Fresh Blood: 2011 Detroit Recruiting Class

From the official press release this winter (and another release this spring for Mike Birney), here is Detroit’s 2011 recruiting class, who will compete as freshmen in 2012:

Brandon Beauregard * A * 5-9 * 150 * Clarkston, MI * Notre Dame Prep

1st-Team All-State in Division 2 two years running, also named a 2-time All-American. Notre Dame Prep fell to Country Day 5-8 in the State semifinals, and were the runners-up to Forest Hills Central in 2010. He put in 71 goals and added 58 assists for the Fighting Irish. His junior-season highlight:

Damie Danseglio * G * 5-9 * 170 * Sayville, NY * Connetquot

He’s not only a goalie, but also an occasional LSM at the high school level, speaking to pretty good athleticism for a netminder. Coach Holtz’s comments:

“Damie is a very smart player. He is an aggressive ball stopper who plays with poise.”

A three-year varsity player from Long Island is no small signee for Detroit (no pun intended).

Joe Gifford * D * 6-0 * 200 * Rochester Hills, MI * Notre Dame Prep

He was a 1st-Team All-State selection in 2011, but was not a unanimous selection, and therefore not eligible for All-American honors. He was a second-teamer in 2010. He was named second-team All-Oakland County.

Tyler Harper * M * 5-7 * 150 * Baldwin, NY * Baldwin

The former high school teammate of freshman Titan Troy Dennis is rejoining his compatriot in the Motor City. He’s a member of the Long Island Express club team, and here’s what Coach Holtz had to say about his game:

“Tyler is a great two-sport athlete playing football and lacrosse. He will help us not only at the faceoff X, but he also has the ability to contribute on offense and defense.”

He’s the only faceoff specialist listed in the class, so as I’ve previously covered, any improvement at the X will likely come from players already on the roster.

Chris Kelly * G * 6-3 * 215 * Valrico, FL * Saint Andrews School

Physically, he’s the opposite of the other goalie signee in the class. Whereas Danseglio is a little guy, Kelly has great size, both from a height and weight perspective. He can fill up a lot of the net without moving much, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the reflexes required to play in goal. Here’s a highlight from his tryout for Team Florida:

Chris Mandell * M * 5-10 * 150 * Sterling Heights, MI * De La Salle

He was not named All-State as a senior, but he was a second-teamer for De La Salle as a junior. He played his high school club ball with 1763 Lacrosse, out of All-American in Pontiac.

Chris Shevins * D * 6-1 * 205 * Merrick, NY * Mepham

Chris Shevins (Photo via The Long Island Herald)

Whereas the past couple Detroit classes had a big Canadian influence, the class of ’11 has much more of a Long Island flavor, as Shevins is the third signee from the hotbed. Holtz’s comment:

“Chris is a physical defender who can have an immediate impact for us. He plays very hard and very smart”.

He’s mentioned as a contributor in many articles about Mepham, but (as is expected for defenders, I’ve come to learn) there are very few specifics on his game available.

Tyler Schroer * A * 5-11 * 185 * Lakewood Ranch, FL * Lakewood Ranch 

To make up for the lack of Canadians in this class, Schroer gets some love from Coach Holtz for a Canadian style:

“Tyler is a strong lefty who plays with almost a Canadian style, despite being from Florida. He will fit in well as a finisher on the offensive end of the field.”

Lefty finishers are always important (duh). Check out Tyler’s Youtube highlight.

Mike Birney * M * 6-1 * 185 * Plymouth, MI * Catholic Central 

Catholic Central's Mike Birney (Photo via the Oakland Press)

Birney was a 2nd-Team All-Stater as a junior, and was named to the First Team as a senior, also taking home All-American honors in his final year at Catholic Central. I took in a CC game, and you can see my report here. Comments on Birney from his All-Oakland selection:

Birney is an all-around athlete who really excelled in his role on the Catholic Central lacrosse field. A team captain this season, Birney also showed his leadership on the grid iron in the fall, serving as the starting quarterback for the Shamrocks this past season.

CC’s season ended abruptly with an upset loss to Novi, but the Shamrocks were runners-up to Brother Rice in 2010. The football season also went well for CC, falling in the quarterfinals with Birney at the helm.