East Detroit High School has been kind to the Oakland County prep football landscape the past year.

First, it gave the OC Ron Thompson.

Transfering to Southfield from East Detroit last spring, Thompson (Syracuse) was named all-state at the tight end spot back in the fall while helping the Blue Jays win a district championship.

Now, East Detroit has given us Michael Cleveland, a top-flight DB/WR, who landed at Oak Park this past semester and is expected to be one of the leaders of the Knights gridiron gang in the fall.

A two-year starter for East Detroit, Cleveland (5-10, 160) is known for being a lockdown corner with speed. He has been timed as fast as 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and doesn't shy away from knocking pads; this kid can jam receivers at the line with the best there is in the area.

Offensively, Cleveland will fit in nicely besides Oak Park's No. 1 wide out Brandon Harding, lining up in the slot and giving quarterback Nate Simms a pair of dangerous targets to throw to and try to stretch the field with.

The fact that head coach Greg Carter and the Knights have a highly-touted transfer set to make an impact in 2012 should come as no surprise to anyone who follows the local high school football scene.

Last year, Carter, one of the state's most prolific sideline generals having raised four state title banners in 21 years wearing the headphones, came to Oak Park and brought with him close to two dozen transfers, causing quite a stir in the area's coaching ranks.

Despite the influx of talent last fall, Carter's Knights had trouble finishing games and hurt themselves with a series of inopportune penalties in concluding the campaign 3-6. Their record would have been 4-5, however, they were forced to forfeit an early-season win against Detroit Loyola for using an ineligible player.

With a year of Carter's system installed under the program's belt at Oak Park and a skilled group of players returning – Harding, Simms, RB Malik Washington, DE/TE Jayvon Tate –, pundits expect the Knights to be a contender this fall and seriously challenge for the school's first playoff appearance since 2005.

Cleveland will no doubt help the OP's cause significantly.