There is an easy way about DeAnthony Arnett. It comes across as quiet swagger, but those who know him will tell you it is the naivety of youth. Whatever it is, the unassuming Arnett is on the verge of becoming a household name and does not realize it yet.
“He’s been practicing since he was 9 years old,” says older brother Ralph Arnett, “it is crazy how good of an athlete he is and he doesn’t even understand that yet.”
DeAnthony looks like your average sophomore. He is 5’11 and at 160-lbs, still has some filling out to do. He first made his mark at the Score 6 Academy in Lansing this summer, where one D2 coach (the only coaches allowed to attend such an event), pegged him as one of the camp’s top receivers only to later be surprised with the knowledge that he was looking at a kid just coming out of his freshman season.
From there, DeAnthony went to the Michigan Wolverines’ summer camp, where he was moved into a top group of wide receivers and competed (and held his own) against several top senior defensive backs. Since then, the Wolverines and other schools like Michigan State, Ball State and Iowa have shown interest, especially in making sure he stays on the right path.
“At the Michigan game, he talked to Coach Dews, Coach Jackson and Coach Rodriguez,” Ralph said, “They want to make sure he keeps his head up, keeps doing good and they asked him how he’s doing this year and made sure he’s staying on top of his books.”
For DeAnthony, a 3.0 student, that should not be a problem. Neither is maintaining success on the field, as he has been the Trojans’ big play guy, averaging over 24 yards a catch and catching four touchdowns; this following a 19 touchdown season on Saginaw Arthur Hill’s junior varsity.
“He transferred (from Arthur Hill) because he had been working out with Saginaw for so long that he just wasn’t comfortable at Arthur Hill. He was desperate to get back to Saginaw,” his brother explained.
Among those he had trained with at Saginaw were alums like Charles Rogers and Lamarr Woodley, both former Trojans turned NFL players. Rogers, a fellow wide receiver, passed on some lessons Arnett still remembers to this day.
“When I was a lot younger, he was at the high school,” DeAnthony explained, “I was like 11 or 12 and he was in the NFL and he taught me how to get off the ball.”
More importantly, several former Saginaw High standouts have made sure youngsters like DeAnthony receive the off the field guidance they need.
“It is hard coming from where come from,” Ralph says, “He’s worked so hard, I’m so happy for him. He’s worked with all the best athletes to come from Saginaw and they all encourage him to do good in life. All the sports definitely keep him out of trouble. The environment we grew up in, he’s seen it all first hand. Football, basketball, track, it all keeps him busy and AAU and football camps keep him out of harm’s way.”
Also a basketball standout, DeAnthony says he would like to attempt to play both sports in college. While it is early, he knows schools are watching him closely.
“Michigan said they want me to keep coming to the games and make sure I’ll be there. I thought the Wisconsin game was real good, real exciting when Michigan came all the way back. I went to the Michigan State-Notre Dame game too, I thought it was real good. That was my first time at Michigan State.”
It certainly will not be the last college visit he takes though, as DeAnthony is poised to become the next college prospect to come out of Saginaw. With that in mind, the Arnett’s are already making sure all their i’s are dotted and their t’s are crossed.
“We have another older brother, he works a lot, but he takes good care of DeAnthony,” Ralph said, “It is us three and my mom. We make sure he stays busy and stays on the right track. He’s gearing up to take the ACT for the first time on December 13 and he will take it every time from here on out until he gets a good enough score.”
Ironic that although it has been DeAnthony making all the spectacular catches, he is actually the one who is in good hands.
DeAnthony at Michigan's summer camp