Top 10 offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2016

Only four times in the history of the NFL draft has an offensive lineman been selected as the No. 1 overall pick. Two of those four players are native Michiganders. In 2008, Lapeer East's Jake Long (Michigan) was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, while Rochester Stoney Creek's Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) was selected No. 1 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. The other two O-linemen picked No. 1 overall in the draft were USC's Ron Yary (California) in 1968 by the Minnesota Vikings and Ohio State's Orlando Pace (Ohio) in 1997 by the St. Louis Rams.


My point is, if history is any indication, the state of Michigan is one of the top states in the country when it comes to churning out top quality offensive linemen. The class of 2016 is no different -- it's chock full of high level Division I college football talent. Is there another future NFL No. 1 overall draft pick in the following group? I guess only time will tell -- though out of any state in the Union (if history is used as a measurement), Michigan appears to be the place to look/recruit for the next future NFL No. 1-er at the offensive line position.


Here are the top 10 offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2016 --


1. Michael Jordan-6-6, 280-OT-Plymouth-Notre Dame, MSU, U-M all offered. Verbal to Ohio State.
2. Thiyo Lukusa-6-5, 300-OT-Traverse City West (decided to transfer to high school in New Jersey for senior season)-Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska, OSU, U-M all offered. Verbal to MSU.
3.  Juanye Johnson-6-4, 285-OT-Muskegon-MSU, U-M recruiting. Powerful drive blocker for state powerhouse program.
4. Tom Kowalkoski-6-4, 280-OG-C-Detroit Catholic Central-Purdue, Iowa, Northwestern all heavily recruited. Verbal to Boston College.
5. Jake Cerny-6-5, 285-OT-Traverse City West-Excellent feet, technique for a big man. Verbal to Illinois.
6. Alaric Jackson-6-7, 285-OT-Detroit Renaissance-Nebraska, Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas, MSU offers. Has played only one year of organized football. Hoops standout.
7. Ostell Martin-6-6, 300-OT-OG-Detroit Cass Tech-Syracuse, U-M, Alabama have shown interest.
8. Muad Motan-6-4, 315-OT-OG-Ann Arbor Pioneer-Top O-lineman in Ann Arbor area. All-Area performer a year ago. Somewhat of a sleeper. Rugged run blocker.
9. Trenton Fincher-6-7, 315-OT-East Kentwood-Big Ten size, pedigree. Father played at Michigan State.
10. Mike VanHoeven-6-5, 305-OT-Paw Paw-Next great from small southwest Michigan school. Current MSU All-Big Ten OT Jack Conklin played a few miles over in Plainwell. From same school as NFL All-Pro DE Jason Babin (WMU, New York Jets currently). Verbal to EMU.


-- Other top offensive linemen for Michigan's class of 2016- (all are D-I prospects - high, mid, low)- Alex Angeles-6-2, 315-OG-Northville (three-year starter, benches school record 350 pounds), Tommy Roush-6-4, 270-OT-Traverse City West, Colin Shock-6-2, 275-C-Macomb Dakota (will be three-year starter for state power), Jordan Asbury-6-4, 265-OT-Warren DeLaSalle (starter for D-2 state champions, verbal to WMU), Carmen Kolwich-6-4, 280-OT-Orchard Lake St. Mary's (starter for D-3 state champions, verbal to Northwestern), Brendan Thompson-6-5, 260-OT-Lake Orion, Kyle Augustine-6-3, 315-OG-Gaylord, Mike Birkenhauer-6-4, 260-OG-Birmingham Brother Rice, Jaylin Jones-6-4, 265-OT-Ypsilanti Lincoln, Nick Edney-6-2, 280-C-OG-Garden City (school's best D-I prospect since U-M two-time captain OG Kirk Lewis in 1970s), Sam Hartwig-6-5, 280-OT-Menominee (will be three-year starter at U.P. power), Zak Hill-6-4, 315-OT-Roseville, Mike Bordeaux-6-3, 265-OG-Muskegon Mona Shores (two-way starter for D-2 state runner-up Sailors), Karson Murley-6-2, 265-OG-Lowell, Jaleel Jones-6-3, 290-OG-Lansing Everett, Marshaun Blake-6-2, 240-OT-Lansing Sexton (returning starter for D-4 state runner-up), Cobe Bryant-6-5, 315-OT-Rochester, Jack Hensley-6-4, 325-OT-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, Jacob Lechner-6-3, 255-OG-C-Harbor Springs, Jacob Donnellon-6-5, 265-OT-Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (Verbal to EMU), Mason Penix-6-6, 305-OT-Charlotte, Liam Lamke-6-5, 245-OT-Lansing Catholic Central (starter for D-5 state runner-up Cougars), James Haverkamp-6-7, 265-OT-Grand Rapids Christian, Jake Boonstra-6-3, 285-OG-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Darren Johnson-6-4, 290-OT-Dearborn Heights Robichaud, Cody Witzgall-6-3, 270-OG-Bay City Western, Keegan Golder-6-5, 270-OT-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern, Isaac Weir-6-4, 270-OT-Stevensville-Lakeshore, J.R. Sheriff-6-2, 290-C-Bridgman, Andrew McLeod-6-3, 265-C-OT-Farmington, Matt Blair-6-1, 240-C-North Farmington (three-year starter for Raiders), Dan Collins-6-3, 280-OG-Howell, Colton Overway-6-3, 265-C-Zeeland West, Jacob Jenkins-6-3, 305-OG-Redford Thurston, Jack Steinhauer-6-3, 270-OG-Grosse Pointe South, Mike Kibzey-6-4, 265-OT-Madison Heights Madison, Adam Audette-6-2, 250-C-Climax-Scotts.