Michigan's top 10 linebackers for the class of 2016

From NFL legends Brad Van Pelt (Owosso, MSU), Carl Banks (Flint Beecher, MSU), Thomas "Pepper" Johnson (Detroit Mackenzie, Ohio State) and Dan Currie (Detroit St. Anthony, MSU, No. 3 overall pick in 1958 NFL draft, three-time All-Pro and two-time NFL champion with the Green Bay Packers in 1961 and 1962) to current NFL standouts David Harris (Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, U-M, NY Jets), Connor Barwin (U-D Jesuit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia Eagles), Brad Jones (East Lansing, Colorado, Philadelphia Eagles) and LaMarr Woodley (Saginaw, U-M, Arizona Cardinals), the state of Michigan has produced some of the finest linebackers ever to play the game.


The class of 2016 in Michigan is overflowing with Division I college football talent and skill at the linebacker position. With size, speed and ability in abundance, each player listed below is a D-I recruit, in my opinion. Here are Michigan's top 10 linebacker prospects for the class of 2016.


Top 10 linebackers for Michigan's class of 2016--


1. Daelin Hayes-6-3, 245-Ann Arbor Skyline-Freakish athletic talent, with elite size/speed combo. Runs 4.5 40. Michigan's No. 2 overall recruit. Verbal to USC.
2. Eric Rogers-6-1, 235-Warren DeLaSalle-Tackling machine in the middle for defending D-2 state champions. Plays some of the top competition in the nation week after week in the rugged Detroit Catholic League. Verbal to WMU.
3. Jalen Cochran-6-4, 230-Canton-Big, lanky suburban Detroit player with speed off the edge. Detroit Free Press All-West first team last season. Could bulk up to play DE at next level.
4. David Reese-6-1, 230-Farmington-Physical, powerful player with agility. Also top FB. Could play either LB or FB at next level. 4.6 40. Verbal to U-M.
5. Brandon Randle-6-2, 215-Battle Creek Central-From legendary program, Randle is latest D-I Bearcat. Talented WR, as well. Never stops, high motor player. Speed to burn for size. 4.6 40. Also has long jumped 22-2. Will easily add 10 to 20 pounds at next level. Verbal to MSU.
6. Armani Posey-6-2, 205-Detroit King-All-around talent. Just a pure football player. Also big time WR. Runs 4.5-4.6 40 range. Detroit News All-Detroit first team last season. Like Brandon Randle, will add weight at next level.
7. Kumehnnu Gwilly-6-2, 205-Utica-Very intriguing player, in my opinion. Top flight tailback (1,944 yds, 15 TDs last season), but I like him as outside LB at next level. Could also make nice safety prospect. Runs 4.6 40. Detroit News All-Metro East first team last year. The Chippewas are getting a good one. Verbal to CMU.
8. Eddie Rhodes-6-4, 240-Detroit Consortium-Amazing physical specimen. Will more than likely bulk up to play DL at next level. Punishing player at the HS level.
9. Nolan Meekhof-6-1, 225-Grandville-One of the Grand Rapids area's best, Meekhof has good speed and instincts. Runs 4.6 40. Also bruising RB.
10. Lawrence Bryant-6-1, 220-Detroit King-Roams sideline to sideline making plays. Was three-year starter at Grosse Pointe North before transferring to King for senior season. Will form dynamic duo with teammate Armani Posey this upcoming season.


Other top LB prospects (all D-I at some level, in my opinion)-Tim Walton-6-2, 225-Detroit Cass Tech (Verbal to Illinois), Anthony Fitzpatrick-5-11, 240-Detroit Loyola (returning two-way starter for defending D-7 state champions), Hunter Buczkowski-6-0, 225-Mount Pleasant (big-time athlete, also All-State baseball player for top program, verbal to CMU), Luke Harris-6-3, 235-New Lothrop, Marcus Wright-6-0, 210-Flint Beecher, Tyler Lamica-6-1, 225-Grand Rapids Christian, Demond Young-6-0, 220-Farmington Hills Harrison, Kane Wendling-6-1, 210-Bay City Western (Bay City Times Dream Team selection), Cornelius Brown-6-1, 215-Lansing Sexton (returning starter for D-4 state runner-up), Trevor Tank-6-2, 225-South Lyon, Brent Brock-6-2, 230-Munising (returning two-way starter for D-8 state runner-up, one of the Upper Peninsula's best), Dennis Fitzsimmons-6-0, 230-Marine City (Division 5-6 All-State last year), Aaron Rahn-6-2, 225-Holland, Tarrion Hill-Mckay-6-1, 210-Muskegon (returning starter for D-3 state runner-up), David Williams-6-3, 225-Holland Christian, Austin Wood-6-1, 220-Berkley, Jeremiah Tyler-6-3, 205-Detroit Country Day (CMU, WMU, Ball State offers), Jalen Wilkerson-6-1, 205-Monroe (Monroe News Defensive Player of the Year last season, 4.6 40), Nate Jones-6-1, 220-Muskegon Catholic Central (will be three-year, two-way starter for defending D-8 state champions), Chris Upright-6-0, 220-Marshall, Spencer Trapiss-6-3, 210-Richmond, Hunter Ward-6-3, 230-Madison Heights Lamphere (Explosive, raw talent, 4.5 40 reported, member of school's 400-meter relay team).