Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the Catholic League
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Whenever I take a look at the Catholic League, I’m in awe by the amount of talent showcased. This time around is no different, as all four teams in the catholic central league have prominat D1 recruits leaving, and some…
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Continue ReadingWhenever I take a look at the Catholic League, I’m in awe by the amount of talent showcased. This time around is no different, as all four teams in the catholic central league have prominat D1 recruits leaving, and some major rising stars returning. With so many of these teams, I could have chooses countless players for the Best Returner or Shoes to Fill category.
De La Salle
Best Returner – Ryan Ross Ryan Ross 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL De La Salle Collegiate | 2024 State MI (IOL)
Shoes to Fill – Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI (QB)
Everyone’s said it, but De La Salle has emerged as the #1 high school football program in Michigan. Of course, the departure of Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI is a huge loss. The Cincinatti commit was the face of this team, and losing a player like that is something few programs can move forward from without some major steps back. Though I could have listed hakld a dozen players for best returner. Sure, there were a good amount of great seniors set to graduate, but Ryan Ross Ryan Ross 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL De La Salle Collegiate | 2024 State MI and others return for the redoubtable State-Championship favorite. In terms of Ryan specifically, I think he’s a Division 1 prospect.
Brother Rice
Best Returner – Blake Marrogy (QB)
Shoes to Fill – Nolan Ray Nolan Ray 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Brother Rice | 2023 State MI (RB)
I grew up hating Brother Rice, as they were the state powerhouse that simply couldn’t lose. As I got older, I’ve grown to respect them more and more. Last season, this was a very inconsistent team. In my opinion, they were still the #2 team in Division 3 (lost to DET MLK) so you could say they had an unlucky playoff draw.
Anyways, Nolan Ray Nolan Ray 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Brother Rice | 2023 State MI had consistently been one of the best backs in Michigan and he could be a beast at Maryland. His departure will hurt the offense, and although they might have some good young talent to put in the RB position, I haven’t been overly impressed. Thoguh in terms of Marrogy, he had an up-and-down season at QB. If I were to guess, he’d be the QB once again this fall, but there’s a chance he isn’t. Either way, Blake will be a huge part of this team as he’s able to play any skill position.
Catholic Central
Best Returner – Beau Jackson Beau Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB West Bloomfield | 2025 State MI (QB)
Shoes to Fill – Brayden Courser Brayden Courser 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Detroit Catholic Central | 2023 State MI (LB)
it’s a new era for CC football, with a ton of senior departures plus a new head coach. With Brayden Courser Brayden Courser 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Detroit Catholic Central | 2023 State MI and a ton of other key defensive piees heading out, it’s going to be interesting to see how the defense returns in the fall. Thankfully, they have a stud up-and-comer QB in Beau Jackson Beau Jackson 6'4" | 215 lbs | QB West Bloomfield | 2025 State MI , and a head coach that will allow him to meet his potential. I’m very interested to see how CC relaods.
St. Mary’s
Best Returner – AJ Marks AJ Marks 5'8" | 140 lbs | DB Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2026 MI (DB)
Shoes to Fill – Ryan Mooney Ryan Mooney 6'4" | 170 lbs | WR St. Mary's | 2024 State MI (WR)
OLSM finished last in the league last year with an insane schedule. They had a good amountof senior talent, headlined by Harvard signee Ryan Mooney Ryan Mooney 6'4" | 170 lbs | WR St. Mary's | 2024 State MI , though they don’t have the amount of talent leaving as the other programs in this league. Luckily, OLSM has a ton of young talent, of course headlined by AJ Marks AJ Marks 5'8" | 140 lbs | DB Orchard Lake St. Mary's | 2026 MI , who is easily a top 5 player in the class of 2026. I’m excited to see where this program goes.