Top 10 Tight End Prospects for Michigan's Class of 2019

The state of Michigan historically has developed and produced big-time tight end prospects over the decades. Arguably the greatest tight end in modern NFL history, future Hall-of-Famer Antonio Gates (Detroit Central, Kent State) is a native Michigander, while other former NFL stars from the Great Lakes State include Rodney Holman (Ypsilanti, Tulane), Pete Metzelaars (Portage Central, Wabash College), Ron Kramer (East Detroit, U-M), Fred Arbanas (Redford St. Mary, MSU), Pete Mitchell (Birmingham Brother Rice, Boston College) and Jay Riemersma (Zeeland, U-M). This year's tight end group can do it all, from blocking up front, to catching passes in traffic or in space. Here are the state of Michigan's top tight end prospects for the class of 2019 --

Top 10 Tight End Recruits for Michigan's Class of 2019 -- 

1. Dayton Keller-6-4, 250-Jackson Lumen Christi- A three-year starter for defending D-6 state champion Lumen Christi, Keller is a gifted athlete for a kid his size. Named to the Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team for football and basketball as a junior, Keller is one of those special athletes who is a mismatch on either side of the ball (he's also a dominating DE). Strangely, he's being a bit under-recruited at the moment. Big Ten? Get on this kid...
2. Jack Sherwin-6-4, 235-Traverse City Central- Amazing physical specimen who can star on either side of the line of scrimmage at the D-I level. At times, an unblockable DE for the Trojans, Sherwin is a Big Ten-level player who has chosen to play in the MAC. Verbal to WMU
3. Mike Harding-6-6, 225-Detroit Catholic Central- Physical, punishing blocker first and foremost from legendary Detroit Catholic Central program, but also has all the tools to catch passes down the field. Well-coached, technically sound, would make an outstanding recruit for an Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Northwestern-type Big Ten program.
4. Travis Miracle-6-3, 240-Yale- A talented receiver who could become a quality H-back at the next level or blocker up front. Like many on this list, Miracle, one of the best D-I recruits to come out of the Thumb area of Michigan in years, is also a high-level DE prospect, using brute strength and quickness to control one side of the field.
5. Hunter Crenshaw-6-5, 225-Flint Powers Catholic- Could be a devastating rush DE at the next level, but I like him as a physical edge blocker and receiver on offense. From a perennial power program that has churned out multiple D-I and NFL players over the years, including former All-Pro cornerback and current Notre Dame defensive back coach Todd Lyght and Super Bowl champion linebacker Jim Morrissey (Super Bowl XX with Chicago Bears).
6. Marshawn Kneeland-6-4, 230-Wyoming Godwin Heights- I love this kid. One of the top players in the Grand Rapids area. Could play at the D-I level on either side of the football. Fluid player with soft hands and big-time athleticism. Caught 19 passes for 300 yards last season, while as a DE had 80 tackles, 19 TFL and 15 sacks. Named to the Grand Rapids All-South first team.
7. Mitchell Kuzma-6-5, 245-Remus Chippewa Hills- Another athletic big man who can run and catch the football. Former wide receiver, also hard-hitting, physical DE.
8. Jason Proctor-6-5, 230-Harbor Springs- Three-sport standout for Rams (basketball and baseball, as well), one of my top sleepers for Michigan's class of 2019, smooth, nimble athlete with a Big Ten body already. Could also play DE at next level. Definite D-I recruit, but the type of player from a small northern Michigan school who gets overlooked, ends up going to Grand Valley State or Northern Michigan, gains 25-30 pounds and ends up playing in the NFL. Big Ten, MAC get on this kid.
9. Mason Vredeveld-6-6, 230-Allendale-Big, strong, athletic tight end from Grand Rapids area. Talented blocker. Skilled basketball player, as well. Air Force offer.
10. (3-way tie) Drew Peterson-6-3, 225-Maple City Glen Lake -- Three-year starter for northern Michigan powerhouse program. Cornell, Morehead State offers
     Caleb Williams-6-4, 225-Farmington Hills Harrison- Also top-flight DE prospect, runs 4.5 40. I believe Williams will have a breakout-type year for the nationally renowned Hawk program, in its final season.
     Tucker Taylor-6-3, 220-Gwinn- Outstanding all-around athlete, named to the Upper Peninsula Dream Team as a junior, earned Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 7 All-State first team honors last year, also explosive basketball player who brings Modeltowner (yes, that's the team nickname -- cool, huh?) fans to their feet with highlight reel slam dunks. My No. 4-ranked overall recruit in the Upper Peninsula.

Other top tight end prospects for Michigan's class of 2019 (all are D-I recruits) -- 
Jamal Case-6-3, 225-Jackson Northwest (love this kid's potential, runs a 4.6 40, had 37 catches for 614 yards and four TDs as junior), Tyson Claeys-6-4, 230-Johannesburg-Lewiston (Air Force offer), Ethan Riley-6-4, 235-Trenton, Ian Sousa-6-4, 235-Kingsley, Ethan Hincka-6-3, 220-Rogers City, Andre Smith-6-6, 215-Pewamo-Westphalia, Wyatt Drum-6-3, 220-Richland Gull Lake, Erik Fraeyman-6-4, 240-Romeo, Robert Bell-6-5, 230-Redford Thurston, Jordan Dent-6-3, 215-Lowell, Gavin Cossou-6-6, 220-Greenville, Michael Brauer-6-3, 220-Howell, Jesse Cook-6-7, 210-North Muskegon, Gunnar Gavalis-6-4, 215-Plainwell, Reuben Blanco-6-2, 250-Wyoming Lee (will be four-year starter), Brad Osborne-6-4, 250-Hamilton, Nick Christian-6-5, 220-Chelsea (three-sport standout, plays basketball and baseball, as well for Bulldogs), Jaden Mabin-6-5, 250-Mattawan, Hunter Clark-6-3, 245-Lincoln-Alcona.

PHOTO -- Gwinn tight end Tucker Taylor (6-3, 220) is an explosive player for the Modeltowners. Taylor was named to the Upper Peninsula Dream Team last season as a junior. Ranked the No. 1 tight end prospect in the Upper Peninsula (No. 10 overall in Michigan) and the No. 4-ranked recruit in the U.P., Taylor is a raw talent, but a bonafide Division I college football prospect. Photo by Adam Niemi/The Daily News.