As one might expect, the state of Michigan's offensive line talent level for the class of 2023 is deep, skilled and athletic, filled with road-graders, pass protectors and pancake makers. As I've said ad nauseam in this blog, the Great Lakes State is by far the best state in the Midwest and one of the elite states in the country, when it comes to producing big-time, high-level Division I college football O-line talent year after year.
I get tired of saying this (and writing this), but the state of Michigan's five D-I-playing college football programs, especially our two Big Ten schools, have done an AWFUL job evaluating and recruiting offensive line talent in this state for years. It's almost embarrassing the offensive line riches available in the Great Lakes State every season, but for some unknown and mind-numbing, inexcusable reason, our five D-I football-playing schools, especially Michigan State and Michigan, have turned their collective backs -- or, at least, been disappointingly lazy and uneducated -- on the state of Michigan's high school football offensive line talent. It's not the only reason, but I'm positive it's a significant explanation, for CMU, WMU, EMU and especially U-M and MSU's poor showing on the football field in recent years.
Anyhow, sorry for the rant -- it's just one man's humble opinion. Either way, here is an early look at the top offensive line prospects for the state of Michigan's class of 2023. Every single one of these players is a D-I college football recruit. Michigan State, Michigan and the MAC schools, take a good look at these guys and DON'T JUST OFFER, but consistently stay on these guys, make them fall in love with your school, your program, your football philosophy and start building a dominant offensive line. Recruiting for your program, especially in the trenches, should always start with state of Michigan kids. Why is this so hard for coaches and recruiters in this state to understand?
Here is an early look at the top 10 offensive line prospects for the state of Michigan's class of 2023.
Michigan's Top 10 Offensive Line Recruits for the Class of 2023 --
1. Amir Herring-6-5, 280-OT-West Bloomfield -- One of the top offensive line recruits in the nation, regardless of class. Just a sophomore, but Herring already is a dominant force for West Bloomfield. Arizona State, Arkansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, Maryland offers.
2. Cole Dellinger-6-4, 270-OT-Clarkston -- Amazing talent -- and he's only a sophomore. Older brother Garrett Dellinger (6-6, 285) is a senior OT at Clarkston and recently verbally committed to LSU. Cole is a force inside for the Wolves on either side of the ball. Intense and physical, Dellinger is already a national recruit. Michigan State, Michigan, Arizona State, LSU offers.
3. Dylan Senda-6-5, 310-C-OG-Dearborn Divine Child -- I can't believe this kid is just a sophomore -- he looks like he could be playing in the NFL right now. From a legendary Detroit Catholic League program, Senda is an absolute monster in the trenches for the Falcons. With Senda's size and mobility, he blows away any defender man enough to line up nose-to-nose with him. With two more seasons of high school football left to play, Senda, by the time he's a senior, could be scary good. Kentucky, Maryland, Syracuse offers.
4. Johnathan Slack-6-3, 265-OT-Detroit King -- I love this guy. Anyone that can be a three-year starter for Detroit King, one of the top programs in the country, is a bonafide, big-time D-I college football prospect. With good movement and power, I see Slack projecting out to 6-3 or 6-4, 295-305 range by the time he's a senior. Michigan State, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Memphis, Southern Miss offers.
5. Taahleak Lewis-6-3, 265-OG-Kalamazoo Central -- A standout at defensive end for the Maroon Giants, Lewis also has the potential to be an outstanding offensive lineman at the next level. Also top five in the state of Michigan for defensive line prospects, Lewis is just a good, all around football player. The potential for Lewis on the gridiron is off the charts. Toledo offer.
6. Luke Zanotti-6-4, 270-OG-OT-Bay City Central -- Rugged, hard-hitting and powerful two-way star for Central, Zanotti is a load inside for the Wolves. Flying under the radar a bit right now, recruiting-wise, but in two years, look for Zanotti to be the next great Bay City Central lineman, following in the footsteps of former Wolves legends Bill Hewitt (U-M, NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame), Jim Kanicki (MSU, NFL), Dennis Wirgowski (Purdue, NFL), Alex Mitchell (U-M), Eric Moltane (U-M), Pat Corcoran (Colorado), Rick Czap (Nebraska), David Techlin (MSU), Dick Syring (U-M).
7. Royce Daugherty-6-3, 300-OG-C-Watervliet -- From a small southwest Michigan school, Daugherty is a big-time, Big Ten-level prospect. Will be a four-year starter for the Panthers. Also a talented defensive tackle recruit, Daugherty is a force to be reckoned with on either side of the football. I love this kid's potential not only because of his size, but because of his overall athletic coordination and skill. To stay in shape during the football season break, Daugherty ran cross country -- yes, cross country -- for Watervliet. He's a four-sport star for the Panthers also competing in basketball, baseball and wrestling. Big Ten, MAC coaches and recruiters? Put your shoes and socks on and go check this kid out.
8. Jayden Currie-6-4, 285-OT-New Lothrop -- Big, strong, thick lineman for unbeaten and Division 7 state-ranked New Lothrop. Saw action last season as a freshman on a Hornet team that lost to the eventual state champion by one point in the state quarterfinals. Raw, but talented, Currie's best football is yet to be played.
9. Andrew Priddy-6-4, 250-OT-Olivet -- Will be a four-year starter for Olivet, a school northeast of Battle Creek. Huge upside for Priddy, who moves well for a big kid and is physical at the point of attack.
10. (TIE) Delano Townsend-6-4, 265-Flint Hamady -- Will be a four-year starter for Hamady. Overwhelming force along the line of scrimmage, Townsend controls the trenches on both sides of the football. Messiah Blair-6-6, 255-OT-Detroit King -- Intriguing prospect from perennial powerhouse King program. With long arms and good athleticism, Blair, if he continues to improve, could top this list by the time he's a senior. I see him projecting out to 6-7, 295-310 range by the time he's in his final year of high school.
Other top offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2023 (all are D-I recruits at some level) -- Josh Kriekard-6-3, 255-OG-Cedar Springs, Brendan Dignan-6-5, 250-Warren DeLaSalle, Andrew Berryhill-6-1, 290-C-OG-Battle Creek Lakeview (will be four-year starter), Joey Pruchnic-6-4, 270-OT-Macomb Dakota, Aaron Bradley-6-5, 265-OT-Southfield A & T, Zac Affholter-6-2, 275-OG-C-Reading, Owen Hawley-6-5, 240-OT-Livonia Franklin, Hayden Healey-6-3, 305-OG-East Lansing, Edgerrin Cross-6-3, 255-OG-U-D Jesuit, Brandon Felts-6-4, 295-OT-Clinton, Nic Disanto-6-4, 280-OT-Riverview Gabriel Richard, Jacob Booth-6-4, 275-OT-Swartz Creek.
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