Sam Webb: Allen, let’s fast forward to next year’s recruiting class in the state of Michigan. There are a number of prospects already receiving Division I attention. Without putting them in any particular order, can you list the youngsters that stick out to you as the best prospects in the state at this early stage of evaluation?
Allen Trieu: “James Ross, the linebacker from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, is certainly one of the top guys. He already has offers from Michigan and Michigan State. He plans to be at the game (Saturday). Cass Tech has a bunch of juniors. Terry Richardson is a standout corner and Royce Jenkins Stone is an athletic linebacker. Both guys should pick up multiple high-level Division I offers. Their teammate, Laron Taylor, also deserves mention. It’ll be interesting to see who offers him because he is a little bit undersized to play linebacker, but he is one of the top performers I’ve seen. I also think what the speedy running back, Drake Johnson, has been doing over at (Ann Arbor) Pioneer has him up there. The big defensive tackle, Dan O’Brien from Flint Powers, already has two big-time offers from Michigan and Tennessee. He is definitely going to be a high-end guy. There are a number of others that are worthy of mentioning like Kelby Latta from Battle Creek Harper Creek, Dakota Perry from Capac, Detrick Goff from Grand Blanc, Chase Deback over at Charlotte. Those are a few of guys that have intriguing physical ability, but that we need to see more of. Those guys are all looking like Division I prospects and there are a number of others that I didn’t even mention. I think the state is going to be really, really strong next year.”
Sam Webb: You said the state of Michigan is going to be loaded next year relative to its normal level of talent. Word out of Ohio is they’re expecting a bumper crop in 2012 as well. That state already has a reputation for one of the most fertile talent grounds in the country. Does that 2012 mean it will be a gigantic recruiting year in the Buckeye State.
Allen Trieu: “Yes! There are too many elite prospects in that state next year to list in this interview. The defensive end position alone is going to produce a ton of Division I prospects. It is just so deep. At first glance a handful of defensive ends all merit four-star or higher consideration. There’s Se’Von Pittman from Canton McKinney, Adolphus Washington from Cincinnati Taft, LaTroy Lewis from Akron Archbishop Hoban, Greg McMullen from Akron Archbishop Hoban, Tom Strobel from Mentor and Chris Wormley from Toledo Whitmer. Those are a few of the top-level defensive ends that we’ve noticed so far. There definitely will be more that emerge in the coming months. Then we haven’t even begun to talk about the big-time talent at the other positions like running back. That state is absolutely loaded.”