Cass Tech's Gervin, Mangham provide updates on recruitment
DEARBORN - Two of Michigan State’s top recruiting targets for 2017 and 2018 helped Detroit Cass Tech defeat Dearborn Fordson, 27-22, in Division I District Championship play, Friday at Fordson High School.
Senior defensive back Kalon Gervin and junior athlete/running back Jaren Mangham contributed standout play in helping Detroit Cass Tech (8-2) advance to next week’s Division I Regionals. Cass Tech will play Clinton Township Chippewa Valley next week in hopes of making the trek back to Ford Field, where Cass Tech won the state championships in 2016, ’12 and ’11. Chippewa Valley defeated macomb Dakota, 45-20, on Friday.
“We play hard-core man-to-man,” said Gervin, who is ranked the No. 1 prospect in the state by Rivals.com. “They were real tough and we knew that coming in.
“We can’t celebrate too long. We still have to chase that ring and keep moving forward.”
Gervin continues to include Michigan State among his top six schools. He listed Michigan State, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Florida as his finalists. He is keeping the Gators in the top six for now, despite this week’s firing of former head coach Jim McElwain.
Gervin has taken official visits to Oklahoma, Nebraska and Oregon. He plans to make a decision on Dec. 2 and sing during the new early signing period.
He visited Nebraska last weekend. He took an unofficial visit to Michigan State for the Notre Dame game.
“I’ll take as many officials as I can,” he said.
When asked after Friday’s victory whether Michigan State’s proximity to his home will be a factor in his decision, Gervin said: “Yeah, it plays a big factor. It’s home. They’ve been recruiting (me) for a long time and I’m real cool with the whole staff, I’m real familiar with the whole staff. That plays a big factor, of course.”
He has also noticed that true freshman Josiah Scott has become an immediate starter at cornerback.
“It shows that anything can happen,” Gervin said. “It shows that I can come in and do the same thing. Everything that State is doing right now is really catching my eye.”
Mangham, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound running back, is a physical threat as a running back and receiver. He showed those talents with a pivotal 9-yard touchdown reception on Friday night which gave Cass Tech a 21-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Mangham is ranked the No. 6 junior in Michigan as part of a strong in-state class for 2019.
“I’m going to get a good night rest in and then I’ll be up at Michigan State-Penn State tomorrow,” Mangham said. “I’ve got a great relationship with them (Michigan State). I just talked to Dantonio before the game. He wished me good luck and all of that good stuff. I just have a great relationship with a lot of their coaches and I appreciate everything.”
Mangham said he is hoping to get to meet Le’Veon Bell on Saturday. Bell will be one of Michigan State’s honorary captains for Saturday’s game against the Nittany Lions.
Jim Comparoni contributed to this report.
