Will you please indulge me for a minute? Before I list the top 10 O-line prospects for Michigan's class of 2019, let's take a quick look at, if recruiting in this state was up to par, what MSU's and U-M's offensive lines could/should/would look like in four years or so (including last season's outstanding offensive line class, as well). Granted some of these players could also play defensive line, but the focus here is on offense, so that's the point of emphasis.
Michigan -- (projected heights/weights and schools they eventually signed with or have verbally committed to)
RT-Ryan Hayes-Sr.-6-7, 315-Traverse City, MI -- U-M
RG-Marquan McCall-Sr.-6-4, 330-Oak Park, MI -- Kentucky
C-Tyrone Sampson-Sr.-6-4, 315-Detroit, MI -- Fresno State
LG-Michael Furtney-Sr.-6-5, 315-Sr.-Milan, MI -- Wisconsin
LT-Logan Brown-Jr.-6-7, 320-Jr.-East Kentwood, MI -- Wisconsin
-- And I know Jalen Mayfield-Sr.-6-5, 305-Grand Rapids, MI is at U-M, but I just see him as a D-linemen. Plus, if these guys above were in the Wolverine program, Michigan wouldn't need him on the O-line (at least in my humble opinion).
Michigan State -- (projected heights/weights and schools they eventually signed with or have verbally committed to)
RT-Antwan Reed-Sr.-6-7, 325-Muskegon, MI -- WMU
RG-Anthony Bradford-Jr.-6-5, 340-Muskegon, MI -- LSU
C-Devontae Dobbs-Jr.-6-4, 315-Belleville, MI -- MSU
LG-Spencer Brown-Jr.-6-6, 325-Walled Lake, MI -- MSU
LT-Adam Berghorst-Jr.-6-7, 310-Zeeland, MI -- MSU
Both of these lines, in my opinion, are not only Big Ten championship-level, but national championship-level. If these guys received the proper coaching/teaching, etc., in four years both lines would be out-of-this-world good. Look at the right side of MSU's line -- are you kidding me? Those two guys grew up playing together and would be such a powerful twosome, destroying any defenders in their paths. Hand the ball off to their former Muskegon High teammate, Ladarius Jefferson (6-2, 225-Sr., projected) and as MSU coach Mark Dantonio once so eloquently said, "We grinded meat." Exactly -- that's what would eventually happen to every Spartan opponent if this line were intact in East Lansing. "Beast" Lansing, indeed. Is it any wonder Muskegon was unbeaten, ranked in the top 15 nationally and won a D-3 state title last season with those three guys? Why couldn't they have been recruited and signed together to one of our state's programs?
And how about those two tackles at Michigan? Both guys are elite pass protectors with long arms and athletic feet. Quarterbacks Sam Johnson (6-4, 210-Jr-Walled Lake, MI) or Bryce Veasley (6-4, 235-Sr.-West Bloomfield, MI), if they would've been enticed to sign with U-M, would have plenty of time and a nice pocket to pass the ball to (potential) receivers A. J. Abbott (6-2, 200-Sr.-West Bloomfield, MI), Taj Mustapha (6-1, 185-Sr.-West Bloomfield, MI) and Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen (6-2, 195-Jr.-Walled Lake, MI and Johnson's high school teammate). Behind this explosive threesome (Veasley, Abbott and Mustapha), West Bloomfield finished as D-1 (big school) state runner-up last season. Why couldn't this West Bloomfield threesome have been recruited as a package deal and signed together to the Big Ten university 30 minutes or so away from their high school? Let alone, the fact their high school head coach was a Wolverine wide receiver back in the day, as well. Why didn't this happen? It seemed to have been "written in the stars," if only our D-I college football programs had their "you know what" together when it comes to recruiting in this state. Okay, I climbed up on my soapbox a little, sorry...
And with that off my chest, here, without further adieu, are the state of Michigan's top 10 offensive line prospects for the class of 2019 --
Top 10 Offensive Line Recruits for Michigan's Class of 2019 (all are high-level D-I prospects) --
1. Devontae Dobbs-6-4, 295-Belleville -- Widely regarded as the top offensive line prospect in the nation. Outstanding balance, feet and technique already as a high school player. I believe he could play any line position and be dominant. Belleville, located between Detroit and Ann Arbor, has a a storied football history with former NFL Pro Bowl players DT Kris Jenkins (Maryland) and LB Ian Gold (U-M) and Super Bowl champion DT Cullen Jenkins (CMU) all once wearing Tiger Orange and Black. Verbal to Michigan State.
2. Logan Brown-6-7, 310-East Kentwood -- Also widely regarded as a top five offensive line recruit nationally. The Great Lakes State has two "Top Five"-level nationally O-linemen for the class of 2019. That should tell you something about the talent at the position in Michigan. Brown is still a bit raw, but his potential ceiling is through the roof. Long arms, size, athleticism -- Brown, from East Kentwood, which is a suburb of Grand Rapids, has it all as a future All-American and NFL guy. Verbal to Wisconsin.
3. Anthony Bradford-6-5, 330-Muskegon -- Almost every year, in any other state, Bradford would be a No. 1-type offensive line recruit, but this season, in Michigan, he's ranked No. 3. That's truly amazing because Bradford is a total stud in the trenches. I see him as a physical, punishing road grader of the highest degree at the next level. He's a bit raw, but man, once he tightens up and gets coached up in college, look out -- I pity the defensive lineman assigned to square up against him and try to push him back. Verbal to LSU.
4. Adam Berghorst-6-7, 270-Zeeland East -- Berghorst might be the finest all-around lineman prospect in Michigan, if not the Midwest (though Flint Carman-Ainsworth DE Michael Fletcher, a MSU verbal, has D-I offers for football and basketball, might have something to say about that idea). Also a dominating DE, Berghorst could find himself at that position or moving inside to DT at the next level. A three-sport star for Zeeland East, located near Grand Rapids, Berghorst is a top basketball and baseball player, as well. He is an All-State pitcher for the Chix and will have the opportunity to compete in both sports at MSU. Verbal to Michigan State.
5. Spencer Brown-6-6, 290-Walled Lake Western -- Right there, neck and neck, with Adam Berghorst as Michigan's, if not the Midwest's, top two-way lineman, Brown is a terror on both sides of scrimmage for Western, located in the Detroit suburbs. I personally like him as a 6-6, 320-pound defensive tackle at the next level, but he could be just as skilled and impactful on the offensive line. An overwhelming force in the trenches, Brown has great leverage and quickness for a player his size. Verbal to Michigan State.
6. Karsen Barnhart-6-5, 285-Paw Paw -- From same small southwest Michigan school and town as NFL Pro Bowl DE Jason Babin (Paw Paw, WMU, NFL), Barnhart is another offensive lineman that, in previous years or in most other states, would be either No. 1- or No. 2-ranked. In Michigan, for the class of 2019, Barnhart is my No. 6-ranked offensive line prospect. An outstanding hoops player for his size, Barnhart has big-time athletic ability and has even played tight end in the past for the Redskins. Like Devontae Dobbs, I believe Barnhart can play any position on the offensive line and succeed. I can see him being an "Alex Mack"-type center at the next level or a pulling guard or a left tackle with his nimble feet and overall athleticism. Verbal to Michigan.
7. Brock Jordan-6-3, 285-Okemos -- The top, pure center in the state of Michigan. Jordan simply nullifies any defender in front of him. With strong feet and balance, Jordan projects out to 6-3, 310-315 at the next level. The best D-I prospect from Okemos, a Lansing suburb, since NFL offensive tackle Taylor Moton (WMU, a second round NFL draft pick in 2017 and currently, after two preseason games, starting at tackle for the Carolina Panthers). Jordan is a Big Ten-level athlete and line recruit. Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State, etc. where are you on this guy?
8. P. J. Brown-6-4, 290-Monroe -- Okay, here's another guy I simply cannot understand why he isn't on every Big Ten or even MAC school's radar? A three-year starter for Monroe, located near the Michigan-Ohio border, in football and a varsity basketball player as a freshman, Brown has feet and athleticism second to no one on this list. I think it's somewhere online, but there's a video of Brown dunking a basketball. How many 6-4, 290-pound kids do you know who can dunk a basketball and play varsity hoops as a freshman at a large Michigan high school. Brown bench presses 345 pounds and squats 525 pounds. From same school as former NFL players LB Audie Cole (North Carolina State), DT Eric Wilson (co-captain at U-M) and WR Carl Ford (Toledo). I see Brown as an athletic, highly-coordinated 6-4, 310-pound center or guard at the next level.
9. Spencer Holstege-6-5, 285-Grand Rapids South Christian -- Just another player who should be ranked higher, but the talent level this upcoming season in Michigan is so deep and skilled, Holstege is ranked No. 9. Another athletic big kid, Holstege for many seasons played tight end for the Sailors. With a good base, strong balance, elite athletic ability, Holstege is not your typical offensive lineman. One of the best athletes at South Christian, Holstege is Big Ten bound -- as he should be. Verbal to Purdue.
10. Keegan Vaughn-6-5, 315-Westland John Glenn- The best O-lineman prospect from Westland John Glenn, located in the Detroit suburbs, since Jeff Graham (starter at center for Michigan State in the 1990s), Vaughn is so big and strong. Thick-legged and powerful, Vaughn is already Big Ten-sized. He will be a three-year varsity starter (he played at Livonia Stevenson as a sophomore). Vaughn is a rugged, physical specimen in the trenches. I project him as a 6-5, 330 offensive guard. From same school as recent NFL players WR Keshawn Martin (Michigan State) and RB Jeremy Langford (Michigan State).
Other top offensive linemen for Michigan's class of 2019 (all are D-I prospects at some level) --
Jack Haverdink-6-4, 270-OT-Portage Northern (Dad Kevin played OT in the NFL), Hayden VanderWeele-6-4, 265-OT-Portage Northern, Michael Sarabyn-6-6, 290-OT-Dowagiac, Bruin French-6-4, 295-OG-Clare, Zach Carpenter-6-6, 280-OT-Farwell (also starts at center on basketball team), Bryant Schram-6-3, 285-OG-C-Iron River West Iron County (Upper Peninsula Dream Team selection as junior, U.P. Division 2 shot put state champion-48-1, third in discus-119-11), Bryce Neff-6-4, 270-Gaylord, Stuart Kettler-6-6, 270-OT-East Grand Rapids (Ball State, Bowling Green State, Miami (OH), Toledo offers), Jonah Erickson-6-5, 285-OT-OG-C-Rockford (three-year starter), Tyler Sikkema-6-5, 270-OT-Wayland, Peyton Young-6-5, 300-OT-Muskegon Oakridge (three-year starter), Marquis Cooper-6-3, 320-OG-Muskegon, William Racely-6-4, 270-OG-C-Flushing (Verbal to EMU), Jake Esckilsen-6-5, 305-OT-Hemlock (310 bench press), Jayson Tunstall-6-3, 265-OG-C-New Lothrop (Division 7-8 All-State selection as junior), Jacob Dean-6-9, 315-OT-Walled Lake Western (Iowa State, U-M, WMU, Kent State, Ohio offers), Mahdi Hazime-6-3, 290-OG-C-Dearborn Fordson (Morehead State, Morgan State offers), Ali Jaber-6-7, 335-OT-Dearborn Fordson, Mohamed Saad-6-5, 285-OT-Dearborn, Zach Conti-6-7, 300-OT-Trenton, Evan Orme-6-6, 255-OT-Riverview Gabriel Richard (also top hoops player), Trevon Roberts-6-2, 290-OG-C-Detroit Central (Detroit News first-team All-Detroit honors as junior), Allen Jones-6-5, 315-OT-Detroit Cass Tech, Christian Dudley-6-2, 280-OG-Detroit Cass Tech, Rachon Gulley-6-4, 325-OG-Detroit East English Village (Detroit News second-team All-Detroit selection as junior), Deshawn Ingram-6-5, 285-OT-Detroit King (Verbal to Howard), Danny Motowski-6-2, 270-C-Warren DeLaSalle (Verbal to CMU), Chris Cominos-6-3, 265-OG-Warren DeLaSalle (will be three-year starter for defending D-2 state champions), Mikey LaFontsee-6-3, 240-OG-C-Newaygo, Tyler Oxley-6-2, 250-C-Jackson County Parma Western (three-year starter, 300 bench press), Connor Krauss-6-2, 300-C-Grandville, Kyle Wojczynski-6-3, 260-OG-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, Jarrett Short-6-3, 245-OG-Grand Blanc, Logan Miller-6-5, 315-OG-Allendale, Joe Boehmer-6-2, 275-OG-Traverse City St. Francis, Brandon Gross-6-3, 280-OG-Montrose (three-year starter), Brandon Silvers-6-3, 245-C-Charlotte (three-year starter), Hayden Blair-6-6, 260-OT-Bay City Western.
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