins-Stone racked up 145 tackles as a senior at Cass Tech, and was a bruiser at running back, scoring 12 touchdowns, and winning a state title in 2011.
Accomplishments: Jenkins-Stone was an all-state Dream Team member in 2011, and was an Army All-American as well. He signed to play at Michigan, and his currently a senior for the Wolverines. Rivals.com made him a four-star recruit, and No.184 in the country.
8.Class of 2014 DB Dior Mathis: Cass Tech has had speed at their program, but probably none like that of Mathis', who was also a track star in high school, running a career-high 10.4 in the 100-meter. Football wise, Mathis was a star in that as well at cornerback and wide receiver, with his tremendous speed and cover skills, scoring 15 total touchdowns as a junior, and intercepting eight passes.
Accomplishments: Mathis played in the Army All-American game as a senior, and unlike other players from Cass Tech, Mathis decided to take his talents out west to Oregon, where he played football and ran track. He went undrafted, but signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
9.Class 0f 2008 DB Boubacar Cissoko: One of the first high-profile defensive backs to come out of Cass Tech, Cissoko could do it all. He was only 5-8, but was well put together, had speed, and was a lockdown defender. He racked up 67 tackles as a freshman, and two interceptions in 2008. Whenever you talk about the best defensive backs out of Cass Tech, Cissiko has to be in the conversation.
Accomplishments: Cissoko was one of Cass Tech's first Army All-Americans, and went on to start few games at Michigan. He earned four-star status from Rivals.com, and No.44. overall in the nation.
10.Class of 2015 QB Jayru Campbell: Arguably the most well-known Cass Tech Technician of them all, say what you want to say about Campbell and the way his career at Cass Tech ended, but he was a winner. In fact, he won two state titles as freshman and sophomore, something no one had ever done before. His status as one of the best to play at Cass Tech is well deserved.
Accomplishments: Campbell won two state titles at Cass Tech in 2011 and 2012, and helped them go to three straight Division I semifinals as their signal-caller. Campbell did commit to Michigan State, but had to de-commit due to legal issues, and will now play at the New Mexico Military Institute in the fall. He went unranked in the Rivals.com database.