Similar to the offensive line, the state of Michigan produces some of the best defensive back talent in the country year in and year out. For proof, just look at this past April's NFL draft. It's truly amazing the level of secondary skill the Great Lakes State churns out each season. From Detroit Cass Tech alone, four defensive backs were drafted or signed as undrafted free agents during last April's NFL selection. Jourdan Lewis (U-M) and Delano Hill (U-M) were both drafted, while DeJuan Rogers (Toledo) and DeQuan Pace (EMU) signed as UDFAs. Talk about your high school secondary! And that's not all, fellow Cass Tech alum Damon Webb started at safety for Ohio State last fall. Can you imagine the skill level of that high school secondary? The fact one school produced all that defensive backfield talent is mind-boggling. But, that's Michigan high school football for you. There are players of that potential level everywhere throughout Michigan. To put the proverbial bow on this subject, Michigan had two additional secondary players drafted last April in second-rounder Josh Jones (Walled Lake Western, North Carolina State) and fourth-rounder Desmond King (Detroit East English Village, Iowa, Thorpe Award winner his junior season). Truly impressive...
For the class of 2018, the high-level D-I secondary talent is deep and overflowing once again, as it is every season in Michigan. The following are the top 10 defensive back prospects in the state of Michigan, but many others not on the list are D-I recruits, as well.
Michigan's Top 10 Defensive Back Prospects for the Class of 2018 --
1. Kalon Gervin-5-10, 175-Detroit Cass Tech-The latest in a long line of All-American-level DBs from the legendary Detroit Public School League program. Recently decommitted from Notre Dame, Gervin, who runs a 4.3 40, is a stick-like-glue type pass defender, with the toughness and grit to make tackles near the line of scrimmage. Holds offers from LSU, Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, MSU, U-M, Oklahoma and Texas, to name but a few.
2. Reggie Pearson-5-11, 190-River Rouge- A four-year starter for the Panthers, Pearson is one of the best defensive back recruits in the nation. An instinctive and natural player, Pearson is one of those kids who was born to be a football player. Tough and hard-nosed, Pearson is a head-hunter of the highest order from his safety position. Verbal to Wisconsin.
3. Elijah Collins-6-2, 195-U-D Jesuit- One of the best all-around football players in Michigan, Collins projects to numerous positions at the next level. I put him on defense because that's where I believe you place your best athletes/players. He's a game-breaking running back and/or wide receiver on offense and a smooth, mobile DB on the defensive side of the ball. He could also add weight and muscle mass in college and play linebacker. Also a D-I basketball recruit, Collins holds offers from MSU, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Iowa State, Syracuse and Missouri.
4. Vincent Gray-6-2, 185-Rochester Adams-A tall and fast cornerback is always a need for any college program and Gray fits that bill perfectly. With his size and wingspan, Gray shuts down any receiver he's assigned to defend. Verbal to Missouri.
5. Darius Pruitt-6-3, 195-Kalamazoo Central- A bit of a sleeper (though I have no clue why), Pruitt is the consummate center-fielder, if you will, as a free safety for the Maroon Giants. With his size and long strides, Pruitt covers a lot of ground quickly. Last season, he had six interceptions en route to Kalamazoo Gazette Dream Team accolades. Also a top hoops player for one of Michigan's best programs, Pruitt can also line-up as a wide receiver and is a mismatch for most DBs defending him.
6. Jaeveyon Morton-5-9, 170-Detroit King-A pick-pocket of the highest level, Morton is always around the football. With arguably the quickest feet in the state, Morton is a lockdown corner for the Crusaders. Behind Morton, King captured the Division 2 football state championship last season defeating Walled Lake Western 18-0. Verbal to Iowa State..
7. Zhamaine March-5-9, 175-Detroit East English Village-Potentially the next Desmond King out of East English Village. Like King was in high school, March is also an explosive running back and kick returner, but it's on the defensive side of the football where I think March could really excel. With 4.4 speed and natural football skills, March is well-suited to playing cornerback at the next level. Last season, he was named to the Detroit News' Division 1-2 All-State first team. Again, like King, March is being under-recruited, in my opinion. King was headed to Toledo before Iowa found him late and offered -- we all know how that turned out for the Hawkeyes. March is in a similar situation. Big Ten, where are you on this guy? Verbal to Northern Illinois.
8. Davion Williams-6-2, 185-Belleville-The potential for this kid is off the charts. Already a high-level basketball recruit, Williams is also a big-time D-I football prospect. A bit raw at the moment, Williams is such a terrific athlete he can simply overwhelm opponents with his superior physical talent. When this guy gets coached-up, developed and honed at the next level, he could have All-American/NFL potential. Verbal to Michigan State
9. Cody Blankenburg-5-9, 175-Lansing Sexton-A super explosive player on either side of the football, Blankenburg is the latest D-I talent out of a Sexton program which has produced numerous high level athletes in multiple sports over the years. This past season, two Big Red alums were playing in the NBA. While Blankenburg's future isn't on the hardcourt, he does have big-time, next level skill on the gridiron. Last season, he rushed for 1,113 yards and 16 TDs, while on defense he picked off five passes and recorded 38 tackles. For his efforts, he was named to the Lansing State Journal Dream Team as a junior. With speed to burn, Blankenburg was a member of Sexton's Division 2 state championship 400-meter relay team (43.13) last spring.
10. (Tie) Lavien Fields-6-1, 185-Detroit Mumford-If Fields played for King or Cass Tech, he would be on every college recruiter's radar. Not saying that's a bad thing, but just my opinion. The Detroit PSL has an almost inexhaustible depth of D-I football talent throughout the conference and the smart and diligent football recruiter would understand this fact and start mining one of the nation's best high school football leagues. Fields is a long and rangy player with excellent speed and agility. Last season, Fields earned Detroit News Division 3-4 All-State first team honors. Collin Heard-5-10, 175-West Bloomfield-A transfer from Birmingham Groves, Heard joins a West Bloomfield program with multiple 2018 D-I prospects already in its line-up. With Heard added to the talented existing group, the Lakers could have another top squad this upcoming season. West Bloomfield has produced big-time talent recently, with recent Laker grads Eddie Wilson-DT and Navon Mosely-DB now starting at Purdue and Trishton Jackson-WR starting for Michigan State. Heard, who runs a 4.5 40 and had six interceptions last season, could be another Big Ten-level recruit for the West Bloomfield program. Verbal to Howard.
Other top DB prospects for Michigan's class of 2018 (all are D-I talents at the high, mid to low level) -- Robert Daniel-5-10, 185-Oak Park (CMU, EMU, WMU, Ball St., Bowling Green State, Ohio offers), Damyon Wedge-5-10, 170-Allegan (four interceptions, Kalamazoo Gazette Dream Team selection last season), Darius Atkins-5-9, 165-Detroit Central (Detroit News All-Detroit second team), Jimmie Kilgore-6-1, 185-East Kentwood (4.5 40, 325 squat), JoJo Whitley-5-10, 175-Comstock Park (Grand Rapids All-North), Kyle Wisneski-6-1, 180-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (five interceptions, 77 tackles, Grand Rapids All-North), Shane Tagg-6-1, 200-Byron Center (4.5 40), Alex Hage-5-10, 165-Wyoming, Kmare Carey-6-2, 170-Belleville (WMU verbal), Anthony Fordham-6-1, 185-Davison, Sean Hopkins-6-2, 165-Benton Harbor, Willie Shanks-6-1, 170-Muskegon, Marcus Remtema-6-0, 180-Rockford, Niko Mosley-6-2, 205-West Bloomfield, Matthew Gilbert-6-0, 175-Southfield A & T, Blake Underwood-6-3, 190-East Lansing (Miami (OH) verbal), Dwayne Thompson-6-0, 165-Birmingham Brother Rice, Jaylen Branch-6-2, 175-Warren Michigan Collegiate, SuSu Davenport-6-1, 175-Wyoming Godwin Heights, Cam Gillette-5-10, 185-Battle Creek Lakeview (Battle Creek Enquirer All-City, 4.5 40), Jace Parrish-6-1, 180-Grand Blanc, Patrick Lupro-5-10, 185-Belleville (Bowling Green State verbal), Matt Loney-6-3, 180-Frankfort, Bryce Clay-5-10, 190-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, Tyrique Wheatley-5-11, 170-Ann Arbor Pioneer (Tyrone Wheatley's son, runs 10.9 100 meters, 22.9 200 meters).
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