Michigan's Top 10 Wide Receivers for the Class of 2018

Some of the greatest wide receivers ever to play the game have come out of the state of Michigan. Derrick Mason (Detroit Mumford, MSU), Mushin Muhammad (Lansing Waverly, MSU) and Andre Rison (Flint Northwestern, MSU) finished their careers in the top 30 all-time in receptions and receiving yards in NFL history. Bill Hewitt (Bay City Central, U-M) was one of the game's best two-way players as a WR-DE in the early days of the NFL and currently sits enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Just off the top of my head, Michiganders Allen Robinson (Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Penn State), Aaron Burbridge (Farmington Hills Harrison, MSU), Keshawn Martin (Westland John Glenn, MSU), Bennie Fowler (Detroit Country Day, MSU), Jake Lampman (Haslett, Ferris State), Myles White (Livonia Stevenson, Louisiana Tech), Willie Snead (Holland Christian/Muskegon Heights, Ball State), Devin Funches (Farmington Hills Harrison, U-M) and Jeff Janis (Tawas City, Saginaw Valley State) all earned paychecks playing in the NFL last year at the wide receiver position. It's safe to say, the state of Michigan produces some of the country's top wide receiver talent each and every year. This upcoming season is no different, as the class of 2018 has D-I level deep threats, possession-type receivers and do-it-all speed-burners. Here are the top 10 wide receiver prospects for Michigan's class of 2018.

Top 10 WR prospects for Michigan's class of 2018 -- 

1. Jerrod Vines-6-0, 185-Detroit Central- Flat out, game-breaker. Arguably, the most explosive player in the state. Runs a 4.4 40. Transfer from St. Clair Shores South Lake. Will team with Central QB El-Julien Jordan to form one of the state's best pass-catch combos. Last season, Vines finished with 61 receptions for 858 yards and 18 TDs. He was named to the Detroit Free Press All-East first team last year as a junior. Isn't receiving the national or even statewide buzz I'd like to see for a player of his caliber. Toledo offer. 

2. A.J. Abbott-6-2, 185-West Bloomfield- Consummate move-the-chains-type receiver with sneaky speed and acceleration, Abbott is a transfer from Northville. Abbott has excellent hands and runs precise routes. Last season, he finished with 46 receptions for 406 yards and six TDs en route to Detroit News All-Metro West accolades. Verbal to Wisconsin. 

3. Brandon Gray-6-5, 190-Detroit Cass Tech- Lanky, long-armed receiver that's a mismatch for any DB trying to defend. Transfer from Southfield A & T, Gray is a deep threat talent still growing into his body. Raw, but the talent potential is high. I see Gray becoming a 6-5, 215 "throw-it-up-to-him-type" Red Zone dynamo at the next level. Verbal to Washington State. 

4. Xavier Wade-6-2, 185-Holland West Ottawa-Was at times unstoppable last season for West Ottawa. Finished with 61 catches for 1,033 yards and nine TDs last year earning Grand Rapids Press Dream Team honors. Like many on this list, also a standout basketball player. EMU offer. 

5. Erik Gibson-6-2, 190-Detroit King-Big, fast and athletic, Gibson is an all-around player for the Crusaders. Could possibly play DB at the next level. Transfer from Redford Thurston, Gibson should be a sure-handed, reliable receiver for King junior-to-be standout QB DeQuan Finn this upcoming season. Verbal to Minnesota.

6. Traveon Maddox-6-4, 185-Novi- Possibly the best athlete at the wide receiver position this season in Michigan, Maddox is also a D-I level basketball prospect. With long-strides and gazelle-like speed, Maddox is a high D-I football prospect. His overall athleticism gives him the edge in most "jump ball" situations, while his speed allows him to blow by most DBs with ease. Kent State offer.

7. Taj Mustapha-6-1, 180-West Bloomfield-Supremely talented receiver with outstanding hands and speed. Teams with A.J. Abbott to form arguably the best WR duo in the state of Michigan, if not the Midwest. Last season, finished with 47 receptions for 879 yards and nine TDs. Recruited by most Big Ten schools, Mustapha is a do-it-all-type receiver for the Lakers. Verbal to Wisconsin.

8. Brandon Green-6-2, 200-Detroit Mumford-Another big-time athlete, Green excels on both sides of the football for the Mustangs. A leading scorer on Mumford's hoops team, Green could also play basketball at the next level. With 4.5 speed, Green is a physical player who also is a dominant linebacker on defense. I see him adding 15 pounds in college and becoming a hard-nosed 6-2, 215 "over-the-middle-type" receiver. 

9. Myles McHaney-6-4, 205-L'Anse Creuse North-An intriguing prospect. McHaney could play multiple positions at the next level. With 4.6 speed, he could add muscle and weight and play LB at 6-4, 225-230 or stay at WR at 6-4, 215 and be a big-time competitor at either position in college. CMU offer. 

10. Brandon Anderson-5-10, 160-Cassopolis-A sleeper-type player, I like Anderson's versatility and I love his speed (4.3 40, placed sixth in Div. 4 state meet as sophomore in 200 meters in 23.1). He can play WR, RB or DB. He's the type of player that in the open field can cause all kinds of problems for any opposing defense. He's a shifty, water-bug like speed demon. He's a prototypical slot receiver. Last year, behind Anderson, Cassopolis had one of its best seasons ever, reaching the Division 7 football state semifinals before losing to Detroit Loyola. A bit light, weight-wise, right now, Anderson could add 20 pounds in college and still be a 4.3 breakaway guy. A smart, D-I recruiter is going to find this kid and sign him.

Other top WR prospects for Michigan's class of 2018 (all are D-I level recruits) -- Majestik Dudley-6-3, 200-Saginaw Heritage, Jerrin Harvey-6-3, 200-Farmington Harrison (also talented LB), Ovauntay Vickers-6-2, 185-Carrollton, Andre Jackson-6-2, 175-Saginaw Arthur Hill, Kavon Higdon-5-8, 155-Utica (4.4 40 speed), Charles Garrett-6-3, 175-Bridgeport (also plays QB), Landon Green-6-4, 205-Novi (4.6 40), Justin Thomas-6-1, 175-Walled Lake Western (returning starter for D-2 state runner-up), Jayden Perry-6-0, 170-Mount Pleasant, Addison Buckius-6-3, 190-Lowell, Seth Davis-5-10, 175-Ithaca (38 catches, 612 yards, six TDs, Mount Pleasant Morning Sun Dream Team), Ceophus Tucker-6-3, 185-Detroit Community (also top punter, Detroit News All-Detroit first team punter last season, had over 1,000 receiving yards), Bryant Kieft-6-3, 205-Watervilet, Jacobie Welch-6-1, 180-East Kentwood, Karl Brooks-6-5, 210-Lansing Sexton (three-sport standout in football, basketball, track and field, 4.5 40), Davion Hightower-5-11, 170-Detroit Cody (Detroit PSL 100- and 200-meter champion), Thomas Robinson-6-2, 180-Wyoming Lee (one of the fastest players in the Midwest, captured both the 100 meters-10.8 and 200 meters-21.7-Division 3 state record- at last June's state meet), Matt Moorer-6-1, 165-Ypsilanti Lincoln (also one of the fastest players in the Midwest, placed first in the 400-meter run- 47.42, second in the 200 meters-21.62 and seventh in the 100 meters-10.96 at last June's Division 1 state meet).