Michigan's top 10 quarterbacks for the class of 2016

Always a fertile ground for high school football quarterback talent, Michigan's class of 2016 is once again loaded from top to bottom with Division I-caliber signal-caller prospects.


Last season was one of the best in recent memory in Michigan with six quarterbacks signing Division I scholarships (Alex Malzone, Birmingham Brother Rice, U-M; Jake Johnson, DeWitt, CMU; Brandon Childress, Baldwin, CMU; Tyree Jackson, Muskegon Mona Shores, Buffalo; Jon Wassink, Grand Rapids South Christnan, WMU; Dakota Cupp, Waterford Mott, CMU). Two more QBs from Michigan's class of 2015 were definite D-I talents, but have taken different routes with Travis Russell (Grand Rapids West Catholic) deciding to play for D-II powerhouse Ferris State and Jayru Campbell (Detroit Cass Tech) suiting up for Garden City Community College in Kansas.


The talent just keeps overflowing for the state of Michigan at the quarterback position, as the Great Lakes State has multiple D-I signal-callers in the class of 2016. This season, in my opinion, Michigan has more dual threat-type QBs than in year's past. Either way, if a D-I college football coach is looking for a classic drop back passer or a pass/run type QB, Michigan should be stop No. 1 on any recruiter's road trip. Here are Michigan's top 10 quarterback prospects for the class of 2016.


Top 10 quarterback recruits for Michigan's class of 2016-


1. Tony Poljan-6-7, 230-Lansing Catholic Central-Michigan's No. 1 overall recruit. Led Catholic Central to the Division 5 state runner-up spot last season (losing to Travis Russell and Grand Rapids West Catholic). A year ago, Poljan threw for 2,802 yards, with 34 TDs and four interceptions. He also rushed for 1,017 yards and scored 22 TDs. Poljan also started at safety for the Cougars. An elite athlete, Poljan is also a high-level D-I college basketball prospect. Runs a 4.7 40. At the next level, if needed, Poljan has the size and frame to switch to TE or DE. How he got out of the state of Michigan is a mystery to me. Verbal to Minnesota.
2. Josh Jackson-6-2, 200-Saline-Speed, size and throwing ability make Jackson one of the top dual threat QBs in the nation. Behind Jackson, the Hornets finished as Division 1 state runner-up last season. Verbal to Virginia Tech.
3. Pat Naughton-6-2, 210-Comstock Park-Outstanding signal-caller from the Grand Rapids area. Not receiving as much recruiting chatter as I think he should be. Last season finished with 1,465 yards passing, with 13 TDs, while rushing for 1,062 yards and 14 TDs. Will be three-year starter for Panthers.
4. Matt Hartwick-5-11, 170-New Boston Huron-Arguably one of the most exciting players in the state of Michigan. As close as this state gets to Antwan Randle-El. Crazy talented signal-caller, Hartwick was the impetus behind the Chiefs' drive to the Division 3 state semifinals last year (the best season in school history).  Runs a 4.4 40. Last season, Hartwick threw for 1,064 yards and 10 TDs with two interceptions, while running for 1,328 yards and 15 TDs. Hartwick was named the Monroe News Player of the Year and earned News-Herald (Detroit's southern suburbs, the Downriver area) All-Area accolades last season. If not a QB at the next level, Hartwick would be a dynamic slot receiver, tailback or defensive back. A smart D-I college football recruiter/coach will offer this explosive and talented player.
5. Jake Smith-6-1, 180-Ithaca-Another strong dual threat QB. Smith can hurt defenses with either his arm or legs. Last season he helped lead the Yellowjackets to the Division 6 state runner-up position.
6. Joe Bob Walker-6-5, 235-Ann Arbor Skyline-An intriguing athlete. Walker isn't as polished as most on this list, but there is no doubting his overall talent and potential. With D-I level talent at the receiver position (Hunter Rison-Jr., MSU verbal and Guy Brent-Sr.), Walker will have plenty of weapons at his disposal. Though a D-I prospect at QB, Walker could also project out to a TE or DE at the next level. Walker runs a 4.6 40.
7. Wade Buckman-6-6, 205-Holland-Classic drop back, pocket passer. Big Ten body and length. Good speed for his size. Runs a 4.7 40. One of the best QBs on Michigan's west side of the state.
8. Paul Hurley-6-2, 195-Romeo-Another powerful pocket passer, Hurley threw for 1,779 yards and 16 TDs last season. Plays some of the best competition in suburban Detroit week after week in the Macomb Area Conference. Earned Detroit Free Press All-East first team honors last season.
9. Patrick Briningstool-6-0, 195-Clinton Township Chippewa Valley-Combines with Stefan Claiborne (Michigan's No. 12 overall player) to form one of the most dangerous pass-catch combos in the state. Last season, Briningstool threw for 1,851 yards on 114-of-199 passing, with only six interceptions. Was named to the Detroit News All-Metro East first team last year.
10. Clay Senerius-6-4, 190-Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-Prolific passer. Strong, accurate arm. Passed for over 2,400 yards and 33 TDs last season. Named to Michigan's Associated Press Division 7-8 All-State first team last season.


Other top QBs for Michigan's class of 2016-Spencer Peterson-6-5, 225-Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (sat out last season after transfer from Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, D-I size and arm strength), Ozzy Corp-6-5, 200-Ishpeming (Led Hematites to the Division 7 state runner-up spot last season, also starts at DB, one of the U.P.'s best), Evan Whitmore-6-3, 195-Petoskey (4.6 40), Danny Whitt Jr.-6-1, 185-Detroit Northwestern (run/pass threat, also could play WR, FS at next level), Logan Martin-6-2, 195-Essexville-Garber (1,600 yards passing and 23 TDs, 800 yards rushing and 12 TDs last season), Jimmy Seewald-6-5, 215-Dearborn Divine Child (1,900 yards passing and 17 TDs last year), Frank D'ascenzo-6-2, 190-Sterling Heights Stevenson, Jake Lipetzky-6-5, 190-Riverview Gabriel Richard (second only to New Boston Huron's Matt Hartwick as Downriver's most talented QB, also D-I baseball prospect as pitcher), Martin Petersen-6-4, 220-Hillsdale (878 yards passing and 10 TDs, 498 yards rushing and five TDs last year). Alex Nicholson-6-2, 215-Salem (Incredible athlete, three-year starter for Rocks, runs 4.5 40, also top LB prospect).