Wilcher impressive in Massillon

Detroit Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher has sent his players to schools like Michigan, Ohio State, LSU and Oregon over the years, but now he is helping with the recruitment of his own son. After more performances like the one this past weekend, however, athlete Kishon Wilcher may not need much help attracting colleges.

The 5-6, 154-pound Wilcher took part in the NIKE Football Combine in Massillon, Ohio, and out of approximately 1,000 competitors, Wilcher posted the fastest 40-yard dash with a time of 4.43. He also ran a 4.38 shuttle time, had a 37-inch vertical and hit 38 feet in the power ball for a SPARQ Rating of 106. 98.

"It went real well," Wilcher said of his combine performance. "I think I have a lot of room for improvement, though. I did real well in the 40, but it could have been better. My shuttle could have been better too."

Wilcher has the speed, the strength and the athleticism that college coaches like. His father played for Bo Schembechler at Michigan in the 1980's and later for the NFL's San Diego Chargers, so Wilcher also has good blood lines. The one thing Wilcher does not have is ideal size, but he accounts for that in his approach to the game.

"That's one thing I think about a lot, but I just get in that weight room and prove them wrong," Wilcher said. "I look at it like, it's not the size of the player, it's how much heart the player has."

Several colleges have already been attracted to Wilcher's athleticism and style of play. He does not hold any scholarship offers yet, but is receiving attention from several BCS Conference programs.

"Iowa sends me a lot of mail. As soon as track settles down, I'll probably visit out there," Wilcher said. "Michigan sends me mail and I've been getting mail from Syracuse too."

Wilcher sees camps and combines as his best shot to attract the attention of top college programs and his father encourages him to compete in as many of those style events as possible.

"He says to go against the top athletes, and if I do good against them it will get my name out there," Wilcher said.

At the U.S. Army Junior Combine in January and the Michigan Football Showcase in February, Wilcher did challenge the top prospects and often times came out on top, whether he was running at wide receiver or cornerback. Wilcher could play either position at the college level, but he prefers offense.

"I like slot a lot. I think I play better on offense," Wilcher said. "Iowa, I think, is recruiting me for offense as a slot."

Wilcher will continue his off-season progress this spring by competing with Cass Tech's track team, where he will run the 200 meters and 4x200 meter relay.