Prospect Spotlight: Micha Vayee – Maple Grove (2022)

A varsity starter since his freshman year, Maple Grove junior [player_tooltip player_id="18560" first="Micha" last="Vayee"] is no stranger to team dynamics. The struggles of a pandemic football season could have given the Crimson reasons to underachieve or play for themselves instead of the team. Instead, according to Vayee, the pandemic brought the team even closer. "We had an interesting season," Vayee said. "The team came together even more than usual because of how close we had to be. If one of us got COVID, our season would have been over, so we came together as a brotherhood. Everybody played their part, and it was a good season while we had it." The team put together an impressive 4-1 season. Giving up a total of 37 points all season – their defense was even more impressive. "Defense was our strength," Vayee said. "Our offense came together, but defense was our strength for sure." Vayee was grateful there was a season at all. "I was just grateful to have played the game, and God has given me the skills to play both sides of the ball. I think I was able to put up a lot of film to show college coaches what I can do." A two-year starter on offense, the 6’0" 180-pound junior played three positions. "I played wide receiver, slot receiver, and a little bit of running back. If the running backs needed a break or we were going to run a bubble screen or a jet sweep, I was the guy." "My speed is my strength – my speed and my agility," Vayee continued. "I can see things before they happen." His speed is an asset on the other side of the ball too. "At corner, I was usually on the single receiver – on the short side of the field. I am a man coverage type of guy. My strength is my technique. I have great trainers and coaches. I have been starting since freshman year. I played corner and kick returner." This winter, Vayee focused on his feet. "That is my number one concern. I am also working on muscle memory - reacting without thinking about it. I am not the biggest weightlifter. I do lift, but I focus on my technique. I work on being able to move and be in the right spots. I do a lot of footwork, a lot of hill work, and a lot of resistance bands." The 6’0" 180-pound Vayee is usually a three-sport athlete. "In the winter, I usually wrestle, but with COVID, I decided not to wrestle. In the spring, I run track. I run the 100, 200, and the 4X100." For Vayee, football didn’t stop once the high school season was over. "I just got done traveling with my seven-on-seven team. It is a team with guys from all over the nation. I was able to go to two tournaments in Texas and a tournament in Iowa, Nevada, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia." Like most high school athletes with next-level aspirations, Vayee will be trying to make his name known this summer. "I am going to hit a lot of camps. I just went to the Bemidji State camp and will be going to the Minnesota and Illinois camp too." "Recruiting is going well," Vayee continued. "A lot of colleges want me to come to their camps before they start talking about offers. I have been offered a roster spot with Augsburg. North Dakota State, Illinois, and Minnesota-Duluth have also been talking to me." The jury is out on what side of the ball the Crimson junior will be playing in college. "They tell me they like my technique and speed," Vayee told prepredzonemn.com. "I am being recruited as a corner, but they all like that I can play offense too. That seems like what interests them the most."