Over thirty young men and one young woman — Cass Tech guard Zoey Oatis announced her intentions to play basketball at the University of Detroit-Mercy — sat in front of family, friends, coaches and the media on the cusp of the most significant decision of their young lives.  The summation of numerous years of blood, sweat, tears, disappointments and personal success is what allowed these student-athletes to earn this opportunity. There was not as much as a dramatic flare this year as it was last year (2015 DPS Signing Day), but there was plenty of intrigue.

Top CB recruit Detroit King’s Lavert Hill was the top recruit in the city out of today’s decisions with teammate WR Donnie Corley already attending Michigan State.  Many were speculating Hill would be joining Corley in East Lansing, but he decided to sign with The University of Michigan and play alongside his brother Delano. Lavert admitted that he made his decision this morning around 5 a.m. and the first person he informed was his mother, followed by Coach Harbaugh.

So proud to say I’m officially committed to THE University of Michigan 💙💛 #GoBlue #NSD2016 pic.twitter.com/MPVzcsArjc

— Ghost (@VertHill21) February 3, 2016

 

There was another prospect who was torn between the two state rivals; OL Michael Onwenu of Cass Tech made his official visit to Michigan State last weekend after being verbally committed to The University of Michigan for some time; fortunately for the Wolverines, he stayed true to his word and is headed to Ann Arbor in the fall.

Big Sean announcing Michael Onwenu committing to Michigan. #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/LzdusPylnc

— Big Sean Daily (@BigSeanWorld) February 3, 2016

 

Alaric Jackson, a two-sport star from Renaissance was considering Iowa State, Nebraska and Iowa and chose to play for the Hawkeyes.  The Big 10 will be on the look out for the 6’7 285lb lineman for years to come.

 

Alaric Jackson announces that he will be playing for @HawkeyeFootball in the fall. #SigningDayOnBTN https://t.co/7DyvGbJ8Dx

— Iowa On BTN (@IowaOnBTN) February 3, 2016

 

Jackson’s Renaissance teammate DB Mark Wilson signed to play for Grand Valley State University.

 

Division 2 State Champion Detroit King’s RB Martell Pettaway stayed true to his commitment to West Virginia University while his teammate and QB Armani Posey decided to attend Bowling Green State University and will play on the defensive side of the ball.

 

Mountaineer nation welcome 2016 signee Martell Pettaway (@YeeaahhP) to the football team pic.twitter.com/0Yu30UMzvU

— Dana Holgorsen (@Holgorsendana) February 3, 2016

 

Bowling Green’s next signee is Armani Posey, a DB hailing from Detroit, Mich.! #NestLevel #AYZ16GYZOOMBA pic.twitter.com/JOwJUAaWfD

— BG Football (@BG_Football) February 3, 2016

Detroit King led the pack with eleven players signing at the event followed by Cass Tech with ten, East English Village with six, Mumford with five, Western International and Renaissance both with four, Henry Ford with two and Cody with one.

Again the Detroit Public School League has shown to be a major contributor to college football on the national scale and it doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon.  This  is a testament to the diligence from the athletic departments, school administrators, coaches, players and supports.  As a conference, the mission of creating Strong, Proud Learners is not just something that occurs on the field, but a way of life.

 

Here is a complete list of the players who signed by the high schools they attend.

(List compiled by Detroit Public Schools Athletic Department)

Cass Technical High School:
Alvin Clemons- Indiana State University
Brandon Webb- University of Findlay
Demetric Vance Jr- Michigan State University
Donnell Alexander- Saginaw Valley State University
Edrick Mathews- University of Toledo
Marcel Paul- University of Cincinnati
Michael Onwenu- University of Michigan
Ostell Martin- Morgan State University
Taeshon Trotter- Ohio University
Timothy Walton Jr.- Syracuse University

Zoey Oatis- University of Detroit Mercy

Cody High School:
Rodney Graves- Western Michigan University

East English Village Preparatory High School:
Andrew DeMoss- Missouri Baptist University
Cedrick Lattimore- University of Iowa
Chauncey Golsten- University of Iowa
James Ceasar- Southern Illinois University
Lindrell Mitchell- Ferris State University
Nathaniel Boleware- Ferris State University

Henry Ford High School:
Dionte Stewart- Monterey Peninsula College
Keonte’ Lott- Georgia Prep Sports Academy

Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School:
Armani Posey- Bowling Green University
Dontre Boyd- Western Michigan University
Donnie Corley- Michigan State University
Dylan Swanson- Urbana University
Jaquan Boyd- Kalamazoo College
Jeremiah Fuller- Urbana University
LaVert Hill- University of Michigan
Lawrence Bryant- Walsh University
Leon Page- Central Michigan University
Martell Pettaway- West Virginia University
Ogheneochuko Jordan Ighofose- Davenport University

Mumford High School:
Ahmad Mitchell- Alabama A&M University
Carlton Bowens- Alabama A&M University
Corrin Jones- Siena Heights University
Elliot Riddle- Tennessee State University
Teeondre Harvey- Central Michigan University

Renaissance High School:
Alante Thomas- Saginaw Valley State University
Alaric Jackson- University of Iowa
DeJuan Reeler- Central State University
Mark Wilson- Grand Valley State University

Western International High School:
Christian Myles- Olivet College
Isaac Tarrant- Olivet College
Jaye Patrick- Siena Heights University
Kareem Ray- Olivet College

 

Martell Pettaway discusses why WVU was the best fit.

Armani Posey discusses the road that lad him to BGSU