2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: No. 15 Cass Tech

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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 15 Cass Tech
Host Zack Poff breaks down the Technicians' prospects this season, complete with video highlights.

Head coach: Thomas Wilcher

Last season: 14-0, No. 14 national ranking, won state Division 1 title

Last decade: 105-22, three state titles

Famous alumni/players: Motown legend/actress Diana Ross, comedian/actress Lily Tomlin, actor/comedian David Alan Grier, Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn, former NFL DE Vernon Gholston, 2016 MaxPreps All-American Donovan Peoples-Jones
PLAYERS TO WATCH

CB Kalon Gervin (5-11, 180, Sr.) — The state's No. 2 recruit has a whopping 41 college offers.

S DeAndre Square (6-1, 200, Sr.) — The Kentucky-bound standout is the state's No. 8 recruit.

WR Brandon Gray (6-5, 172, Sr.) — Big, long target has 17 college offers.

DE Andre Carter (6-4, 230, Sr.) — Already committed to Western Michigan.

QB Aaron Jackson (6-2, 210, Sr.) — Eastern Michigan commit leads the offense.
KEY GAME

Aug. 25 — vs. Pickerington Central (Ohio)
STORYLINES

* A transfer from Southfield AT&T, Gray might be the state's breakout player of the year and perhaps take the sting out of losing Peoples-Jones.

* Wilcher, in his 18th season, is also the school track and field coach. All the skill football players run track, so the football team is always fast and in shape.

* With six more scholarship players, including outside linebacker Dyontae Johnson (6-2, 191) to Toledo, Wilcher has helped more than 25 Technicians land college scholarships.

* Cass Tech also received another top transfer from Southfield AT&T in 6-foot, 195-pound running back Arthur "Lew" Nichols, who rushed for 1,328 yards and eight TDs as a sophomore.

* Other top prospects are versatile Jaren Mangham (6-1, 212), the state's sixth-ranked junior who has 29 college offers, and cornerback Xavier Goldsmith (5-8, 160), who has 27 offers.