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Donnie Corley of King is first player from Detroit to be named State Champs! Mr. Football
Detroit – Donnie Coley, Jr., of Detroit King was State Champs! No. 1-rated player in the preseason and on Thursday he was named the eighth recipient of State Champs! Hungry Howies Mr. Football Award.
Corley started at receiver and defensive back each of the past two seasons for coach Dale Harvel and, on occasion, he also returned kickoffs.
Corley is the first player from Detroit to receive this award
“It’s a big deal to be named the No. 1 guy in Michigan,” Corley said. “It means a lot to bring it to Detroit.”
Corley helped the Crusaders win the Division 2 title last month and it was his 40-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Armani Posey on the last play of the game that gave King a 40-38 victory over Lowell at Ford Field.
Corley (6-2, 180) remains uncommitted and has narrowed his college choices to five. They are Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Tennessee. He has taken official visits to MSU and Tennessee. He said he plans on taking an official visit to Ohio State and possibly Notre Dame before he makes his decision.
It’s a decision that is likely to come sooner than later. Corley, who has a 3.5 grade-point average, is on schedule to graduate later this month and is expected to enroll in college in January.
Corley also said that he and his teammate, receiver-defensive back Lavert Hill, will make their decision together, likely at King.
Hill recently de-committed from Penn State. He said he’s making an official visit to Michigan this weekend.
Corley is a soft-spoken person. Often one must move closer to him to clearly hear what he’s saying. When praise is given to him he automatically shares it with his teammates and coaches.
“It’s how I was raised,” he said. “I haven’t made it yet.”
His mother, Tanica Corley, said she’s fortunate to have a son like Donnie. She said his quiet demeanor is a family trait.
“That’s the way we are,” she said. “He makes my life easy. He never gets into trouble. He gets good grades. He’s a humble kid.”
This season Corley had 59 receptions for 1,403 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 80 tackles and 10 interceptions.
