The Southwest Michigan All-Region Team is absolutely loaded with top-flight Division I college football talent. This is an area of the state I think doesn't get enough publicity for its big-time high school football. Every year this region churns out state championship caliber teams and high-level D-I prospects. Big Ten schools such as Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern, Minnesota, etc. should be recruiting and signing players from this area every season. Southwest Michigan is an untapped gold mine of football talent right under the noses of multiple struggling Big Ten programs. A smart coach or recruiter from these Big Ten programs and other D-I area schools would be well-rewarded taking a long look at these players below and many others in Southwest Michigan. Some former and current NFL players from the region include RB T. J. Duckett (Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix, MSU, NFL), DE Tony McGee (Battle Creek Central, Wyoming, NFL), OT Jack Conklin (Plainwell, MSU, NFL), WR Greg Jennings (Kalamazoo Central, WMU, NFL), DE Jason Babin (Paw Paw, WMU, NFL), RB Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Wayne State, NFL), TE Pete Metzelaars (Portage Northern, Wabash College, NFL) and Adam Gase (Marshall, MSU, current Miami Dolphins head coach).
WR-Caleb Murphy-6-4, 215-Dowagiac- One of many high-level D-I "sleepers" in this region. Murphy is a big-bodied athlete with 4.5 speed. Being a defensive guy by heart (yes, I believe in the cliche of defense wins championships), I see him projecting to a 6-4, 230 LB or a 6-4, 245 rush DE, with 4.6-4.5 speed, considering the extra weight.
TE-Breckon Stewart-6-5, 215-Sturgis- A four-year starter at Sturgis. Incredible athlete. Brother Chance signed with Wisconsin out of high school as a highly-recruited QB.
OL-Ryan McCafferty-6-9, 290-Battle Creek Harper Creek- Crazy huge size, also plays basketball. Purdue, Indiana, Illinois, where are you on this guy? He also is a 4.0 GPA-type student.
OL-Cameron Wirtz-6-5, 285-Battle Creek Lakeview
OL-Kaleb Clous-6-3, 260-Richland Gull Lake
OL-Jeremy Hall-6-3, 315-Homer
OL-Tirrell Hausmanis-6-4, 260-Three Rivers- Maybe the biggest "sleeper" in this region and one of the least publicized big-time D-I college football recruits in the state of Michigan. I love this kid. Three-year starter for Three Rivers. Long arms, outstanding footwork, skilled pass blocker. Basketball standout. Also a D-I DE prospect, in my opinion.
WR-Brandon Anderson-5-10, 160-Cassopolis- Runs a reported 4.3 40. A slippery, explosive-type guy in the open field. Outstanding in classroom, as well, with a 3.9 GPA.
WR-Bryant Kieft-6-3, 205-Watervliet
QB-Jordan Sherman-6-4, 180-Homer
RB-Dawson Bartlett-6-2, 180-Battle Creek Harper Creek- I know he's been injured for most of the season, but this kid would still be my guy when healthy. Top two-way player. D-I coaches need to take notice.
DE-Ty Hill-6-2, 255-Stevensville-Lakeshore-Not many talk about Hill, but he's tough as nails and a physical, hard-hitting player for the Lancers.
DT-Tyden Ferris-6-4, 260-Delton-Kellogg-All-State wrestler. Verbal to CMU.
DT-Trevor Dilley-6-5, 255-St. Joseph
DE-Steven Laws-6-2, 235-Battle Creek Lakeview
LB-Jacob Huysken-6-1, 205-Schoolcraft- Another kid I love (I know, I'm in a loving mood). He'll be a two-time All-State performer. He has 4.6 speed and natural pass-rushing skills. He's a guy who will be 6-1, 225 at the next level with that uncanny, natural pass-rushing ability so many D-coordinators covet. Small school player, but big-time D-I ability.
LB-Kyle Dotson-6-2, 220-Portage Central
LB-Jordan Wilson-6-0, 205-Homer-I know he's a star RB, but I just see him as a guy who could play in space at the next level and be outstanding in pass defense. Fast, quick-twitch-type guy.
Kyle Shrider-6-2, 215-Edwardsburg
DB-Damyon Wedge-5-10, 170-Allegan
DB-Sean Hopkins-6-2, 165-Benton Harbor
DB-Cam Gillette-5-10, 185-Battle Creek Lakeview
DB-Darius Pruitt-6-4, 205-Kalamazoo Central- I know I love a lot of these guys in the Southwest Region of Michigan, but this guy... C'mon, Big Ten?? He is so very good. From same school as former NFL standouts (WR Greg Jennings, TE-HB Duane Young, RB Jerome Harrison, OL Scott Rehberg and a Major League Baseball player you might have heard of -- Derek Jeter). Every school in the Big Ten should be looking at, if not offering, this kid. Plays for one of the Midwest's top basketball programs and has all of that hoops athleticism to go along with a natural football skill-set. He could be a 6-4, 215 WR or SS or a 6-4, 235 LB at the nex level.
-- Top underclassmen in Southwest Michigan (all are D-I prospects)-
OL-Karson Barnhart-6-5, 285-Paw Paw-Jr.
QB-DB-Eric Wenzel-6-1, 185-Kalamazoo United-Jr.
RB-Eli Potts-6-1, 200-Portage Central-Jr.
DT-OL-Garrett Jones-6-4, 260-Berrien Springs-Soph.
DE-Payton Dustin-6-5, 250-Berrien Springs-Jr.
DB-Jacob Lyle-6-1, 165-Kalamzoo Central-Soph.
DB-RB-Bradley Dunn-6-0, 165-Saugatuck-Jr.
OL-DT-Josh Priebe-6-5, 265-Edwardsburg-Soph.
WR-Heath Baldwin-6-4, 180-Kalamazoo United-Jr.
OL-Jack Haverdink-6-4, 255-Portage Northern-Jr.- Son of former NFL OT Kevin Haverdink.
OL-Hayden VanderWeele-6-4, 245-Portage Northern-Jr.
DB-Tyrese Hunt-Thompson-5-11, 170-Cassopolis-Jr.-Also has a 3.7 GPA.
RB-LB-Darius Clayton-6-0, 195-Benton Harbor-Jr.
OL-Michael Sarabyn-6-6, 290-Dowagiac-Jr.
RB-Jalen Watkins-5-10, 185-Battle Creek Lakeview-Jr.
LB-TE-Gunnar Gavalis-6-4, 205-Plainwell-Jr.
DB-Art Herndon-5-11, 165-St. Joseph-Jr.
WR-Keondra Glass-6-2, 175-Battle Creek Central-Jr.
PK-Antonio Buhrfiend-5-9, 175-St. Joseph-Jr.
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