Michigan's Top 10 Tight End Prospects for the Class of 2018

The state of Michigan every year produces multiple high-level Division I college football tight ends. For the class of 2018, the tight end crop is, once again, loaded with D-I talent from top to bottom. Here are the top 10 tight end prospects for the Great Lakes State's class of 2018.

Michigan's Top 10 TE prospects for the class of 2018 -- 

1. Caden Prieskorn-6-6, 235-Orchard Lake St. Mary's- I know, I know. Yes Prieskorn is one of the best quarterbacks in Michigan. And, yes, I know he threw the game-winning TD pass with seconds to go in the Division 3 state championship last season. I know. But I just see him as an incredible TE prospect at the next level. I say that because he is also a high-level D-I basketball recruit, as well. I love athletic, basketball-type players lining up at tight end. And Prieskorn fits that bill to a tee. I just love his overall athleticism. I see him being 6-6, 265 at the collegiate level with the speed and talent to out-jump, out-muscle and out-athlete (if that's even a word), any defender assigned to stop him. Some very astute recruiter/coach is going to get a gem of a player with Prieskorn.
2. Ben VanSumeren-6-3, 220-Essexville-Garber- One of the best tight end prospects in the Midwest. VanSumeren is the consummate H-back-type tight end. Already this off-season he earned MVP honors at the prestigious Nike Football The Opening regional camp. With a 40-inch vertical jump and a 4.7 40, VanSumeren is a difficult assignment for any DB or LB to defend in open space. Last season, he finished with 39 catches for 656 yards and seven TDs, while rushing for 489 yards with six TDs. Also a D-I baseball recruit, VanSumeren is hitting over .400 this spring. Minnesota offer, with Iowa, Notre Dame and Wake Forest recruiting hard.
3. Lee Payton-6-3, 215-River Rouge-Speed, athleticism and toughness signify Payton, one of the top TE-HB prospects in the Midwest. Payton is the type of talent who could even play WR at the next level. With outstanding hands and a large frame, Payton is a nightmare for defenders, especially in space or during a "jump ball" situation. Despite offers from Florida, Syracuse and Indiana, Payton will play in the MAC. Verbal to WMU.
4. Braeden Childress-6-4, 225-Big Rapids-Like VanSumeren, I see Childress as the ideal H-back-type player at the D-I level. A talented all-around athlete (Childress plays QB for Big Rapids and is a big-time basketball prospect, as well), Childress has natural athletic skill that can't be taught. Brother Brandon plays WR for CMU. Big Ten talent with EMU, Toledo, CMU offers so far.
5. Matt Harmon-6-6, 210-Ypsilanti-From the same high school that produced Rodney Holman (Tulane, NFL Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Pro Bowl player, started in the Super Bowl with Bengals), one of the state of Michigan's greatest tight ends. One of those intriguing prospects, Harmon could bulk up and play tight end at the next level or stay lighter and line up at wide receiver. With 4.7 -4.6 range speed, Harmon has unbelievable length and jumping ability. Like many on this list, Harmon is a talented hoops player, too. That combination of size, athleticism and speed makes Harmon a high-level D-I recruit. Minnesota, Kentucky offers.
6. Jake Witt-6-7, 225-Ewen-Trout Creek-With video-game-like numbers last season, Witt is one of the Upper Peninsula's top D-I recruits. Last year, Witt had 71 receptions for 1,168 yards and 25 TDs. A physical match-up nightmare for any defender, Witt plays 8-man football for Ewen-Trout Creek. Last season, Witt was named to the All-U.P. Dream Team. A D-I basketball recruit, as well, Witt last year topped 1,000 points for his career, with his entire senior season still yet to come. One of those once-in-a-lifetime athletes to come out of tiny Ewen-Trout Creek, Witt is being recruited by CMU. Look for multiple D-I offers to come his way once his senior season gets under way. His ceiling is through the roof.
7. Cameron Crosby-6-4, 230-Warren DeLaSalle-A rugged, physical, powerful player from one of Michigan's top programs. Crosby has Big Ten size and potential. With 4.7 speed and a huge frame capable of adding 20 to 30 pounds at the collegiate level, Crosby is a star in the making.
8. Quinn Blair-6-6, 225-Dearborn Divine Child-I feel Blair is going to blow-up state-wise and possibly Midwest-wise this season for Divine Child. I really like this kid. For one thing, he'll be the main target for Michigan's No- 1-ranked QB prospect Theo Day (Michigan State verbal), while he's also a skilled basketball player and a former QB, too. With added weight and muscle mass at the next level, Blair has the potential to be something special.
9. Colton McKiernan-6-6, 220-Richmond-While most on this list excel in football and basketball, McKiernan is a standout on the gridiron and on the mat, as a wrestler. Last season, McKiernan finished as state runner-up at 189 pounds and helped lead the powerhouse Blue Devils (eight state titles) to the Division 3 wrestling state championship. Though one of Michigan's best wrestlers, I like McKiernan as a big, strong, balanced TE at the D-I level. With his grappling background, McKiernan's footwork, hand position, and leverage make him a natural at the TE position or even at OT.
10. James Faulkner-6-4, 215-West Bloomfield-With length, speed and leaping ability, Faulkner plays tight end with wide receiver skills. Last season, he finished with 26 catches for 362 yards and three TDs. With the frame to add muscle and weight at the next level, Faulkner is a big-time talent on a team filled with D-I players. Indiana State and Illinois State offers.

Other top TE prospects (all are D-I level) -- Brecken Stewart-6-5, 215-Sturgis (four-year starter), Luke Buckman-6-6, 225-Holland (older brother Wade is TE at Purdue), Emmett Turner-6-4, 215-Saline (also WR prospect, will be three-year varsity hoops player, also runs track), Cal Johnston-6-5, 225-Grand Ledge (4.7 40, also one of the top baseball prospects in Michigan), Jake Dorn-6-3, 235-St. Johns, Max Lundeen-6-4, 225-East Grand Rapids (also top hoops player), Joe Scott-6-4, 230-Montague (also talented DE), Hunter Sauve-6-4, 245-Wyandotte, Aidan Burns-6-3, 210-Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Jalyn Benning-6-6, 230-Detroit Pershing, Pat Nugent-6-3, 225-Okemos, Evan Geyer-6-6, 250-Frankenmuth, Brady Beckhusen-6-2, 210-Coldwater (three TDs last season, Battle Creek Enquirer All-Area first team as junior), Cooper Twardzik-6-4, 235-Calumet, Logan Lee-6-4, 215-Rockford, Hunter Stearns-6-3, 210-Hudsonville.