Michigan's Top 20 Players for the Class of 2020

Though these players recently were only in the ninth-grade, they're still some of the top underclassmen football prospects in the country. Players from this list have already received offers from D-I schools such as Louisville, Syracuse, Illinois and Ohio State to name but a few. Crazy... The recruiting game has changed so much in just the past decade. I find it amazing kids so young are already receiving offers and being recruited by high-level D-I football powers. Heck, Belleville eighth-grader Damon Payne (6-4, 250, OT) has already received an offer from Kentucky. An EIGHTH-GRADER... I'm actually all for finding, identifying and starting the evaluation process of these players as potential college football recruits as early as possible, but it still shocks me how young these kids are. My goodness, I was lucky enough to get my first real kiss in eighth-grade (thanks, Gail -- yes, I've learned to take the gum out of my mouth! Ha), let alone an offer to play college football. It also shows me just how good the high school football talent is in the state of Michigan. That being said, here is an early, early, early list of Michigan's top 20 football players/prospects for the class of 2020. As with all of my lists, this is fluid and subject to change as new players emerge throughout the next three seasons.

Michigan's top 20 players for the class of 2020 --

1. Tristen Hines-5-10, 170-CB-Milan-I don't know how many camps this kid attends, but I do know he performs on the field when the lights are on and it's game time. Last season, Hines earned Ann Arbor News Dream Team honors and was also an All-Huron League first team selection as a freshman. Hines had seven interceptions and 76 tackles last year.
2. Justin Rogers-6-3, 265-OT-Oak Park-The next in a long line of outstanding, big-time offensive linemen from Oak Park (Marquan McCall is the top OL for the class of 2018 and has verbally committed to Kentucky, while 2017 OT JaRaymond Hall will play at Michigan beginning this fall), Rogers is a bulldozer up front for the Knights. A starter as a freshman, Rogers already has big-time talent. Kentucky, Syracuse, Iowa State, Pitt, Boston College offers.
3. Dustin Fletcher-6-3, 210-QB-LB-Flint Carman-Ainsworth-Started at QB last season for the Cavaliers. Threw for 1,746 yards and 19 TDs with only three interceptions. Outstanding all-around athlete, brother Mike Fletcher (6-6, 240, DE) is my No. 2-ranked player overall for Michigan's class of 2019.
4. Leroy Quinn-6-0, 215-LB-RB-Muskegon Oakridge-Quinn is an absolute load on either side of the football. A headhunter as a LB and a physical, punishing-type runner on offense. Quinn will be a four-year, two-way starter before his career ends for the Eagles.
5. Evan Egan-6-5, 270-OT-Durand-A mammoth OT, Egan already has college football size. A starter as a freshman for the Railroaders, Egan is indeed a freight train when it comes to flattening opposing defenders. A three-sport athlete, Egan also plays basketball and baseball for Durand.
6. Enzo Jennings-6-2, 180-DB-RB-Oak Park-Arguably the best two-way player for the Knights since John Kelly (currently starting at TB for Tennessee), Jennings has big play potential on either side of the football. Could top this list before it's all said and done. Kentucky offer.
7. Ra'Shawn Williams-6-1, 200-WR-DB-Detroit King-Like Jennings, Williams excels on both sides of the football. A tough, gritty player, Williams should have his "coming out party," if you will, this upcoming season for the national powerhouse Crusaders. Ohio State offer.
8. Cameron Martinez-5-11, 180-WR-QB-DB-Muskegon Catholic Central-From arguably the best small-school football program in the Midwest, if not the country, Martinez will eventually be a four-year starter for Catholic Central. Martinez will play multiple positions for the Crusaders, from QB to DB to WR. Martinez's versatility makes him one of the best 2020 D-I prospects in Michigan. CMU, Buffalo offers.
9. Christian Fitzpatrick-6-2, 175-WR-West Bloomfield-On a team with two high-level D-I wide receivers already (A.J. Abbott, No.2-ranked WR and Taj Mustapha, No. 7-ranked WR for Michigan's class of 2018), Fitzpatrick is so skilled he will still see the field for the ultra-talented Lakers this upcoming season. Brother Dez is currently a WR at Louisville. Illinois, Syracuse, Louisville offers.
10. Dallas Fincher-6-5, 250-OT-East Kentwood-Big, thick OT that could possibly flesh out to 6-8, 300 by the time he's a senior in high school. Raw, but the potential is through the roof for Fincher. Will play on same line as Logan Brown (6-6, 295, No. 2-ranked OT for Michigan's 2019 class). Brother Trenton is currently OT for San Diego State.

11. Tremayne Oliver-6-3, 235-DE-Detroit Cass Tech
12. Ian Stewart-6-4, 190-WR-DB-Gibraltar Carlson-Basketball and track star, Toledo offer
13. Malik Carr-6-6, 185-WR-TE-Oak Park-Syracuse offer
14. David Carter-6-0, 165-WR-CB-Melvindale
15. John Shelton-5-9, 190-RB-DB-East Grand Rapids-All-State wrestler as freshman

16. Latrell Thompson-6-4, 230-LB-DE-Detroit Delta Prep
17. Josh Priebe-6-5, 265-OG-NG-Edwardsburg
18. Michael Sessoms-6-1, 250-DT-Ecorse
19. Chastin Cross-6-2, 175-WR-CB-Lincoln Park
20. Billie Roberts-6-4, 225-DE-TE-Muskegon

Next 20-

21. Brayden Shaw-6-2, 210-LB-RB-Ithaca
22. Keshawn Stanley-6-0, 175-WR-DB-Wyandotte
23. Athey Dykhouse-6-4, 255-DT-Zeeland East
24. Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen-6-1, 175-WR-Walled Lake Western-Toledo offer
25. Dayton Rose-6-2, 215-P-TE-LB-Muskegon Orchard View-40-yard punt ave. as freshman

26. Bryce Mostella-6-4, 265-OT-East Kentwood
27. Marvus McWright-5-11, 215-LB-Detroit Cass Tech
28. Isaac Kinne-6-1, 190-LB-Lake Orion
29. Kyle Arnoldi-6-3, 240-DT-Walled Lake Northern
30. Remington Schneider-6-2, 170-WR-QB-DB-Montague-Three-sport varsity player as frosh

31. Jaden Littlefield-6-3, 220-TE-DE-Belleville
32. Raquan Bell-6-4, 190-QB-Detroit Renaissance
33. Anthony Enechukwu-6-1, 180-WR-DB-Orchard Lake St. Mary's
34. Adam Lambert-6-5, 255-DT-Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
35. Devell Washington-6-4, 195-WR-Bay City Central

36. Tyler Huenemann-6-2, 235-DE-TE-Mount Pleasant
37. Jobe Long-5-11, 165-QB-DB-Bay City John Glenn
38. Shaun Tolbert-5-11, 185-WR-Saginaw
39. Jacob Lyle-6-1, 165-DB-QB-Kalamazoo Central
40. Tate Mackenzie-6-6, 285-OT-Ypsilanti Lincoln

Next 20-

41. Eli Haidemous-6-2, 260-DT-OG-Holt
42. Garrett Jones-6-3, 255-OG-DT-Berrien Springs\




Up next -- With the high school football season fast approaching, I'll preview my Top 10 teams for the 2017 campaign.