Top 50 high school football players for Michigan's class of 2016

Wow, just wow. That's all I can say when looking at my early list of Michigan's top 50 high school football players for the class of 2016. It doesn't matter what year, Michigan is simply overflowing with high school football talent. As I've often said in this blog, but it bears repeating, if Michigan's five D-I playing college football programs would look inward, inside Michigan's borders first and foremost and recruit this state from the Upper Peninsula to Monroe and every city and small town in between, we more than likely would be able, as fans and supporters, to enjoy five nationally ranked (or at least close to it) teams each season. The talent base is here, every year, for our five D-I playing schools to stock three-fourths (or more) of each recruiting class with in-state players AND be successful and compete for Big Ten and MAC championships. Though early, this list will surely grow in the next two seasons as 50 or more additional Division I-level players will likely emerge from throughout the state of Michigan.

Top 50 players for Michigan's class of 2016-

1. Lawrence Gordon-6-5, 235-DE-Saginaw Arthur Hill-Dominating force, strong pass rusher. Huge upside size-wise, but already talented football-wise.

2. Matthew Falcon-6-1, 200-RB-Southfield-4.4 40, speed/power combo back. Could also play LB. Alabama, Ohio State, MSU, U-M recruiting.

3. Thiyo Lukusa-6-5, 300-OT-Traverse City West-Great size/agility for large young man. MSU already has offered full-ride.

4. Daelin Hayes-6-2, 210-LB-RB-Orchard Lake St. Mary's-4.5 40, impressive speed, pass rusher/defender, MSU, U-M, Nebraska among schools recruiting.

5. David Reese-6-1, 235-LB-Farmington-Physical middle linebacker, run-stuffer, U-M, MSU recruiting hard.

6. Kalebb Perry-6-2, 170-WR-Mount Pleasant-Three-sport star for Oilers. Also top basketball player and track and field athlete. MSU is highly recruiting.

7. Ostell Martin-6-6, 300-OT-Detroit Cass Tech-Overwhelming force up front in trenches for state power. Pitt, Syracuse, U-M, MSU recruiting.

8. Michael Onwenu-6-2, 285-DT-Detroit Cass Tech-Quick, powerful player in middle of line. Notre Dame, Tennessee, MSU, U-M interested.

9. Gabe Bauman-6-3, 230-DE-Rockford-Top sophomore recruit in Grand Rapids area. From same school as Joe Staley, SF 49ers All-Pro OT.

10. Tru Wilson-5-11, 180-DB-Warren DeLaSalle-3 interceptions as starting safety for power program. MSU, U-M recruiting.

11. Spencer Peterson-6-4, 210-QB-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern-Top signal-caller for 2016 class. Prototype Big Ten QB body, arm.

12. Jalen Martin-6-2, 190-WR-Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy-Big frame receiver with speed. Penn State, U-M, MSU recruiting.

13. Dez Fitzpatrick-6-0, 175-WR-Farmington-Deep threat with good hands/size. Maryland, Indiana, U-M, MSU in on early.

14. Martell Pettaway-5-9, 190-RB-St. Clair Shores South Lake-Can take it the distance from anywhere on the field. U-M, MSU recruiting hard.

15. Juanye Johnson-6-3, 275-OG-Muskegon-Starter on D-2 state runner-up. Excellent drive blocker for state power.

16. Lucas Thompson-6-0, 170-DB-Grand Rapids Christian-Starter since freshman year. Big cornerback with speed.

17. Jesse Johnson-5-11, 180-DB-Detroit King-Starting safety for Detroit Public School League power. Cousin Deon Johnson played at U-M. Toledo offer.

18. Lavert Hill-5-10, 165-DB-Detroit Cass Tech-Next in line as big time DB from school that has produced multiple D-I DBs. Iowa, U-M, MSU interested.

19. Demetric Vance-6-2, 180-WR-Detroit Cass Tech-Fourth Technician in my Top 20 for 2016. Big frame, speed, hands for state power. Cincinnati, LSU.

20. Sam Hartwig-6-4, 250-OT-Menominee-Starter for D-5 state runner-up. Top Upper Peninsula recruit for 2016. Pure run blocker, tough, hard-nosed.

21. Eric Rogers-6-1, 230-LB-Warren DeLaSalle-Sure tackler in middle for Detroit Catholic League power. Will be three-year starter for Pilots.

22. Jaylen Browder-6-5, 230-DE-Saginaw Arthur Hill-Teams with No. 1 2016 recruit Lawrence Gordon to form intimidating DE duo.

23. Eyioma Uwozurike-6-5, 230-DE-Southfield Lathrup-A sleeper with huge potential. Big frame, good mobility.

24. Ba Blamo-6-0, 205-RB-DE-LB-Grand Ledge-Intriguing prospect. Finished sixth in state in 100 meters as freshman (11.3), also top wrestler.

25. Colin Shock-6-3, 255-C-Macomb Dakota-Starter as sophomore for metro Detroit power.

26. Tommy Roush-6-3, 270-OG-Traverse City West-Teams with Thiyo Lukusa (No. 3 2016 prospect) to form talented front line. Northwestern interested.

27. Michael Floyd-5-10, 175-DB-Madison Heights Madison-Was sophomore starter for 11-1 team this past season. Good speed.

28. Cornelius Kellogg-5-11, 165-DB-Detroit Cody-Strong pass defender. Also plays QB. Great athlete.

29. Pat Naughton-6-1, 190-QB-Comstock Park-Threw for over 1,500 yards this past season.

30. Tony Poljan-6-7, 215-QB-Lansing Catholic-Big size, strong arm, good runner. Also one of state's top basketball prospects for 2016 class.

31. Alex Bock-5-10, 170-DB-WR-Detroit Catholic Central-Only sophomore starter on Division 1 state runner-up. Brother Zach was All-State this year.

32. Nate Jones-6-1, 210-LB-Muskegon Catholic Central-Defensive leader for D-8 state champions. Also started at center for Crusaders.

33. Armani Posey-6-1, 185-WR-Detroit East English Village-Another big wide receiver in talented class. MSU recruiting.

34. Hunter Broersma-6-1, 175-DB-WR-RB-Muskegon Mona Shores-Talented all around player. 4.5 40 speed.

35. Josh Jackson-6-2, 175-QB-Saline-Excellent scrambler, strong arm. Son of U-M assistant coach Fred Jackson.

36. Donnie Corley-6-2, 170-DB-WR-Wyandotte-Big size, match-up problem on both sides of ball.

37. Jalen Cochran-6-3, 190-LB-Canton-Great speed, athleticism for western suburban Detroit power program. Huge upside, size-wise, growth.

38. Wade Buckman-6-5, 190-QB-Holland-Big Ten frame, size. Runs a 4.8 40.

39. Marcus Wright-5-9, 170-DB-Flint Beecher-Will be four-year starter. From same school as former NFLer WR Courtney Hawkins (MSU, Beecher HC).

40. Nate Skene-6-3, 205-TE-Hartland-Frame for growth, weight gain. Dad Doug Skene was starting OT at U-M.

41. Dante Razzano-6-2, 180-DB-QB-Edwardsburg-Sleeper prospect from southwest Michigan small town. Will be three-year starter.

42. Dennis Fitzsimmons-6-0, 210-LB-Marine City-Only sophomore starter for D-4 state champions.

43. Dontre Boyd-5-9, 160-DB-Detroit King-Started alongside Jesse Johnson (No. 17 2016 prospect) and two seniors who went D-I in secondary this year.

44. Andrew DeMoss-5-10, 205-LB-Detroit East English Village-All-Detroit first team by Detroit News, 111 tackles, 11 sacks, will be four-year starter.

45. Tylen Redding-6-1, 160-WR-Warren Mott-Brother Teo plays for Bowling Green State.

46. Jeff Timko-6-1, 190-LB-Birmingham Brother Rice-Only sophomore to play on unbeaten, nationally ranked D-2 state champion Rice squad this season.

47. Gage Kreski-6-2, 180-DB-St. Ignace-Upper Peninsula Dream Team selection this season -- only sophomore on squad. 8 interceptions.

48. Dan Perry-6-2, 260-OG-DT-Lapeer East-Strong, powerful player in trenches.

49. Nathan Fox-6-3, 240-DT-Johannesburg-Lewiston-One of the top 2016 prospects from northern Michigan.

50. Quinn Nordin-5-11, 175-P-PK-Rockford-Punted for 38 yard average this season, was 14-of-19 on FGs with long of 39 yards.

(tie) Jake Cerny-6-4, 260-OT-Traverse City West (Third O-lineman from TC West on Top 50 list), Trevor Tank-6-2, 215-LB-South Lyon, Carl Myers-6-2, 220-DL-OL-Grand Rapids West Catholic (Two-way starter on D-5 state champions), Khalid Kareem-6-4, 235-DE-Farmington Hills Harrison, Davonte Lynum-6-4, 285-DT-OT-Detroit Cody, Tom Kowalkoski-6-4, 270-OT-DT-Detroit Catholic Central, John Mantei-6-0, 180-RB-DB-Gladwin (Sleeper prospect from northern Michigan small town), Matt Sexton-6-0, 170-WR-Clinton, Ronathan Elmore-6-3, 205-DE-TE-Belleville (4.8 40, 8 sacks), Dylan Swanson-6-4, 245-OT-DT-Belleville, Zach VanValkenburg-6-4, 220-DE-Zeeland West (starter on D-3 state champions), Christian Boyd-6-2, 270-DT-Muskegon Mona Shores, Nolan Meekhof-6-1, 220-RB-LB-Grandville (4.6 40), Marlon Dorsey-5-11, 160-DB-East Kentwood, Jelani Taylor-5-10, 170-DB-WR-Flint Beecher, Kyle Augustine-6-2, 295-OG-Gaylord (will be three-year starter for Blue Devils),  Hunter Buczkowski-6-0, 215-LB-Mount Pleasant (Over 120 tackles this past season for Oilers).