By Jalisa Bannerman
SMSB Journalist
Marcello Vitti, the Class of 2026 defensive back at Dearborn Divine Child, is a rising star both on and off the field.
Standing tall at 6 feet and weighing 190 pounds, Vitti has been named First Team All-State by the Associated Press as a DB and First Team All-West as a DB by the Free Press.
In a recent interview, Vitti shared, “I had a lot of personal goals this year. I wanted to play a part in the leadership of my team, and I did that. I also wanted to assert myself as a dominant football player this year even more than a freshman and not have that sophomore slump.” According to Vitti, he was a quiet freshman last year, but he has since used this year to develop his voice within the young team. “I gave some inspirational speeches. I helped my team win games and produced on the field as a running back, defensive player, and a leader.”
The four-star recruit has already received 17 offers from esteemed universities, including Akron, Arkansas, Auburn, Central Michigan, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia, Western Michigan, and Wisconsin.
For Vitti, being a student-athlete is of utmost importance, and he maintains a 3.9 GPA. He said, “Being a student-athlete comes first, the student before the athlete. I work out and know that I will get my work done. I am not the type of kid who will slack off in school because it’s important to me. I don’t want to look at my grades and see anything below a 3.6.”
Vitti has been associated with Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) since the end of his 8th-grade football season. His time at SMSB has helped him improve his knowledge of the game and his readiness to handle adversity. “It’s always good to be around the best competition in the state, making me more prepared going into high school. It makes so many things so much easier.”
Being a student-athlete of SMSB, Vitti has also benefited from the travel exposure and becoming familiar with the recruitment process. “They put me in places where I can be exposed to perform. There are camps with so many coaches, and it allows you to be seen. They help with recruiting and ask me what I’m looking for in a school.”
The Vitti family, who are all athletes, share a mutual belief in the importance of athleticism, academics, and life skills. According to Marcello’s mother, Rachel Vitti, SMSB has played a critical role in cultivating these values and setting high expectations for student-athletes.
“SMSB has done a great job of exposing student-athletes to the entire range of what’s expected of them at the next level: academic studies, interacting with other adults, how to manage your player profile, your brand and who you are and what you present,” shared Mrs. Vitti.
“It’s a team effort,” referring to the people, coaches, and players of SMSB. “Great effort and great opportunity allow the playing field to be elevated. We appreciate everything the organization does for student-athletes. They are just on top of it, and the exposure and opportunities are top-notch.”
With Marcello’s exceptional talent and dedication to improve on and off the field, he is sure to make a significant impact in the world of football and beyond.
About Sound Mind Sound Body Youth Association:
Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) is a proven platform that ensures students matriculate to post-secondary education by successfully prioritizing and balancing a unique curriculum that combines life skills, athleticism, and academics. STUDENT + ATHLETE + SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY + SOUND DECISION MAKING = SUCCESS.
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Jalisa Bannerman
