Michigan's class of 2019 "30 Sleepers" (all are D-I prospects) --
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Jack Haverdink-6-4, 255-OT-Portage Northern- The upside for this kid is so high. I feel he could play any position on the O-line at the next level. Haverdink was practically born to play offensive line -- it's in his genes. Haverdink's father, Kevin (Hamilton, WMU) played in the NFL for three seasons as an offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints in the late 1980s-early 1990s. This kid is Big Ten-level all the way.
Hayden VanderWeele-6-4, 245-OT-Portage Northern- In one of the best stories for the class of 2019 in Michigan, VanderWeele, like his teammate Jack Haverdink, has a father who played D-I college football as an offensive tackle. In a "what a small world it is" moment, VanderWeele's dad Gary also played at WMU and was the right tackle for the Broncos, while Kevin Haverdink was the left tackle. Now, almost 30 years later, the former college roommates' sons are bookend tackles for Portage Northern. Crazy... Like Jack, Hayden is a high-level D-I college football prospect. It would be quite the recruiting coup for some savvy D-I program to sign both Jack and Hayden. Indiana? Illinois? Kansas? Maryland?? And similar schools/programs, take a look at these two players. As Sandra Bullock's character in the "Blind Side" said to the high school coach as she was walking away after teaching her "adopted son" Michael how and why he needed to pass block and protect the quarterback, I say to any D-I college football program who signs either of these young men -- "You can thank me later."
Bruin French -- 6-4, 295-OT-Clare- From one of the top programs in Northern Michigan, French is an absolute mauler up front for the Pioneers. While U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow is a Clare High School graduate and downtown Clare's Cops & Doughnuts is arguably the single greatest doughnut shop in the country (the blueberry donuts are so good and are as big as a small child's head), college football coaches and recruiters have another reason to visit the town -- and that's to see French. I project him growing to 6-4, 330 at the next level and becoming one of those mean and nasty pulling guards for some power running, meat-grinding team. (BTW, I just figured out how to add photos. Hopefully, I'm doing it right. It only took me four years... Heck, I still have a landline phone, soooo...).
Bryant Schram -- 6-3, 285-OT-OG- Iron River West Iron County -- Oh man, this kid is as rugged as they come. Any guy who comes from a town called Iron River and lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you can bet he's as tough as nails. Schram is not only physical and powerful, he's a talented football player, as well. Schram was so good, he was named to the Upper Peninsula Dream Team as a junior this past season. He is definitely a sleeper, but he shouldn't be. He's D-I for sure. He's a guy, who in three or four years, as a RS So. or RS Jr. would be 6-3, 325 and just a road grader of the highest order.
P.J. Brown -- 6-4, 280-OG-Monroe -- I absolutely love this kid. He's the best recruit out of Monroe since LB Audie Cole (North Carolina State, Minnesota Vikings, NFL). What I love most about Brown is his mobility. A fantastic athlete, Brown has been playing varsity basketball for the Trojans since he was a freshman. He has excellent feet for a player his size. He could play OT in college because of his athleticism, but I see him as a 6-4, 305-310 guard or even a center, with the footwork and ability to be quick in tight spaces and big and powerful enough to move people. He's a very high-level D-I sleeper recruit in the state of Michigan.
Peyton Young -- 6-4, 310-OT-Muskegon Oakridge -- One of the top offensive line prospects in the Grand Rapids/Muskegon area of Michigan. Young will be a three-year player for Oakridge. With overpowering size and girth, Young has been a key blocker for sophomore running back sensation Leroy Quinn (6-0, 220), one of Michigan's highest-rated recruits for the class of 2020.
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DE-Luke Marsh-6-4, 250-Montague- This kid is outstanding. He'll be a four-year starter for Montague (a school just outside of Muskegon). Also a top-flight O-lineman, who I feel could be a high-level center or guard in college. As a DE, however, Marsh is quite a force to be reckoned with for the Wildcats. With good agility and power at the point of attack, Marsh manhandles most opponents lined up across from him. I've liked this kid for years now. It'll be interesting to see how his recruitment goes next season.
DT-Cole Stout-6-5, 255-Muskegon Mona Shores- As opposed to Luke Marsh, who's been on my radar for multiple seasons, Stout is somewhat new to my knowledge. But, oh man, what a talent this young man is already. Playing on one of Michigan's best squads last year, Stout teamed with fellow DT senior Chuckie Anthony (6-2, 295) and junior standout LB Jacob Wahlberg (6-4, 220, Pitt offer) to form the nucleus of one of the state of Michigan's best front seven units. Stout could flesh out at 6-5, 305 at the next level and be an absolute beast in the trenches for some Big Ten-type-level college program.
DE-Nathan Elenbaas-6-3, 230-Williamston -- One of the Lansing area's top-ranked D-I prospects for the class of 2019. Elenbaas is a machine, whose motor never seems to stop. This past season, Elenbaas was practically unblockable from his DE position for the Hornets, recording 110 tackles, including 21 TFL and 12 sacks. For his efforts this past season, Elenbaas was named to the Lansing State Journal Dream Team. He's a sleeper, but another one of those bonafide D-I guys who's under-recruited at the moment.
DE-DT-Peyton Dustin-6-5, 250-Berrien Springs -- From a small school in Southwest Michigan that has produced four Division I players in the last five years (including players who signed with Notre Dame, Michigan State and Michigan), Dustin, along with sophomore standout DT-OG Garrett Jones (6-4, 260), could possibly be the next two Shamrocks to compete at the D-I level on the gridiron. Raw for sure, Dustin though has excellent size, mobility and length to project to the D-I level. Last season, Dustin used his speed and athleticism to return a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown -- no small feat for a kid his size, who normally would be caught from behind.
DE-Dominique Davidson-6-6, 220-Lansing Everett -- Drool. And if you're a D-I football coach or recruiter, then you should be drooling, too, over the off-the-charts potential of Davidson. A hard-driven, freak-of-an-athlete-type player, Davidson could be a star player on either side of the football at DE or TE. This kid is one of the underclassmen players I'm most excited about watching this off-season and into next year, regarding his overall development. Also is a standout hoops player for one of Michigan's legendary basketball programs (some guy named Magic is a former Everett Viking). Davidson has all the physical tools to be a high-level D-I DE growing to 6-6, 260-270 and being one of those elite athletes that causes all kinds of problems for any OT attempting to run or pass block him on the edge. In the pics below, Davidson used his length and speed to get around the edge and block an extra point attempt, while on the hardcourt, he's shown going up for a two-handed slam dunk. Photos by Al Goldis, Lansing State Journal.
-- Up next, I'll highlight class of 2019 D-I-level sleeper DE-TE combo guys, LBs and two-way standouts. Here's a preview of a few of the players I'll shine the spotlight on in my next blog installment --
DE-TE Evan Orme-6-6, 245-Riverview Gabriel Richard
LB-TE-HB-Boone Bonnema-6-3, 215-Zeeland East
RB-LB-Maurice Hutchinson-6-2, 215-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
RB-WR-DB-KR-Terryon Liddell-5-10, 170-Saginaw Swan Valley
RB-QB-DB-Drew Stout-6-2, 185-Carson City-Crystal
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