From former NFL Pro Bowl signal-callers Earl Morrall (Muskegon, MSU) and Jim Harbaugh (Ann Arbor Pioneer, U-M), to longtime Detroit Lions quarterback Gary Danielson (Dearborn Divine Child, Purdue) to current NFL QBs Drew Stanton (Farmington Hills Harrison, MSU) and Kirk Cousins (Holland Christian, MSU), the state of Michigan has, for decades, been a place college recruiters trek to find high level talent at the position. For Michigan's class of 2018, the talent level at quarterback is deep and varied and filled to the brim with bonafide Division I players. From gunslingers to scramblers and everything in between, the Great Lakes State's 2018 quarterback class is, from top to bottom, the best in the Midwest. Here are the top 10 quarterback prospects for the state of Michigan's class of 2018.
Top 10 QB prospects for Michigan's class of 2018 (all are D-1 level recruits at the high, mid to low level) --
1. Theo Day-6-5, 205-Dearborn Divine Child-One of the best quarterback prospects in the nation. Day helped lead the Falcons to the Division 3 state semifinals last season. From the same school that produced the aforementioned Gary Danielson (Purdue, NFL), Day also is a Big Ten-level talent as a signal-caller. Last season, he threw for 1,700 yards and 22 TDs. Verbal to Michigan State.
2. Cade Peterson-6-5, 200-Maple City Glen Lake-One of the best QB prospects out of northern Michigan in a long time. A legitimate Big Ten-level talent, Peterson is somehow under-the-radar at the moment, which is puzzling to me. Unbelievable athlete. Will be a four-year varsity player in football, basketball (Class C All-State honorable mention as junior) and baseball. Runs a 4.9 40 and benches 235 pounds. Last season, Peterson helped lead Glen Lake to a Division 6 state runner-up finish. A year ago, Peterson threw for 2,178 yards and 22 TDs with only three interceptions, while rushing for 658 yards and seven TDs earning Detroit Free Press Division 6 All-State first team honors. Hello, Big Ten? Find this kid... Verbal to Grand Valley State.
3. Jason Whittaker-6-5, 205-Rockford-Quite possibly the best pure drop-back QB prospect in Michigan. With a rocket for an arm, Whittaker will be a three-year starter for Rockford, one of the best programs in Michigan. Last year, Whittaker finished 79-of-153 passing for 1,005 yards and six TDs. Named Grand Rapids All-North last season. Verbal to Northwestern.
4. Josh Czarnota-6-2, 205-Fenton-A tough, hard-nosed competitor from the QB position, Czarnota could even transition to LB (father played LB at U-M under Bo Schembechler) at the D-I level, if needed. A top-flight athlete, Czarnota runs a 4.6 40. Last season, he passed for 2,293 yards and 27 TDs with just two interceptions, while rushing for 1,279 yards and 17 TDs. Will be a three-year starter for Fenton. Last year, Czarnota led the Tigers to the Division 2 state quarterfinals before losing to eventual state-runner-up Walled Lake Western. Czarnota was named the Tri-County Times Offensive Player of the Year last season as a junior.
5. El-Julien Jordan-6-3, 200-Detroit Central-This kid has such a high upside. A former starter at Detroit King as a sophomore, Jordan has always been a big-game type of player. With a strong arm and ability to avoid pressure and pick up yardage with his feet, Jordan is a skilled game manager and move-the-chains-type quarterback. Last season, Jordan earned AP Division 5-6 All-State first team honors.Verbal to WMU.
6. Bryce Veasley-6-4, 230-West Bloomfield- A big, strong physical specimen, Veasley has a powerful arm and excellent mobility for a player his size. With two of the best WRs in Michigan (A.J. Abbott-No. 2-ranked and Taj Mustapha-No. 7-ranked in state) to throw to this season, Veasley should post impressive numbers this year for the Lakers. Last season, Veasley earned Detroit News All-North second team honors. Verbal to Bowling Green State.
7. Joey Bentley-6-2, 180-Ithaca-Truly a big-time, D-I talent who can hurt opponents with his arm or his legs. Last season, Bentley threw for 2,056 yards and 20 TDs with only six interceptions, while rushing for 1,095 yards and 20 touchdowns. Also a skilled DB, he finished with 55 tackles and three interceptions last year. As a punter, Bentley ended up with a 39-yard average a season ago. For his efforts, Bentley was named to the Lansing State Journal Dream Team.
8. Max Wittwer-6-3, 185-Utica Eisenhower-Just a winner, Wittwer, one of the best dual-threat QBs in the Midwest, helped lead Eisenhower to the Division 1 state semifinals last season, losing on a last-second touchdown pass to Detroit Cass Tech, the eventual champion. Like others on this star-studded list, Wittwer can move the chains with his arm or with his running ability. Last year, he threw for 1,677 yards and 21 TDs with four interceptions, while rushing for 819 yards and nine TDs. Behind Wittwer, Eisenhower set school records for offense, recording 509 points, with 72 TDs, while averaging 42.5 points per game. Wittwer was named Macomb Area Conference Red Division MVP and Detroit Free Press All-East first team as a junior.
9. Nolan Bird-6-2, 190-Grand Ledge- A coach's son, Bird obviously knows the game of football. That knowledge helps make him a difficult quarterback to fool, defensive alignment-wise. While the savvy, football smarts are inherent, Bird's physical skills are also quite natural. With an accurate, strong arm, Bird threw for 1,510 yards and 10 TDs last season en route to Lansing State Journal Dream Team accolades.
10. Aaron Jackson-6-2, 210-Detroit Cass Tech-For most teams, Jackson would have been a two- or- three-year starter, but playing behind All-Stater Rodney Hall (a three-year starter for the Technicians, Northern Illinois commit) made it difficult to see the field for any significant time. Now, however, this is Jackson's year. Every time he was able to see the field throughout his prep career, he has been magnificent. Look for Jackson to explode on the scene this season for Cass Tech. A big-bodied QB, Jackson has a powerful arm and good running ability. In the Technicians' wide open offense, Jackson will flourish. Verbal to EMU.
Other top QB prospects (all are D-I level) -- Michael Lynn-6-1, 185-Lansing Catholic Central (threw for 1,640 yards and eight TDs, while running for 1,051 yards and 23 TDs last season, Lansing State Journal Dream Team, Detroit Free Press D-5 All-State first team selection as junior), Blake Daniels-6-5, 205-L'Anse Creuse, David McCullum-6-2, 180-Waterford Mott (passed for 2,111 yards and 24 TDs last year, while rushing for 459 yards and two TDs, Louisville offer), John Paddock-6-1, 190-Bloomfield Hills (passed for 1,500 yards and 20 TDs last season, Ball State verbal), Joel Knierim-6-4, 180-Merrill (threw for 2,000 yards and 20 TDs last year). Joel Wilson-6-4, 195-Petoskey (passed for 900 yards and 10 TDs, also talented punter), Jayden Day-5-10, 185-Muskegon Orchard View (4.6 40, also skilled RB, DB), Cal Endicott-6-5, 190-Flushing, Eli McLean-6-3, 200-Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, David Kruse-6-2, 200-Lowell, Jordan Sherman-6-4, 175-Homer (finished with 1,500 yards passing and 21 TDs last season, named to the Battle Creek Enquirer All-Area team), Bryce Bearss-6-5, 200-Millington (threw for 2,300 yards and 27 TDs last season, Detroit Free Press Division 6 All-State first team, Morehead State offer).
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