Top 10 Wide Receivers for Michigan's Class of 2019

In years past, I've always started my position-by-position rankings with the two areas on the football field which I feel are the most important and crucial to success -- the offensive and defensive lines. This year, however, I've decided to begin my statewide position rankings with the wide receiver group. Besides the offensive line and defensive backs, I believe the state of Michigan is traditionally strongest at wide receiver, at least when it comes to offensive skill positions. The class of 2019 is no different when it comes to the wide receiver position, with multiple players among the best in the Midwest and a few, in my opinion, on a short list of the most talented in the country. Last season, some of the top wide receivers in Michigan included West Bloomfield's A.J. Abbott (Wisconsin), Detroit Cass Tech's Brandon Gray (Washington State), Detroit King's Erik Gibson (Minnesota) and West Bloomfield's Taj Mustapha (Wisconsin). This upcoming season, the state of Michigan's wide receiver class is one of the deepest, talent-wise, in recent memory. Here are the top 10 wide receivers for the class of 2019 in Michigan --

Michigan's Top 10 wide receivers for the class of 2019 -- (all are Division I prospects)

1. Julian Barnett-6-2, 195-Belleville- This kid is one of the best two-way players in the nation. Not only the top WR prospect in the state of Michigan, but also the best DB recruit, as well. Rugged, physical and fast, Barnett uses his height and 4.5 speed to overwhelm opponents on either side of the football. He could be a lock down CB at the next level or a hard-hitting safety or a sure-handed, strong WR. Verbal to Michigan State.
2. Damari Roberson-6-2, 190-Muskegon Mona Shores- The "Julian Barnett" of Michigan's west side of the state, Roberson is an explosive athlete with speed and deep-threat ability. Though not a defensive guy like Barnett, Roberson is every bit as talented and game-changing as Barnett as a WR. High-level Division I ability, with Big Ten talent and size, Roberson is one of the best WRs in the Midwest. Verbal to WMU.
3. Jalen Graham-6-2, 205-Detroit Cass Tech- Graham is one of my favorite players in the state of Michigan. This kid is one of the most gifted football players in the Great Lakes State. A two-way star, Graham could play QB, WR, DB or even bulk up to play LB at the next level. I like him, though, as a big, tough WR who could project to 6-2, 220 or so at the next level and be one of those clutch, strong receivers who make the big catches in traffic. Maryland, Pitt, Indiana, Purdue, Iowa State, Minnesota, Rutgers, Kentucky, Boston College, Missouri offers.
4. Tre Mosley-6-2, 185-West Bloomfield-The latest in what is becoming a long line of big-time wide receivers for the Lakers. Mosley follows in the high-level D-I footsteps of former West Bloomfield WR standouts Kyle Brown (Michigan State), Trishton Jackson (Syracuse), A.J. Abbott (Wisconsin) and Taj Mustapha (Wisconsin). Silky smooth as a receiver, Mosley is a superb route runner with some of the best hands in the country. Verbal to Michigan State.
5. Keondra Glass-6-3, 185-Battle Creek Central- One of my top sleepers in the state of Michigan for the class of 2019, Glass, who earned Battle Creek Enquirer All-City honors last season, suits up for a legendary football program and is the most explosive player in southwest Michigan. Raw, but crazy athleticism. A three-sport standout for the Bearcats, besides football, Glass also plays basketball (I've read articles where he's been described as the toughest player on the squad and is assigned to defend opposing players normally three to four inches taller) and runs track (he's clocked a 22.3 in the 200 meters). Not a polished receiver, but his ceiling is as high or potentially higher than any player on this list.
6. Tate Hallock-6-4, 195-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central- Another one of those "super athletes" who could play on either side of the football at the next level. Son of former NFL player FB-HB Ty Hallock (Greenville, MSU), the younger Hallock is a do-it-all-type talent for the Rangers. I've gone back and forth where I think he'd best fit in college, position-wise. He could bulk up and be a 6-4, 225-230 OLB, or be a 6-4, 215 SS or a 6-4, 220 WR. With 4.5 speed and an NFL pedigree, Hallock is an intriguing prospect. Verbal to Michigan State.
7. James Patrick-6-1, 170-Grand Rapids Christian- One of the premier deep threats in the state of Michigan, Patrick is a slippery, explosive player in the open field and a defensive back's nightmare. He's not receiving a lot of publicity on the recruiting trail for some odd reason, but this kid is a Big Ten-level talent all the way. Ended up with 41 catches, for 904 yards and nine TDs, including a 4-TD performance against Caledonia, last season.
8. Cody Tierney-5-10, 170-Grand Rapids Northview- Arguably the top slot receiver prospect in the state of Michigan for the class of 2019, Tierney, like James Patrick, seems to be a bit under-recruited at the moment. With a quick burst and sharp, crisp cutting ability, Tierney can take it the distance from anywhere on the field. Finished with 58 receptions, for 1,329 yards and 19 TDs last season. With 4.4 speed and cat-like reflexes, Tierney, who earned AP Division 3-4 All-State last season, is a high-level recruit.
9. Jalen McGaughey-6-3, 205-Detroit King- Strong and powerful, McGaughey is a handful for any opposing DB assigned to defend him. Missed most of last season for the Crusaders, McGaughey is ready to explode onto the scene this upcoming season (recently received Minnesota and Missouri offers). Another fine two-way player, McGaughey, who runs a 4.5 40, could bulk up and play SS or OLB at the next level. Verbal to Northern Illinois. 
10. Heath Baldwin-6-4, 195-Kalamazoo United- Another amazing all-around athlete, Baldwin competes in football, basketball and track and field. On the oval, Baldwin led Kalamazoo Hackett (Hackett combines with another school for football) to a Division 4 state championship this past spring, placing first in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.83, first in the long jump with a leap of 22-2.5, fourth in the 300-meter hurdles in 40.75 and seventh in the high jump with a height of 6-1. On the gridiron, Baldwin was named to the AP Division 5-6 All-State squad last season. (TIE) Terryon Liddell-5-11, 170-Saginaw Swan Valley- Helped lead the Vikings to a Division 5 state runner-up spot last season. An all-around threat, Liddell finished last year with 21 receptions for 498 yards and five touchdowns, while as a defensive back, he had four interceptions. With 4.5 speed, Liddell is also an electrifying kick and punt returner. Last season, Liddell was named to the AP Division 5-6 All-State team.

Other top WR prospects for Michigan's class of 2019 -- (all are D-I prospects at some level)
David Ellis-6-0, 190-Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (Verbal to Indiana), Kyron McKinnie-Harper-6-0, 175-Detroit Cass Tech (Verbal to CMU), Darrell Wyatt-6-2, 185-Detroit King (Verbal to CMU), Will VanWieren-6-4, 200-Holland Christian (Holland Sentinel All-Area as junior, 70 catches, 921 yards, 9 TDs), Bryon Wilkinson-6-3, 200-Woodhaven, Kobi Russell-6-1, 185-Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood (Verbal to Colgate), Evan Vaillancourt-5-10, 190-Warren DeLaSalle (returning starter for defending D-2 state champions), Ty Broden-6-4, 180-West Bloomfield (Indiana, Iowa State, Purdue, Syracuse offers), Brendan Sersaw-5-9, 165-Clare (one of the best prospects in northern Michigan, Division 5-6 All-State as a junior), Case Conley-6-6, 185-Williamston, Matt Bradley-5-11, 175-Waterford Mott, Kejuan Sanders-6-1, 180-Detroit Community, Avery Grenier-6-0, 180-Livonia Churchill, C.J. Samborn-6-5, 175-Bay City All Saints, Matt Grand-Girard-5-11, 175-Ionia (35 receptions, 691 yards, 9 TDs, Lansing State Journal Dream Team as junior), Kalen Brown-6-1, 185-Wyoming Godwin Heights (Grand Rapids All-South pick as junior, had 21 receptions for 549 yards and eight TDs last season), Hunter Neff-6-3, 185-Chelsea, Carter Grove-6-1, 200-Midland, Justin Jelks-6-4, 180-Ypsilanti, Ethan Weatherspoon-6-2, 195-Napoleon (Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team selection as junior, caught 28 passes for 632 yards and seven TDs, also standout DB, undefeated state champion wrestler at 189 pounds last year), Nick Sierocki-6-0, 170-Midland Dow (Division 1-2 All-State, three-year varsity player, 37 catches, 770 yards, 11 TDs, 570 rush yards, 5 TDs, elected team captain as junior).

PHOTO -- Grand Rapids Christian's D-I prospect James Patrick (6-1, 170) is one of the state of Michigan's most explosive players. Last season, Patrick caught 41 passes for 904 yards and nine touchdowns. Patrick is the No. 7-ranked wide receiver recruit in the Great Lakes State for the class of 2019. Photo by Mike Clark, MLive.