Class of 2024 standouts in the Catholic League

Michigan’s Catholic league has historically been one of, if not the most talented, successful, and prominent leagues in MHSAA history. This league consists of 4 great programs, all of which had a winning record this year, and all of which made the postseason. Those teams are De La Salle (DII State Champions), Detroit Catholic Central (DI District Finalists), Brother Rice (DIII District Champions), and St. Mary’s (DIII District Finalists). Let’s check out a few of the young bucks in this great league. <strong>De La Salle RB <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14832371/Rhett-Roeser">[player_tooltip player_id="229402" first="Rhett" last="Roeser"] </a></strong> Rhett was the obvious choice for De La Salle, as he not only started on varsity, but he thrived on a dominant state championship team. If you don’t know his name by now, you should. Roeser is already 6’0 210lbs and he’s incredibly elusive, shifty, can block, and even throw up a few passes. Roeser could be an all-state back as soon as next season, as he was an all-region selection this year <strong>Catholic Central RB/LB/DB <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14942662/anthony-nicosia">Anthony Nicosia</a></strong> Nicosia had a very good season on the JV squad this past season, and although he didn’t start on varsity, he’s not incredibly physically gifted, he has great fundamentals and plays with a high motor. Nicosia has great vision, runs hard, and is able to deal some damage in the passing game as well. Defensively, he’s a uniquely hard-hitting corner that excels on stopping the run and shows promise with coverage. <strong>Brother Rice MLB <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14892621/Alex-Birach"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alex Birach</span></a></strong> Another guy on the JV squad this past year, Birach dominated the football field every single week. He thrives on the blitz, and when he has the opportunity to set the edge. The pass-rushing ability is there and the ceiling is high, while he’s a hard hitter who is a good run stopper. With a very good linebacker class graduating in 2022, Birach should have a great varsity opportunity next season. <strong>St. Mary’s DE/T <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16640885/Josh-Janda">Josh Janda</a></strong> A very physically gifted athlete at 6’4 215, I could see Janda developing into a great player. He’s a decent rusher who uses his power more than anything to get by, and a good run stopper who can tackle well. I look for Janda to spend a ton of time in the weight room to make his power moves more viable against the elite offensive line talent of the catholic league, and I hope he continues to compete this offseason to fine-tune more of his skills.