- All
Mike Weber of Cass Tech signs with Ohio State, disappoints Wolverine fans
Detroit – There weren’t any surprises on Wednesday at the Horatio Williams Foundation Headquarters, the site of the Detroit Public School League signing day news conference.
Detroit Cass Tech running back Mike Weber, Jr., made it official as he signed with Ohio State.
Weber is 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, and is rated as the state’s top player by most media outlets including State Champs.
He’s a power back with speed. In each of the past two seasons Weber led Cass Tech to the PSL championship and the Division 1 semifinals.
Weber had committed to Michigan before the season then de-committed during the season and committed to OSU.
Weber said he made his decision early Wednesday, and signed his letter of intent before attending the news conference.
After signing Weber said his “heart dropped. I’m stepping into something new.
“I didn’t know it was going to be this hard,” he said. “I looked at the pros and cons. With (Michigan coach Jim) Harbaugh, I don’t know. I don’t know how long it will take (U-M) to become a top program. Ohio State has already proven that.
“The competition will be tough.”
Weber said his meetings with Harbaugh were productive and that Harbaugh told him he “could a print on (the program)”.
Weber said he believed Harbaugh but what turned Weber away was that he hadn’t seen the program play at a high level recently.
It must be noted that Weber de-committed after Brady Hoke was fired as U-M’s head coach, and before Harbaugh was hired.
Weber’s father said the decision was not an easy one to make, and that he and his family would support whatever school he selected.
“There are no bad decisions,” Mike Weber, Sr., said. “It’s a great opportunity for him. Ohio State id a great school. Basically, it’s a chance to live on his own, and become a grown man.
“I’m very proud of him. We always prayed and hoped for this day. It’s a blessing and an honor.”
Weber coaches a youth team in Detroit. Ironically, the team’s nickname is the Wolverines.
Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher it was a “great decision” for his running back to make. Wilcher also congratulated Harbaugh and his staff and how they recruited Weber.
“(Harbaugh) stuck with the important things,” Wilcher said. “What makes men Michigan men. I’ve never seen a staff in my 26 years do what they did in just two weeks.”
Wilcher played for U-M in the 1980s and has often been accused of directing his players to Ann Arbor. There are many holes in an accusation such as that.
Two Cass Tech players signed with a Big Ten school on Wednesday, both to Ohio State.
The other Cass Tech player who signed with OSU is lineman Josh Alabi.
Alabi started on both sides of the line of scrimmage each of the last two seasons. Alabi is 6-5 and weighs 295 pounds.
Alabi said he did not try to influence Weber’s decision.
“I told him to do what he thinks is best,” Alabi said.
Also from Cass Tech, linebacker Michael Oliver signed with Central Michigan.
Running back Romello Ross of Detroit Western also signed with Central.
Anton Curtis of Detroit East English Village Prep signed with Western Michigan. Curtis was one of the top quarterbacks in the PSL this season. He led the Bulldogs to a Division 1 district final. Curtis (6-2, 180) is expected to play receiver at Western.
