Premier MHSAA football recruit trades lacrosse for track

Detroit Catholic Central brothers Samson Gash (5) and Gideon Gash (11) celebrate a touchdown against Detroit Cass Tech in the Division 1 State Championship at Ford Field on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025.

Gash's natural talents are as apparent on the track as they are on the football field, where he earned first-team All-State honors in the fall. Gash was a lockdown cornerback for DCC, the Division 1 state champions with the state's best defense, and caught three deep touchdown passes in the 42-19 state title win over Detroit Cass Tech.

In the winter, Gash earned All-Catholic honors as a starting forward for the 17-7 Shamrocks basketball squad that reached regionals. Now, he's doing the same for the track team.

"He's an overall athlete," said Catholic Central track and field coach Tiberia Patterson. "That's the best way I can put it. The things he does, you can't teach that. It is God-given."

And he has had that impact while still refining his technique. Gash came in with a mindset of "just running" and has had to work on his running posture, his starts and his foot placement on the run-up for the long jump. Gash plans to enroll in college early, which means this season is his only chance for track.

"There are levels to track, I've realized," Gash said. "I'm just putting in that extra work to try to balance the table. I try to run after Samson after practice, but he's a different kind of speed."

The track schedule has allowed Gash to put the requisite focus on his football recruiting, which has picked up significantly as he enters his final summer of high school. Gash has been attending camps and setting up official visits as he whittles down his list. As of now, Michigan State, Michigan and LSU are at the top of his consideration.

He has leaned on his older brothers, who all have experience with the recruiting process, for advice. Samson and Caleb, both Spartans, are giving straightforward advice with some requests to join them in East Lansing.

"They always say, if it's not the right place for you, walk your own race," Gash said. "They are super-supportive. Obviously, they want me to come play with them but they are super supportive."

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Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gideon Gash trades lacrosse for track, sets Novi DCC records