Greg Baur doesn't think the commitments of three of the players on his varsity football roster at Macomb Dakota High School are part of a grand plan. He thinks that the coordination and choice of school was just how the cards were dealt.
Regardless of whether it was designed from the start or not, DJ Stepney, Eric Reese and Clinton Roberson, all teammates at Dakota, are committed to join Central Michigan's class of 2021. Roberson was the final nail in the coffin, committing to the Chippewas Wednesday afternoon on Twitter.
"(Central Michigan's) been on these guys pretty consistently and I think that's why they got all three of them," Baur, the head coach at Dakota, said. "They were one of the early schools to offer the guys and they were the most consistent schools on all three guys."
Baur also points to a long lasting relationship with Central Michigan offensive line coach Mike Cummings as a key factor of the Chippewas' recruiting success. Cummings, Baur says, has been recruiting the school since it opened.
With the commitments of Stepney, Reese and Roberson, the Chippewas are getting three versatile athletes, two of whom have had success on both sides of the ball. Stepney, who committed on April 28, is the highest rated of the three per 247 Sports. Currently, Stepney is a 3-star and holds a .8484 composite rating on 247 Sports. Stepney is listed as a safety on the recruiting site but is slotted as a running back at the next level.
"He's a super versatile kid," Baur said of Stepney. "He plays multiple position for us. Just the ultimate versatile player there."
In Reese, the Chippewas get a two-way speedster who can bring it on both sides of the field. On 247, Reese is listed as a 3-star cornerback with a .8286 composite rating. Reese is unsure where he will play at the next level, possessing the ability to play at a high level at both corner and wide receiver.
"Eric, he's versatile too," Baur said. "He has excellent speed, really fast kid. He's like a ball of energy, one of those guys who kind of ignites the entire team."
Roberson, a 2-star receiver, brings good size out wide. Standing 6-foot-2, Roberson has the physical traits to play from day one. Baur sang the praises of his wideout's physicality.
"Clinton is a big, strong, physical receiver," Baur said. "Great hands. If you throw him a 50-50 ball, he's coming down with it most of the time."
The trio paced the Cougars a season ago, leading the team to a 6-5 finish. Stepney led the team in rushing, posting 1,226 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Roberson topped the charts in receiving, hauling in a team-high 16 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns. Reese battled a fractured toe and played in just six games.
Though each member of the trio has their own strengths and weaknesses, there is one universal trait they all share.
“There’s a running theme with all three of these kids, they’re all high character kids," Baur said. "(Central Michigan) is getting three really good players but three even better people."
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