Sorry it's been so long since I've last posted, but as I've said before in this blog -- life happens. Though, "life," was happening, it doesn't mean I haven't still been scouring the state of Michigan to find and identify the state's top high school football talent.
As with 2015, the class of 2016 is absolutely loaded with big-time, top tier Division I college football talent. It seems as if every urban area in Michigan and multiple small towns and rural areas dotted throughout the state have Big Ten-level football talent this upcoming season.
Here are the Top 50 high school football prospects in Michigan for the class of 2016. As always, this list can and will change as the year continues, but at this moment, these are the players I've identified through my research. Michigan's five Division I college football programs would be well-advised to check out all of these players and, hopefully, stock and fill their future rosters with hard-working, talented kids from the Great Lakes State.
Top 10 prospects for Michigan's class of 2016 --
1. Tony Poljan-6-7, 230-QB-TE-DE-Lansing Catholic Central-I know it's ridiculously high praise for such a young man, but Poljan has such a high ceiling, potential-wise, than any Michigan prep football player in recent memory. Not only is he a D-I college basketball prospect, but he is Michigan's No. 1 high school football recruit, in my opinion. His athletic ability is off the charts for a player his size. Running a 4.7 40, I project Poljan as a 6-7, 270 Jason Witten-type TE at the next level, or a 6-7, 275 J.J. Watt-type DE or a 6-7, 245 Ben Roethlisberger-type QB. As I said, high praise, but his combo of size-speed-athleticism is exciting and his potential at the next level is crazy high. Verbal to Minnesota.
2. Daelin Hayes-6-3, 225-LB-Ann Arbor Skyline-Could bulk up to DE frame/size at 255-260 in college or could play LB at 245-250. Either way, with 4.5 speed, Hayes is an absolute train wreck of a hitter. Verbal to USC.
3. Lawrence Gordon-6-6, 255-DE-Saginaw Arthur Hill-Despite currently playing for a struggling program (though overall a legendary program in Michigan high school football history), Gordon is still one of the Midwest's top football prospects. Like Poljan, Gordon's ceiling is exceptionally high. He's raw, but unbelievably talented. He's the proverbial "diamond in the rough."
4. Michael Jordan-6-6, 280-OT-DT-Plymouth-What makes Jordan stand out is his quickness and footwork for a player his size. With long arms and solid, all-around coordination, I project Jordan to develop into a 6-6, 315 beast of a LT at the next level. Verbal to Ohio State.
5. Michael Onwenu-6-2, 305-DT-OG-Detroit Cass Tech-Onwenu is a star on either side of the football. I see him, though, as a Vince Wilfork-type immovable object in the middle at DT-NG at the collegiate level. Verbal to U-M.
6. Donnie Corley-6-2, 185-WR-DB-Detroit King-Quite possibly, besides Poljan, the state's best all-around football player on either side of the line of scrimmage. With great size and room to grow, weight wise, Corley is one of the Midwest's best, if not one of the nation's best, as a dual position player at the next level. With 4.5/4.4 speed range, Corley could be a devastating lockdown corner or a bruising, physical "over-the-middle" type receiver in college. Either way, he's a must get for our state's D-I football playing schools.
7. Eric Rogers-6-1, 235-LB-Warren DeLaSalle-The defensive leader of last year's D-2 state champions, Rogers is a tackling machine. Tough, physical and quick, Rogers will be a three-year starter for DeLaSalle, which plays in the rugged Detroit Catholic League, one of the nation's best. Verbal to WMU.
8. Thiyo Lukusa-6-5, 300-OT-Traverse City West-Oh man, I pity the defensive opponents who have to line up against this northern Michigan monster. With NFL size already, Lukusa projects out to a 6-5, 325 Big Ten-type pile-driver at the next level. Verbal to MSU.
9. Khalid Kareem-6-4, 260-DE-Farmington Hills Harrison-Playing for one of Michigan's perennial powerhouse programs, Kareem is a pass-rusher supreme, with the size and frame to bulk up in college (6-4, 275-285 range) and move inside/out to take advantage of his quickness (think Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks). Verbal to Alabama.
10. Mark Brooks-6-7, 250-DE-OT-Portland-My top sleeper pick that I'm putting in my Top 10. From a program that captured the D-5 state championship in 2012, Brooks is a small town kid with a huge Big Ten-level upside. Needs to improve overall speed, but could play DT-OT at the next level. Brooks is a player college coaches, not only from inside Michigan's borders, but also those throughout the Midwest, should be flocking to see and recruit. Verbal to WMU.
-- I'll post my 11 through 50 players in my next blog.
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