State Contender Profile: Detroit King Crusaders

<strong>Head Coach:</strong> Ty Spencer <strong>Division:</strong> 3 <strong>Conference:</strong> Detroit Public School League – Black <strong>2019 Overall Record:</strong> 11-3 <strong>Returning Key Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"] | QB | 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="29540" first="Jaylen" last="Reed"] | DB | 2021 <em>(Penn State commit)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="29560" first="Brandon" last="Honorable"] | OL | 2021 <em>(Pittsburgh commit)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="29580" first="Esean" last="Carter"] | DL | 2021 <em>(Toledo commit)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="30317" first="Johnathan" last="Slack"] | OL | 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="29601" first="Rishad" last="Hence"] | DB | 2021 <em>(Akron commit)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="30148" first="Lynn" last="Wyche-El"] | WR | 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="30319" first="Kenny" last="Merrieweather"] | WR | 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="29633" first="Aaron" last="Wade"] | DB | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="29667" first="Justin" last="Whyte"] | RB | 2021 <strong>Analysis: </strong>Detroit King was bested by Mona Shores in the state finals last season, but they return in 2020 as arguably the top team in the entire state. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="30316" first="Dante" last="Moore"] returns as the starter under center after putting together a brilliant freshman season in 2019. He’ll have plenty of weapons to work with, which includes senior running back [player_tooltip player_id="29667" first="Justin" last="Whyte"], junior receiver [player_tooltip player_id="30148" first="Lynn" last="Wyche-El"] and fellow sophomore receiver [player_tooltip player_id="30319" first="Kenny" last="Merrieweather"]. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="30317" first="Johnathan" last="Slack"] and seniors [player_tooltip player_id="29560" first="Brandon" last="Honorable"] and [player_tooltip player_id="29681" first="Elijah" last="Reilly"] lead the offensive line that will be tasked with protecting all of that talent at the skill positions. The Crusaders return probably the most talented defense in the state, which is lead by senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="29540" first="Jaylen" last="Reed"]. The talent in the secondary doesn’t stop at Reed as [player_tooltip player_id="29601" first="Rishad" last="Hence"], [player_tooltip player_id="29633" first="Aaron" last="Wade"] and Trae’vion Meadows are all collegiate level talents. Detroit King is loaded on the defensive line with senior [player_tooltip player_id="29580" first="Esean" last="Carter"], senior [player_tooltip player_id="29659" first="Walter" last="Herndon III"], junior [player_tooltip player_id="30289" first="Terell" last="Hollingsworth"] and junior [player_tooltip player_id="30181" first="Terence" last="Maize"]. Junior linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="30213" first="Blake" last="Bailiff"] and [player_tooltip player_id="30301" first="Imani" last="Dowdell"] are players that could be fast risers on the recruiting front as they will be key to the team’s success. The team returns much more talent than I was able to talk about, which is why this team is a safe bet to return to the state finals and take home the title in 2020.