​Update, July 10: Congratulations to Donald Tabron of Detroit Cass Tech for being voted the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Football Preseason Athlete of the Year. It’s now time to vote for the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Boys Preseason Football Player of the Year. This week’s poll highlights six football players from southeast Michigan who are expected to have standout seasons in 2026-27. Voting closes at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 9. The nominees, listed in alphabetical order by last name, are as follows:
Detroit Country Day’s Anthony Cartwright, a dynamic playmaker who caught a pass in a Sept. 6, 2025, game at Joseph P. Healey Field. Cartwright enters as the No. 8 recruit in Michigan’s 2027 class according to 247Sports, and he aims to lead Country Day to a state championship game for the first time since 2020. He earned Division 4 All-State honors last season, contributing at tight end, receiver, defensive end, and Wildcat quarterback. This past year, he compiled 42 receptions for 638 yards and eight total touchdowns, added 48 tackles, six sacks, and four forced fumbles. Cartwright has committed to Oregon after graduation, one of two players on this list with that destination in mind.
Detroit Catholic Central’s Gideon Gash, a junior wide receiver who also plays multiple sports for the Shamrocks, will be in his final high school football season as he tries to help Catholic Central reclaim a state title and become back-to-back champions for the first time in more than two decades. Gash ranks as Michigan’s No. 2 recruit in the 2027 class and has verbally committed to Texas Tech. He contributed on both sides of the ball for the Shamrocks last season, recording 20 receptions for 11 touchdowns and 740 receiving yards on offense, while collecting 78 tackles, seven pass breakups, and three interceptions on defense.
Harper Woods’ Dakota Guerrant, a standout wide receiver and the top recruit in Michigan’s 2027 class, looks to build on last season’s success and guide his team to a state championship for the first time since 2023. Guerrant helped lead Harper Woods to an undefeated regular season (9-0) and secured two playoff victories before they fell to the eventual Division 4 champions Divine Child, 10-6, in the regional round. He finished his junior year with 59 receptions for 1,217 yards and 27 touchdowns, plus 600 rushing yards and three touchdowns as a returner. Guerrant committed to Oregon, announced on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show on June 16.
Howell’s Bryce Kish, a Clemson commit who is ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 12 linebacker in the nation according to 247Sports, will transition to playing linebacker in college. Kish is expected to bring his versatility and high-level play to the field this season as he looks to help Howell achieve a strong season and contend for playoff success.