Detroit Cass Tech celebrates 'legendary' 2026 class on signing day

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Detroit Cass Tech celebrates 'legendary' 2026 class on signing day

Forty-one wins, four city championships, one state championship and two state finals appearances later, the heralded senior class for Detroit Cass Tech took the next step in their playing careers on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Seven Cass Tech athletes, including six football players who just finished as Division I runner-ups, signed their national letter of intent to Division 1 college athletic programs inside of Cass Tech’s gymnasium Wednesday morning. The players confirmed their college destinations in front of a full gym of their fellow students, teammates, family members, coaches and school staff, celebrating all they’ve accomplished during their high school careers.

The festivities started by honoring MaKayla Galloway, a girls’ soccer player headed to Texas to play for Abilene Christian. She received raucous applause from her peers and administrators as she thanked them for support and guidance.

The football players spoke after. The six who signed:

*Prospect ranking according to 247 Sports’ composite in the state of Michigan

  • Receiver/defensive back C.J. Sadler (North Carolina), No. 1 in the state.
  • Linebacker/nickelback Marcus Jennings (Pittsburgh), No. 12.
  • Left tackle Khalief Canty Jr. (Missouri), No. 14.
  • Linebacker B.J. Stovall (Toledo), No. 41.
  • Defensive end Darrius Summers (Northern Illinois), No. 62.
  • Defensive back Emory Jones III (Dartmouth), N/A.

“They meant everything,” Cass Tech coach Marvin Rushing said. “One of the biggest things I’m proud of, the most important thing, was the [team’s] 3.26 overall grade point average. A majority of my kids were over a 3.0. They reflected that academically, their leadership in the building and on the field.

“They had the chance of playing in 56 games. They played in 52 games, 41-11 record, three final fours, two semifinals, one state championship and four city championships. They set the standard of excellence in the building academically, socially and athletically.”

Cass Tech High School student Marcus Jennings is hugged by his mother ShaJuan Moorer while taking photos in front of a flag after announcing he will be attending University of Pittsburgh to play football. It was part of the Detroit school's National Early Signing Day event where student athletes discussed their college choices on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.

Though the wounds were still fresh among players and coaches from Cass Tech’s 42-19 loss in Sunday’s state finals to Novi Detroit Catholic Central, it did not dampen the celebration three days later.

“We didn’t win Sunday, but we accomplished a lot of things with this 2026 class,” Sadler said. “These last four years have been great. I enjoyed it. I love and appreciate everybody here. But this is only the beginning for us.”

“I think this class, the 2026 class, is legendary,” Canty said.

How Cass Tech players chose college destinations

Cass Tech High School student Corey Sadler speaks to the crowd while thanking those that helped him during his time at the Detroit school while announcing he has chosen to attend and play football at University of North Carolina. It was part of Cass Techl's National Early Signing Day event where student athletes discussed their college choices on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.

The Technicians are sending representatives to the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Southeastern Conference, the Mid-American Conference and the Ivy League.

According to Rushing, Jones is the first Cass Tech player since at least 1989, and potentially the first in program history, to enroll to play football for an Ivy League school. Jones chose Dartmouth, where he will study journalism, because of the academic pedigree.

“It’s a prestigious school, an Ivy League school,” Jones said. “I believe I’m the first Cass Tech player to go to [an Ivy], so that means a lot. And, I’m going to one of the most winning programs in the league.”

Sadler, Jennings and Canty opted to go out of state to high-major programs rather than sticking close to home because of the bonds they built with those programs. Sadler had Michigan as one of his final schools before choosing UNC, Canty chose Missouri over Michigan State and Jennings remained locked in with Pittsburgh despite a late offer and interest from Michigan.

Michigan has signed just one Cass Tech player since the class of 2017 (offensive lineman Raheem Anderson, 2021 class). MSU has signed two Cass Tech players signed since the class of 2018 (running back Jaren Mangham and defensive lineman Jalen Thompson, 2023 class).

“I shook coach [Pat] Narduzzi’s hand,” Jennings said. “My dad told me, you shake a man’s hand, look in his eyes and give him my word. I knew I was going to Pittsburgh since March 23rd, when I committed. From that day on, anybody could offer me but nobody had a shot.”

“Coach [Bill] Belichick, I know he’s going to put me in the right position and set me up for greatness beyond football,” Sadler said.

“For me, I wanted to go play where the big dogs are at and that’s the SEC,” Canty said.

Nominate a high school athlete for the Detroit Free Press boys and girls athlete of the week.

Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Cass Tech celebrates ‘legendary’ 2026 class on signing day

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