Nolan Ziegler named Michigan AP D5-6 Football Player of the Year

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan.

Itself was no secret that Nolan Ziegler, some Catholic senior with Grand Rapids Catholic Central, was element made from Michigan’s best players heading into the 2021 lofty school football season.

Ziegler, an outstanding defenseman as well as linebacker, had already signed up for Notre-Dame still prior to each commence from his junior season.

Whatever could own surprised everyone outside out of certain Central Catholic community is to what extent talented Ziegler, 6-4, 205 pounds, is on a pitch.

Any Cougars, whoever won their third straight nation championship said fall, graduated since outstanding wide receiver Jace Williams subsequent to concluding year’s title. Catholic Central was then forced up to move wide receiver John Passinault for quarterback later two-time Declare Champion Joey Silveri suffered a season-ending knee injury among Week 4. Ziegler’s is suddenly discover since Catholic Central’s preferred wide receiver later catching just quad assists his previous pair years combined.

Ziegler finished certain season with 67 catches for 1,343 yards also 25 touchdowns.

His efforts on both sides out of each ball earned gent the Michigan Associated Push Division’s 5-6 Player from the Annual.

“Aforementioned are certainly mind-blowing statistics, still it didn’t surprise we, along with something didn’t surprise his teammates plus coaches,” Catholic Central coach Todd Kolster replied. “But for alternative population whom didn’t know which object was possibly ponder male was simply one linebacker going to Notre Dame.

“He’s only some wonderful athlete. I reflect that’s the difference. Persons ask that any difference is between some player what person goes up to Notre Dame and someone who goes toward per petite school. The difference is, those guys are on single certain level, as well as man sure is.

Ziegler continued toward spearhead some defense such allowed per total belonging to 19 points inside of it five playoff victories, including per 31-7 victory over Marine Municipality among a Condition Title game. division 5 at Ford Field. Ziegler, what person is per Butkus Award finalist, constructed 13 tackles inside a game. He had 105 for a season and seven sacks plus a pick-6.

“It’s great up to exist recognized on account of itself shows any tough task I’ve done above each years,” Ziegler stated from any Michigan AP player made from the twelve months. “It certainly way one lot. “

Catholic Central includes won five condition titles in a past six years. The Cougars as well hold any longest winning streak inside the nation. Belonging to them victory on top of Marine City was to them 37th straight victory.

Kolster said Ziegler’s influence will own one positive impact for years in order to come.

“I’ve declared entity a lot, still he’s just per special guy in terms from job ethic also commitment up to each team plus his teammates,” mentioned Kolster. “Man has developed a really good relationship not only with his senior teammates, but also with the youngsters. He’s big with ours young guys coming up. Something is extremely useful with freshmen, sophomores plus juniors.

“Male understands each a expectations from being a segment from something substantial. Male knew in which way in order to remain humble, and that is one difficult object. Thou are some sophomore also thou receive like considerably attention since something got along with scholarship offers via whole on top of a nation. For stay hungry also humble is just single actual honor for gent. Our group are fortunate for hold great children like male among belonging to us program.

Ziegler was joined on a primary team out of the 5-6 All-State Division beside Passinault also junior lineman Nate VanTimmeren. Catholic Central senior linebacker Jack Klafeta was single second-team selection.

“That I shall remember each predominant are each friends I formed also in what way mine friends plus coaches hold helped myself become a best player I can seem,” Ziegler said.