Tecumseh's AJ Bryan repeats as Lenawee County Football Player of the Year
TECUMSEH — Tecumseh's A.J. Bryan put together quite the high school football career.
The numbers speak for themselves.
In three seasons Bryan rushed for 3,661 yards and 67 touchdowns, he caught 91 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 more touchdowns, he returned three kicks for touchdowns, he made 62.5 tackles, two sacks, had a forced fumble and picked off a pass.
"AJ is the kid you want to strive to be like," coach Greg Dolson said. "He's a great football player, but more importantly, he's a great person."
Bryan himself only cared about one number in his career, 19, the number of wins Tecumseh stacked up in his three seasons, including a 9-0 regular season in 2022. Tecumseh only had 17 wins the six previous seasons combined.
"The Chelsea game my junior, taking down the SEC champions, that was awesome," Bryan said. "This year we started 1-3 and bounced back winning four of our last five. Then going neck-in-neck with Chelsea in my last game every was awesome. I was blessed to play with the friends I had and the coaches I had."
After another tremendous season, Bryan has earned now back-to-back Lenawee County Football Player of the Year honors with 1,225 yards rushing, 22 touchdowns, 492 yards receiving, eight touchdowns, 30 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Bryan, being a humble leader, credited everyone around him for his success. From his coaches, to the offensive line and his quarterback.
"I had an amazing coaching staff and my friends all around me," Bryan said. "My quarterback Tyler Clement, offensive line like Maxwell Bledsoe and Ashton Platt and I was impressed with them and how much they could give to me. I was blessed to play for Tecumseh in such a great community."
With the numbers he put up, there's no question Bryan will play at the next level.
The question remains is where will he play.
Bryan has yet to make a decision and won't announce his choice until closer to signing day in February. But there are front runners for the versatile back.
Bryan is interested in Yale of the Ivy League, Lehigh of the Patriot League and Division II Hillsdale.
His ultimate decision, however, won't be solely based on playing time or what position coaches will place him, but what schools can offer him off the field, in the classroom.
"Academics is my No. 1," Bryan said. "That's my highest priority. I want to do something with economics or business for sure, some type of finance or marketing. That's what I want to study."
ALL-COUNTY FOOTBALL TEAMS
Player of the Year: A.J. Bryan, Tecumseh
8-Player Player of the Year: Sam Lutz, Lenawee Christian
Coach of the Year: Joshua Lindeman, Addison/Bill Wilharms, Lenawee Christian
Offensive Player of the Year: Nik Shadley, Clinton
Defensive Player of the Year: Jaden Jankowski, Adrian
First Team Offense
QB - Sam Lutz, LCS
QB - Sean Parker, Adrian
RB - Spencer Brown, Addison
RB - AJ Bryan, Tecumseh
RB - Nik Shadley, Clinton
RB - Brennan Marshall, Hudson
OL - Gabe Pepper, Addison
OL - Wyatt Hicks, Clinton
OL - Nate Page, Clinton
OL - Malachi Marshall, Hudson
OL - Max Bledsoe, Tecumseh
OL - Tyler Salenbien, LCS
WR - Quinn Hiram, Onsted
WR - Thomas Dayharsh, Adrian
WR - Easton Boggs, LCS
K - Eli Brainard, LCS
First Team Defense
DL - Jaden Jankowski, Adrian
DL - Julius Brown, Blissfield
DL - Cam Miller, Hudson
DL - Teddy Pizio, Clinton
DL - Reid Hulett, Sand Creek
LB - Paul Towler, LCS
LB - Jacob Pickford, Hudson
LB - Ryan Barrie, Tecumseh
LB - Chase Cowen, Adrian
DB - Carson Preston, Sand Creek
DB - Austin Marry, Hudson
DB - Aidan Paquin, Onsted
DB - Joey Preston, Clinton
DB - Griffin Amthor, Onsted
Second Team Offense
QB - Jack Deatrick, Blissfield
QB - Hunter Kelley, Onsted
RB - Kassidy Lenz, Blissfield
RB - Ivan Wilkinson, Sand Creek
RB - Blake Drogowski, LCS
RB - Beckett McCaskey, Hudson
RB - Chase Henline, Adrian
OL - Avery Lewis, Adrian
OL - Julius Brown, Blissfield
OL - Jacob Schamberger, Sand Creek
OL - Daniel Meckley, Sand Creek
OL - Matthew Houttekier, Blissfield
OL - Colin Johnson, BD
WR - Gunner Demeuse, Addison
WR - JT Hill, Onsted
WR - Tristan Hayes, Adrian
K - Dove Eitzen, Blissfield
Second Team Defense
DL - Reid Hulett, Sand Creek
DL - Aden Anspach, BD
DL - Nathan Lakatos, Sand Creek
DL - Cole Marry, Hudson
DL - Logan Ryan, Hudson
LB - Jordan Illenden, Sand Creek
LB - Kip Fisher, Blissfield
LB - Jacob Felts, Clinton
LB - Cole Breitenwischer, Clinton
LB - Bryce Randolph, Clinton
LB - Antonio Brown, Adrian
DB - Brayden Shiels, BD
DB - Andy Fair, Clinton
DB - Josh Ray, Addison
DB - Leland Smith, BD
DB - Jesse Miller, LCS
Honorable Mention
Addison - Mike Trumble, Byron Creech, Heith Burston, Jaxen Sword, Jaxon Whittemore, Quincy Smith, Rowden DiDomenico
Adrian - Caden Robertson, Chad Dayharsh, Zach Hassan, Radon Love, Sidnei Tindall
Blissfield - AJ Weirich
Clinton - Mason Brodie, Teddy Pizio, Tyrus Hayes
Hudson - Barron Mansfield, Bradley Bertram, Cam Miller, Colton Natale, Coy Perry, KJ Walker, RJ Thompson
Lenawee Christian - Brenner Powers, Elijah Lutz, Levi Beach, Max Stamats, Seth Davis
Madison - Brian Dopp, Bryce Jordan, Cam Grof
Morenci - Michael Rising, Shamus Alcock
Tecumseh - Tyler Clement, Max Danley, Jack Laney, Declan Cornish, Ashton Platt
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Tecumseh's AJ Bryan repeats as Lenawee County Football Player of the Year
