PREP FOOTBALL Warren Harding's Burgess verbally commits to Michigan

The senior defensive back was considered one of Ohio's top recruits.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Just days after Ohio State won the national college football championship, Warren Harding High senior Prescott Burgess decided to play for the Buckeyes' biggest rival.
A 6-foot-3, 226-pound strong safety, Burgess committed to the University of Michigan.
Burgess made the decision public Sunday night during ESPN2's broadcast of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, an all-star game for high school seniors played in San Antonio.
Coach's reaction
Reached in New Orleans, where he's attending a coaches convention until Thursday, Harding coach Thom McDaniels said he had not been told by Burgess about the decision.
"It sounds like that's what happened," said McDaniels, who also heard the news from various sources. "I'm not shocked by it. I think Michigan was the front-runner all along."
McDaniels said Burgess was going to take his college visits and still had Tennessee and Florida on his list.
"Something changed his mind," McDaniels said.
Entering his senior season, Burgess was labeled as one of Ohio's top high school players and potential recruits.
"I thought he was an impact player on the defensive side of the ball, similar to what Maurice [Clarett] was on the offensive side," said McDaniels, referring to his former running back who helped the Buckeyes win the national title. "He's a difference-maker."
But a shoulder injury during Burgess' senior season limited his playing time as the Raiders finished as the Division I state runner-up, losing to Cincinnati Elder.
"Sure we would have liked to have had him [at full strength]," McDaniels said. "But it's a credit to the rest of the kids that we were able to win while he was out."
Burgess will join two other area players in Ann Arbor. Warren Harding graduate Carl Diggs is a redshirt junior linebacker there, while Sharon's graduate Marlin Jackson is a sophomore cornerback.
"His best football is ahead of him, whether it's in college or at the next level," McDaniels said of Burgess. "He's a kid who's going to get thicker and bigger.
"Maybe he'll outgrow the safety position," McDaniels added. "Maybe he'll grow into a linebacker, although the pros like safeties big, too."
College decisions
Warren Harding's roster was filled with Div. I college talent.
Senior quarterback Mike Kokal has committed to Miami (Ohio), while defensive back Mike Phillips is weighing his decision. A report that he had decided on Pittsburgh was untrue, McDaniels said.
Also for the Raiders, senior receiver Treymayne Warfield and senior running back/defensive back Rob Massucci are in the process of making their decisions. Both were supposed to visit Youngstown State, McDaniels said.
Looking ahead to next season, Warren Harding will have the services of junior Delbert Ferguson, an All-Ohio running back and Div. I college prospect who transferred from Ursuline.
Valley representation
Ursuline senior tight end Louis Irizarry, who has committed to Ohio State, also played in Sunday night's all-star game with Burgess.
Their East team defeated the West 47-3.
richesson@vindy.com