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FOOTBALL RECRUITING: Spring kicks-off with more commitments, CMU, WMU snag some more talent
The blooming of spring is bringing with it a rush of college commitments on the local prep gridiron.
This past week a trio of Metro Detroit’s top high school football players in the Class of 2015 found spots at the college level, accepting Division I scholarships.
Bobby Banks (Southfield Christian) – A crafty combination of speed and power at the tailback position, Banks committed to Central Michigan University. He’s fresh off a sterling junior campaign where his workhorse antics on both sides of the ball (he also played linebacker) helped lead Southfield Christian to a historic season; the Eagles raised both league and district-championship trophies and he scored the game-winning touchdown in the district finals to upset Madison Heights Bishop Foley in the waning seconds. Banks (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) rushed for 922 yards and 10 scoring trots in 2013, averaging a whopping nine yards per carry. On defense, he tallied 55 tackles.
Abdallah Jaffal (Dearborn Fordson) – This fast and active 6-foot-2, 215-pound outside linebacker committed to Western Michigan University. Jaffal is a “sleeper” with a large upside – Western Michigan was the first school to offer him. Showing off his endless motor and aggressive-style of play, he made 86 tackles last fall, helping take the Tractors into the playoffs. Offensively, Jaffal lined up at wide reciver and tight end, always posing a threat to exploit opposing secondaries deep. He’s the kind of competitor that finds his way around the ball on every snap.
Mike Oliver (Detroit Cass Tech) – Stout, strong and quick on his feet, Oliver, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound inside linebacker, committed to Central Michigan University, just the most recent of what’s been a Division I-scholarship onslaught by the Cass Tech program the past three years (more than two dozen). In his first year starting for the Technicians last season, Oliver recorded 76 wrap-ups and four sacks on a team that was ranked nationally the entire fall, captured the city title and advanced into the final four. Expect a monster year of production in the stat sheet from him this upcoing season, as he’ll be the captain and signal-caller for the Cass Tech defense.
