Michigan's Greatest Pro Football Players

Here is a short capsule of one of Michigan's 50 greatest pro football players. From time to time I'll highlight a former Michigander who grew up in this state and/or played high school football here before going on to star at the professional level. Players from high schools throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsulas have gone on to receive Hall of Fame enshrinement, earn All-Pro accolades and start in Super Bowls during their distinguished professional football careers.

Here is a small write up for George Andrie, one of the best Grand Rapids area football players, and one of the greatest defensive ends in Michigan gridiron history.

GEORGE ANDRIE

Despite playing only two years of college football before the program was terminated at Marquette University, Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s George Andrie turned out to be one of the most dominant defensive ends of his era.

Chosen in the sixth round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1962 NFL draft, Andrie would go on to become an original member of the Cowboys’ legendary “Doomsday Defense.” Playing alongside Hall of Fame defensive tackle Bob Lilly for the majority of his career, Andrie would help lead Dallas to two NFC championship seasons and one Super Bowl title.

Andrie (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) played for the Cowboys his entire 11-year career from 1962 through 1972. After earning All-Rookie status his first season, Andrie would become an anchor along the Dallas front line starting at defensive end for 10 straight years. A strong pass rusher, Andrie led the Cowboys in quarterback sacks for four consecutive seasons from 1964 through 1967. He posted double-digit sack totals each year during that time span. In 1966, Andrie recorded 18.5 sacks, which is third most in Dallas history.

Andrie played in five straight Pro Bowls from 1965 through 1969. He is one of only 22 Cowboy players to make at least five Pro Bowls in team history. In his final Pro Bowl, Andrie was named the game’s MVP as the top lineman. He was named first team All-Pro once and second team All-Pro three times throughout his distinguished NFL career.

One of Andrie’s most memorable plays occurred in the 1967 NFL championship game against the Green Bay Packers on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. In what has become known to history as the “Ice Bowl,” Andrie made headlines returning a fumble for a touchdown giving the Cowboys their first points of the game. A late touchdown by Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr gave the Packers a hard fought 21-17 victory in one of the NFL’s most unforgettable games. Green Bay would go on to defeat the Oakland Raiders 33-14 in Super Bowl II.

In 1971, Andrie played in Super Bowl V for Dallas. The Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts on a last-second field goal. The next year, however, the Cowboys returned to the NFL title contest defeating the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI.

With 97 career sacks, Andrie was one of the most feared pass rushers of his day. Because of his exploits on the field, he was named No. 31 on the Web site dallascowboys.com list of the top 50 Dallas players of all time.

In 1991, Andrie was inducted into the Marquette University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Class of 2014 Top 25 Football Prospects

Here's an early look at Michigan's loaded Class of 2014. The current sophomore class in Michigan ranks among the best in the nation. Year after year, Michigan produces some of the country's top high school football talent. The Class of 2014 is shaping up to be another deep and highly recruited group of players. The top five in this year's class are definitely among the best in the nation for their age group, if not the top player, at their individual positions.The football talent in this state, like the Energizer Bunny, seems to keep going and going, no matter the class year. From Muskegon, to northern Michigan, to Detroit and all points in between, the skill level of players in this state appears never-ending, which, I guess, is a good thing for Michigan's five Division I playing college football teams.

Here are the top 25 football prospects for Michigan's Class of 2014--

Top 25 Sophomores-
1. Chance Stewart-6-5, 215-QB-Sturgis-*already a legend in SW Michigan
2. Malik McDowell-6-6, 270-DE-OT-Detroit Loyola-*Detroit's next big-timer, no doubt
3. Jordan Van Dort-6-5, 285-DT-TE-Zeeland West-*looked like man among boys in D-4 state final
4. Drake Harris-6-4, 190-WR-Grand Rapids Christian-*two-sport All-State (basketball/football)
5. Lorenzo Collins-5-10, 195-RB-F.H. Harrison-*best Hawk RB since John Miller/Marcus Woods
6. William White-6-2, 225-LB-Detroit Cass Tech-*starter for D-1 state champions
7. Jalen Watts-Jackson-6-1, 170-DB-WR-O.L. St. Mary's-*two-way starter for state champs
8. Michael Tweh-5-10, 205-RB-Mt. Pleasant-*named All-State and led Oilers to D-3 state final
9. Byron Bullough-6-1, 180-DB-Traverse City St. Francis
10. Chris Hendricks-6-4, 280-OT-DT-Muskegon Mona Shores
11. Travis Smith-6-1, 185-QB-Ithaca-*led Yellowjackets to perfect season and D-6 state title
12. Colin Jones-6-4, 260-DE-TE-Holt
13. John Hall-6-0, 180-RB-DB-Muskegon Heights
14. Jake Khoury-6-4, 275-DT-Traverse City St. Francis
15. Nashon Burns-6-5, 305-OT-Detroit Cass Tech-*starter for D-1 state champions
16. Javid Love-6-1, 180-RB-Ann Arbor Huron
17. Derek Brown-6-5, 290-OT-Yale
18. Connor Hayes-6-5, 270-OT-Traverse City West
19. Damon Webb-5-11, 170-WR-Detroit Cass Tech
20. Tyler Jacqmain-6-2, 215-LB-Saginaw Nouvel-*starter at linebacker for D-7 state champs
21. Brian Walker-5-9, 210-RB-Birmingham Brother Rice
22. Zach Bock-6-0, 180-WR-Detroit Catholic Central-*starter at receiver for D-1 state runner-up
23. Spencer Viening-6-1, 205-RB-Zeeland East-*rushed for 1,223 yards and 16 TDs last year
24. Paris Basley-6-5, 320-OT-DT- Melvindale ABT
25. Nolen Bright-Mitchell-5-10, 165-RB-DB-KR-Albion-*state 100- and 200-meter champ as frosh

2013 Preseason All-State Teams

Here are my Class of 2013 preseason All-State first and second teams --

First Team-
WR-Brandon Moore-6-3, 195-Montague
TE-Pete Cender-6-4, 225-Howell
OT-Riley Norman-6-7, 315-Cadillac
OG-David Dawson-6-5, 305-Detroit Cass Tech
C-Adam Klage-6-2, 275-Mattawan
OG-Cameron Dillard-6-3, 285-Canton
OT-Steve Elmer-6-6, 305-Midland
WR-Corey Willis-5-10, 170-Holland
QB-Shane Morris-6-3, 190-Warren DeLaSalle
RB-Gerald Holmes-6-1, 205-Flint Carman-Ainsworth
RB-Amani Bass-6-0, 180-Jackson Lumen Christi

PK-P-Brett Scanlon-5-11, 205-Dowagiac

DE-Ronald Jenkins-6-4, 255-Muskegon Heights
DT-Kenton Gibbs-6-2, 285-Detroit Cass Tech
DT-Poet Thomas-6-6, 295-Detroit Country Day
DE-Wyatt Shallman-6-3, 255-Detroit Catholic Central
LB-Jon Reschke-6-3, 225-Birmingham Brother Rice
LB-Collin Schlosser-6-1, 215-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
LB-Luke Maclean-6-3, 235-Grand Blanc
CB-Desmond King-5-10, 180-Detroit Crockett
CB-Ryheem Stokes-5-10, 170-Grand Rapids Catholic Central
FS-Delano Hill-6-1, 185-Detroit Cass Tech
SS-K.C. Zenner-6-0, 195-Rockford

Second Team-
WR-Zeshawn Jones-Parker-6-3, 185-Lapeer West
TE-Khalid Hill-6-3, 235-Detroit Crockett
OT-Harris Vrabak-6-8, 315-Warren Mott
OG-David Curle-6-3, 270-Utica Eisenhower
C-Zack Murphy-6-3, 250-Muskegon Oakridge
OG-Cal Beck-6-4, 295-Paw Paw
OT-Vinnie Palazeti-6-4, 285-Flint Powers Catholic
WR-Brandon Bean-6-2, 180-Southfield
QB-Bart Williams-6-5, 195-Grand Blanc
RB-Demetrius Stinson-5-10, 195-Detroit Douglas
RB-Berkley Edwards-5-8, 180-Chelsea

PK-J.J. McGrath-6-2, 195-Macomb Lutheran North

DE-Adam Coon-6-5, 230-Fowlerville
DT-Jake Daugherty-6-3, 275-Big Rapids
DT-Jalen Dandridge-6-3, 285-Detroit Crockett
DE-Aaron Matthias-6-6, 235-Hemlock
LB-Payton White-6-1, 230-Constantine
LB-Connor Mohr-6-1, 220-Farmington
LB-Kyle Dinkins-6-2, 215-Ecorse
CB-Jourdan Lewis-5-9, 170-Detroit Cass Tech
CB-Houston Glass-6-1, 175-East Kentwood
FS-Garrett Cross-6-0, 195-Byron Center
SS-Austin Jones-6-0, 205-Bay City Central

P-Caden Kipp-6-1, 185-Alma

Next look for my Class of 2014 top 25 player rankings. Also look for another installment of my "Michigan's All-Time Greatest Pro Football Players" write-up.

2013 Top 25 Michigan football prospects

While Michigan's Class of 2012 was outstanding with multiple nationally ranked and Parade All-American players, the Class of 2013 appears to be even better. High school football in the state of Michigan is annually among the best in the country and the Class of 2013 ranks right up there with the top classes in Great Lakes State history.

College recruiters will be flooding our state with the hope of attracting and signing our top players from now until February of next year. It should be fun. Here are Michigan's top 25 junior prospects for the Class of 2013 --

Top 25 prospects-
1. Shane Morris-6-3, 190-QB-Warren DeLaSalle-Michigan verbal
2. Steve Elmer-6-6, 305-OT-Midland-Notre Dame verbal
3. Jon Reschke-6-3, 225-LB-Birmingham Brother Rice-Michigan State verbal
4. Riley Norman-6-7, 315-OT-Cadillac
5. Poet Thomas-6-6, 295-DT-Detroit Country Day
6. Cameron Dillard-6-3, 285-OG-Canton
7. Brandon Moore-6-3, 195-WR-Montague
8. Gerald Holmes-6-1, 205-RB-Flint Carman-Ainsworth-Michigan State verbal
9. Kenton Gibbs-6-2, 285-DT-Detroit Cass Tech
10. Wyatt Shallman-6-3, 255-DE-RB-Detroit Catholic Central-Michigan verbal
11. Luke Maclean-6-3, 235-LB-Grand Blanc
12. Corey Willis-5-10, 170-WR-DB-KR-Holland
13. Desmond King-5-10, 180-CB-Detroit Crockett
14. Ronald Jenkins-6-4, 255-DE-Muskegon Heights
15. Brett Scanlon-5-11, 205-PK-Dowagiac
16. Delano Hill-6-1, 185-S-Detroit Cass Tech
17. Collin Schlosser-6-1, 215-LB-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central
18. Ryheem Stokes-5-10, 170-CB-Grand Rapids Catholic Central
19. David Dawson-6-5, 305-OT-Detroit Cass Tech-Michigan verbal
20. David Curle-6-3, 270-OG-DT-Utica Eisenhower
21. Pete Cender-6-4, 225-TE-Howell
22. Khalid Hill-6-3, 235-TE-Detroit Crockett-Michigan verbal
23. Amani Bass-6-0, 180-RB-Jackson Lumen Christi
24. Bart Williams-6-5, 195-Grand Blanc
25. Adam Coon-6-5, 230-DE-TE-Fowlerville

Next look for my preseason first- and second-team All-State squads for the Class of 2013.

Grading the 2012 Division I in-state college football recruiting classes

Another national signing day has come and gone this season and as usual a significant number of Michigan kids put pen to paper making it official as to which school they will attend in the fall. The Great Lakes State had over 80 players sign national letters of intent with Division I programs this year.

Though having 80 or so individuals sign to play college football at the highest level is impressive, I believe the state of Michigan should have no less than 100 gridders every season commit to Division I schools. Michigan has more than enough talent inside our borders to fill rosters of multiple Division I programs, especially at our five D-I in-state colleges.

With that in mind, here are my grades for Michigan's five Division I playing football schools and their overall recruitment and ability to sign our state's top players. Grades are only regarding each school's focus on and ability to scout, recruit and, in the end, attract and sign the best players in Michigan. The grade is not indicative of the overall class, including in-state and out-state players.

Michigan State University -
Grade- C-

The Spartans did fairly well signing wide receiver Aaron Burbridge of Farmington Hills Harrison (my No. 2-ranked player overall in Michigan), along with fellow top 25 players linebacker Riley Bullough of Traverse City St. Francis, linebacker Jamal Lyles of Southfield Lathrup and offensive tackle Kodi Kieler of Gibraltar Carlson. Michigan State, however, missed out on signing running back/slot back/kick returner Dennis Norfleet of Detroit King, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Kelby Latta of Battle Creek Harper Creek (my No. 1 overall recruit in the state), tight end Ron Thompson of Southfield, defensive end Mario Ojemudia of Farmington Hills Harrison and defensive backs Eric Wilson of Redford Thurston and DeAndre Grady of East Grand Rapids. A preferred walk-on of note who committed to MSU is kicker Evan Fischer of Holt (my No. 1 kicker overall in Michigan).

University of Michigan -
Grade- B+

The Wolverines did a very solid job in attracting, identifying and signing an impressive group of players from Michigan. While in recent seasons, MSU has dominated the state, U-M seems to have refocused on making Michigan and its best players a priority. The Wolverines signed Detroit Cass Tech players linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone and defensive back Terry Richardson, along with Detroit Catholic Central defensive lineman Matt Godin, Orchard Lake St. Mary's linebacker James Ross, Farmington Hills Harrison defensive end Mario Ojemudia and tight end Devin Funches, Rockford offensive lineman Ben Braden, Ann Arbor Pioneer running back Drake Johnson and running back/slot back/kick returner Dennis Norfleet of Detroit King. Preferred walk-ons include Fenton punter Kenny Allen (my No. 1 punter in Michigan) and Birmingham Seaholm offensive lineman Dan Gibbs.

Western Michigan University-
Grade- F

The Broncos totally failed when it came to signing players from Michigan this season. Out of a class of 27 signees this year, only two hailed from Michigan. Flint Northwestern wide receiver Michael Henry and Okemos offensive lineman Taylor Moton were the lone Michiganders committing to WMU. With current NFL standouts and former Broncos Jason Babin (Paw Paw), Tony Scheffler (Chelsea) and Greg Jennings (Kalamazoo Central) all from Michigan high schools, one wonders why the WMU staff continues to turn its back on players from the Great Lakes State. When Ball State, Toledo and Buffalo are all signing more players from Michigan than the in-state Broncos, something's wrong.

Eastern Michigan University-
Grade- D+

Of all the Division I football playing schools in Michigan, the Eagles, being in close proximity to metropolitan Detroit and the Ann Arbor area, should have the most players from the state each and every year in their recruiting classes. Once again, however, the EMU staff has been unable or unwilling (or both) to sign kids from Michigan. Out of a class of 24, just five are from Michigan. There is no excuse for EMU not to identify, scout, evaluate, attract and sign at least 12 to 15 players from Michigan each season. Heck, there are 12 to 15 players in the Detroit Public School League or the Detroit Catholic League alone each year who would look good in Eagle green and white, let alone the entire metro Detroit/Ann Arbor area and the state of Michigan.

Central Michigan University-
Grade- A

The Chippewas did an outstanding job of recruiting and signing top-flight players from Michigan this year. Out of a class of 23 players, 17 are from Michigan. Recruiting classes should look similar to this for each Mid American Conference school in Michigan every year. Central Michigan Head Coach Dan Enos and staff did an outstanding job of scouring the state for talent. From Grand Rapids, to Lansing, to the Thumb and to Detroit and its suburbs, CMU was able to identify and attract talent from all over Michigan. The Chippewas signed Battle Creek Harper Creek offensive lineman/defensive lineman Kelby Latta -- my No. 1 overall player in the state. Central Michigan also signed players from Michigan traditional powerhouse and talent-rich programs Birmingham Brother Rice (offensive lineman Dylan Anderson), Detroit Cass Tech (defensive lineman Louis Palmer) and Detroit Renaissance (defensive lineman Jabari Dean).

With the Class of 2012 signed, sealed and delivered, I'll next turn my attention to the Class of 2013. Look for my Top 25 list of the state's best junior prospects in my next blog. The Class of 2013 is loaded with talent and appears to be one of the deepest in recent memory.