With three of the all-time top 30 in receptions in NFL history hailing from the state of Michigan (No. 13 Derrick Mason, MSU, Detroit Mumford; No. 16 Muhsin Muhammad, MSU, Lansing Waverly; No. 26 Andre Rison, MSU, Flint Northwestern), the Great Lakes State is routinely one of the country's best when it comes to cultivating and developing big-time Division I college football talent at the wide receiver position.
With players such as U-M recruit Brian Cole (6-2, 210, 4.3 40) of Saginaw Heritage, WMU signee Anton Curtis (6-3, 195, 4.5) of Detroit East English Village, CMU recruit Rayshawn Wilborn (6-4, 215, 4.5) out of Lansing Sexton and U-M recruit Grant Perry (6-0, 185, 4.4) of Birmingham Brother Rice leading last season's wide receiver group, the class of 2015 had some of Michigan's best receiver prospects in years. Add in CMU QB recruit (and All-State basketball player, Class D Player of the Year and a high D-I recruit in hoops) Brandon Childress (6-3, 195) out of Baldwin, a small northern Michigan high school, who I believe, if he isn't quarterbacking the Chippewas someday, could become an All-American-type level receiver at the next level, and the Great Lakes State was absolutely stacked at the wideout position last year.
For Michigan's class of 2016, the riches at the receiver position just keep pouring out. Incredibly, this season's group of receivers, from top to bottom and pound-for-pound, might be the state's best in years, if that's even conceivable, considering the depth of top-flight talent Michigan has produced at the position throughout recent seasons. That being said, here are the top 10 wide receivers for the class of 2016 in Michigan. I think it goes without saying each player is a high Division I college football talent.
Top 10 wide receivers for Michigan's class of 2016 --
1. Donnie Corley-6-2, 190-Detroit King-No. 6 overall player in Michigan, caught 62 passes for 1,100 yds. and 16 TDs last year. Also a talented CB, had 11 ints., seven ints. returned for TDs and 38 tackles. MSU, U-M, Notre Dame, OSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU a few of the schools who have offered.
2. Jalen Martin-6-3, 200-Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy-Top flight basketball recruit, unbelievable athlete, speed, size, leaping ability. MSU, U-M recruiting. WMU, EMU already offered.
3. Dez Fitzpatrick-6-3, 190-Waterford Mott-Silky smooth receiver. U-M, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Wake Forest all offered. Verbal to Louisville.
4. Kaleb Perry-6-2, 180-Mount Pleasant-Another D-I level basketball recruit, premier athlete, one of state's top high jumpers. Nightmare for defensive backs to cover -- can outrun, out jump and out-athlete most, if not all, DBs assigned to cover him. 36 rec., 900 yds, 9 TDs a year ago. Verbal to WMU. MSU, U-M also recruited.
5. Daryn Snow-6-3, 190-Portage Northern-One of my top sleepers in Michigan. In a recurring theme, Snow is a talented hoops player (school's leading scorer as soph.). Last season caught 48 passes for 617 yards and 8 TDs. With great size, another match-up problem for opposing DBs. Flying a bit under the radar at the moment, but a legit D-I Big Ten-level wide receiver prospect. Where are Indiana, Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, etc. on this guy?
6. Bailey Edwards-6-2, 185-Chelsea-Ann Arbor All-Area last season, 25 rec., 629 yds., 9 TDs, 4.4 40, little brother of WR Braylon (Harper Wood Bishop Gallagher, U-M, NFL) and RB Berkley (Chelsea, Minnesota). Father Stan played at Detroit Kettering, U-M and the NFL as RB. Minnesota offer. Wisconsin, Purdue also recruiting.
7. Trishton Jackson-6-3, 185-West Bloomfield-Detroit News All-Metro pick as a basketball player this past season. D-I prospect in hoops (varsity starter as frosh). Explosive athlete. Has started at QB since freshman year for West Bloomfield. Threw for over 2,000 yds. and rushed for over 1,000 yds. last season. Could play either QB or WR at next level. One of those freak athletes that can do it all. Verbal to MSU.
8. Simeon Kemp-6-0, 175-Flint Hamady-Flint Journal Dream Team, 35 rec., 1,080 yds., 14 TDs, 2 KO return TDs, 4.4 40. Another player not getting as much publicity statewide or nationally as he deserves. Electric performer on the football field. Small school, big-time talent.
9. Gabe Steed-6-1, 175-Lowell-Maybe most exciting player for the state power Red Arrows since "Mr. Football" Mark Catlin in the early 2000s. Caught 34 passes for 818 yards and 10 TDs a year ago.
10. (tie) Mike Robb-6-6, 200-Midland Dow-Saginaw News Dream Teamer, 47 rec., 606 yds., 9 TDs; Zach Kohn-6-3, 180-Gibraltar Carlson-Detroit Free Press first team All-West, 42 rec., 575 yds., 8 TDs.
Other top wide receivers for Michigan's class of 2016 -- Lindrell Mitchell-5-9, 170-Detroit East English Village (Detroit News All-Metro Detroit), Kobe Burse-6-2, 190-Muskegon Mona Shores (Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team, two-way starter for D-2 state runner-up, verbal to Miami (OH)), Rodney Graves-6-2, 180-Detroit Cody (Big Ten-type talent, runs 4.4 40 and 22.2 200 meters, also shutdown-type cornerback on defense, Purdue, Indiana, Maryland, etc. where are you on this guy?), Tony Palmer-6-0, 180-Lansing Catholic Central (Lansing State Journal Dream Team, starter for D-5 state runner-up), Adam Farah-6-2, 185-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern (Verbal to Air Force), Connor Nemmers-6-2, 190-Grand Rapids West Catholic (41 rec., 748 yds., 9 TDs for D-5 state champions, Grand Rapids All-North), Marcel Paul-6-1, 175-Detroit Cass Tech (4.4 40, verbal to Cincinnati), Chris Cartier-6-2, 175-Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (Detroit News Div. 7-8 All-State), Cooper Cecchini-6-1, 175-Hudsonville (30 rec., 492 yds., 5 TDs, Grand Rapids All-West), Matt Sexton-5-11, 170-Clinton (Verbal to EMU), Dylan Otolski-6-1, 180-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (38 rec., 729 yds., 7 TDs, Grand Rapids All-East), Gourney Sloan-6-0, 180-East Grand Rapids, Luke DeLong-6-3, 185-Midland, Cortez Chisolm-6-0, 170-Detroit Osborn, Jeb Palka-5-11, 170-Saline (77 rec., 980 yds., 9 TDs for D-1 state runner-up), Jacob Lefevre-6-2, 200-Jackson County Parma Western (Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team, AP Div. 3-4 All-State, 42, rec., 808 yds., 12 TDs), Myles Charley-6-0, 170-Warren DeLaSalle (starter for defending D-2 state champions), Tamarion Johnson-6-4, 195-Southfield Bradford Academy (Verbal to Miami (OH)), Wyatt Plate-5-10, 170-Jackson Lumen Christi (4.3 40, verbal to Ball State), Tyrone Lyte-5-11, 175-Southfield, Chad Gailliard-6-4, 190-Dearborn Edsel Ford, Alex Bock-6-0, 195-Detroit Catholic Central (also top DB prospect, three-year starter at national powerhouse program), James Cooper III-6-3, 185-Muskegon Oakridge, Spence DeMull-6-3, 180-Ithaca (Lansing State Journal Dream Team, 66 rec., 1,193 yds., 16 TDs for D-6 state runner-up).
Friday, April 24, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Michigan's top 10 defensive linemen for 2016 class
For anyone who checks out this blog, one would know I consider the big fellas in the trenches on both sides of the line of scrimmage as the most important players on the football field. Yesterday, I listed the top offensive linemen in the state for the class of 2016, so today I'll list my top 10 defensive linemen in Michigan for '16.
As usual, defensive line talent in Michigan is off-the-charts good. If a college coach is looking for pass rush help, the Great Lakes State is a must stop this upcoming season. Michigan is loaded with long, lanky, quick defensive ends with pass rush abilities this year. What's intriguing, however, about this season's class of D-line prospects, is the potential of most of the DE prospects to add substantial weight to their frames and bulk up and be combo-type linemen who can switch from outside to inside and vice-versa at the next level. Add to those prospects, an impressive group of pure defensive tackles and space-eaters up front, and a college coach has all he would need to form a dominating D-line right here in the Great Lakes State.
Top 10 defensive linemen for Michigan's class of 2016 --
1. Lawrence Gordon-6-6, 255-DE-Saginaw Arthur Hill-Unlimited potential. State's next Robaire Smith (Flint Northern, MSU, 11-year NFL career)?
2. Michael Onwenu-6-2, 315-DT-Detroit Cass Tech-Alabama, Ohio State, Miami (Fla.) all offered. Verbal to U-M.
3. Khalid Kareem-6-4, 250-DE-DT-Farmington Hills Harrison-Ohio State, MSU, U-M, Northwestern, Notre Dame all offered. Had 18 sacks last season. Verbal to Alabama.
4. Mark Brooks-6-7, 250-DE-Portland-Huge upside. I see him possibly being a Tyler Hoover (Novi, 6-7, 295 former starting DT for MSU, Rose Bowl champ, currently with NFL's Indianapolis Colts)-type player at the next level eventually. Verbal to WMU.
5. Adetokunbo Ogundeji-6-5, 225-DE-Walled Lake Central-Size, speed, length make Ogundeji a top tier D-I prospect. Oregon, Cal offered. Verbal to Notre Dame.
6. Patrick Mayrand-6-4, 280-DT-Dexter- Big Ten size, with athletic ability. One of the Ann Arbor area's top college prospects.
7. Darrick Gibson-6-2, 305-DT-Chippewa Valley (transfer from Clintondale)- One of the best pure defensive tackle/nose guards in the state. Suburban Detroit potential star at next level. 4.9 40. Best D-line prospect from Clintondale since 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers sixth round draft pick L.T. Walton (6-5, 320, DT, CMU).
8. Gabe Bauman-6-3, 245-DE-Rockford-Grand Rapids area stud from top flight program.
9. Chauncey Golston-6-6, 240-DE-Detroit East English Village-Similar to Arthur Hill's Gordon with huge wingspan and crazy athleticism. Runs 4.7 40. Verbal to Iowa.
10. Dan Perry-6-2, 265-DT-Lapeer-Big time talent. Division 1 (Michigan's large school division) heavyweight state champion wrestler this past winter. Three-year starter on D-line. I project him to 6-2, 295-305 range at next level, with great balance, feet, hands.
--Other top defensive line prospects (all D-I at some level) for Michigan's class of 2016 - Austin Simpson-6-2, 295-DT-Livonia Churchill (4.9 40), Brayton Rzepka-6-5, 270-DT-Coldwater (also top baseball prospect as P-1B), Matthew Lloyd-6-3, 285-DT-NG-Grand Ledge (also one of Michigan's best wrestlers, finished fourth in state as heavyweight last season), Malcolm Strickland-6-4, 250-DE-DT-Belleville, Ronathan Elmore-6-4, 230-DE-Belleville (teams with Malcolm Strickland to form dynamic duo for Tigers), Colin Emmendorfer-6-4, 240-DE-Flushing, Zach VanValkenburg-6-4, 235-DE-Zeeland West (three-year starter, started as soph. on D-3 state title team), Jonathan Brys-6-6, 245-DE-Jackson Lumen Christi (EMU offer, also talented TE), Eyioma Uwozunke-6-5, 255-DE-Southfield Lathrup (from same school as EMU, Detroit Lions starting DE Jason Jones), Dylan Pasquali-6-4, 285-DT-Trenton, Kamar Graves-6-4, 240-DE-Detroit Douglass (also talented TE, Illinois offer), Christian Boyd-6-2, 270-DT-Muskegon Mona Shores (returning starter for D-2 state runner-up), Tyler Shreve-6-4, 255-DE-Walled Lake Western, Carl Myers-6-3, 245-DE-Grand Rapids West Catholic (returning two-way starter for D-5 state champions), Tim Stevens-6-2, 265-DT-Temperance Bedford, Ian McInnis-6-2, 280-DT-Munising (U.P. Dream Team, monster in trenches, returning starter for D-8 state runner-up), Brian Mack-6-3, 225-DE-Grosse Pointe South (All-Detroit Metro East), Brendon Bott-6-4, 255-DT-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (All-Grand Rapids North), Kyle Soderberg-6-2, 235-DE-Crystal Falls Forest Park (U.P. Dream Team selection), Blake Roe-6-2, 290-DT-Haslett, Alvin Clemons-6-1, 265-DT-Detroit Cass Tech, Jaylen Browder-6-5, 265-DT-Saginaw Arthur Hill, Britt Swaenepoel-6-2, 280-DT-Napoleon (Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team), Nathan Fox-6-3, 240-DT-Johannesburg-Lewiston (dominant D-lineman "Up North," plus a talented kicker), Jean Paul Nkolo-6-3, 220-DE-East Kentwood, Michael Tabor-6-4, 285-DT-Holland, Jake Tumele-6-3, 230-DE-Muskegon Orchard View (runs 4.8 40), Dylan Swanson-6-4, 270-DT-Detroit King, Andy Maschke-6-2, 275-DT-Hartland, Leon Page-6-3, 220-DE-Detroit King (Verbal to CMU), Eldrick Matthews-6-4, 280-DE-Detroit Cass Tech, Blake Brady-6-2, 220-DE-Macomb Dakota, Wallace Hall-6-4, 250-DT-Ypsilanti, Matt Jelinek-6-4, 230-DE-Suttons Bay (4.7 40, returned fumble 33 yards for TD last year, another "Up North" lineman who will cause havoc all season long), Kevin Koenig-6-4, 235-DE-Laingsburg (one of my top sleepers in Michigan, Division 4 state runner-up wrestler at 215, also plays QB for Laingsburg, great all-around athlete from small school near Lansing).
As usual, defensive line talent in Michigan is off-the-charts good. If a college coach is looking for pass rush help, the Great Lakes State is a must stop this upcoming season. Michigan is loaded with long, lanky, quick defensive ends with pass rush abilities this year. What's intriguing, however, about this season's class of D-line prospects, is the potential of most of the DE prospects to add substantial weight to their frames and bulk up and be combo-type linemen who can switch from outside to inside and vice-versa at the next level. Add to those prospects, an impressive group of pure defensive tackles and space-eaters up front, and a college coach has all he would need to form a dominating D-line right here in the Great Lakes State.
Top 10 defensive linemen for Michigan's class of 2016 --
1. Lawrence Gordon-6-6, 255-DE-Saginaw Arthur Hill-Unlimited potential. State's next Robaire Smith (Flint Northern, MSU, 11-year NFL career)?
2. Michael Onwenu-6-2, 315-DT-Detroit Cass Tech-Alabama, Ohio State, Miami (Fla.) all offered. Verbal to U-M.
3. Khalid Kareem-6-4, 250-DE-DT-Farmington Hills Harrison-Ohio State, MSU, U-M, Northwestern, Notre Dame all offered. Had 18 sacks last season. Verbal to Alabama.
4. Mark Brooks-6-7, 250-DE-Portland-Huge upside. I see him possibly being a Tyler Hoover (Novi, 6-7, 295 former starting DT for MSU, Rose Bowl champ, currently with NFL's Indianapolis Colts)-type player at the next level eventually. Verbal to WMU.
5. Adetokunbo Ogundeji-6-5, 225-DE-Walled Lake Central-Size, speed, length make Ogundeji a top tier D-I prospect. Oregon, Cal offered. Verbal to Notre Dame.
6. Patrick Mayrand-6-4, 280-DT-Dexter- Big Ten size, with athletic ability. One of the Ann Arbor area's top college prospects.
7. Darrick Gibson-6-2, 305-DT-Chippewa Valley (transfer from Clintondale)- One of the best pure defensive tackle/nose guards in the state. Suburban Detroit potential star at next level. 4.9 40. Best D-line prospect from Clintondale since 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers sixth round draft pick L.T. Walton (6-5, 320, DT, CMU).
8. Gabe Bauman-6-3, 245-DE-Rockford-Grand Rapids area stud from top flight program.
9. Chauncey Golston-6-6, 240-DE-Detroit East English Village-Similar to Arthur Hill's Gordon with huge wingspan and crazy athleticism. Runs 4.7 40. Verbal to Iowa.
10. Dan Perry-6-2, 265-DT-Lapeer-Big time talent. Division 1 (Michigan's large school division) heavyweight state champion wrestler this past winter. Three-year starter on D-line. I project him to 6-2, 295-305 range at next level, with great balance, feet, hands.
--Other top defensive line prospects (all D-I at some level) for Michigan's class of 2016 - Austin Simpson-6-2, 295-DT-Livonia Churchill (4.9 40), Brayton Rzepka-6-5, 270-DT-Coldwater (also top baseball prospect as P-1B), Matthew Lloyd-6-3, 285-DT-NG-Grand Ledge (also one of Michigan's best wrestlers, finished fourth in state as heavyweight last season), Malcolm Strickland-6-4, 250-DE-DT-Belleville, Ronathan Elmore-6-4, 230-DE-Belleville (teams with Malcolm Strickland to form dynamic duo for Tigers), Colin Emmendorfer-6-4, 240-DE-Flushing, Zach VanValkenburg-6-4, 235-DE-Zeeland West (three-year starter, started as soph. on D-3 state title team), Jonathan Brys-6-6, 245-DE-Jackson Lumen Christi (EMU offer, also talented TE), Eyioma Uwozunke-6-5, 255-DE-Southfield Lathrup (from same school as EMU, Detroit Lions starting DE Jason Jones), Dylan Pasquali-6-4, 285-DT-Trenton, Kamar Graves-6-4, 240-DE-Detroit Douglass (also talented TE, Illinois offer), Christian Boyd-6-2, 270-DT-Muskegon Mona Shores (returning starter for D-2 state runner-up), Tyler Shreve-6-4, 255-DE-Walled Lake Western, Carl Myers-6-3, 245-DE-Grand Rapids West Catholic (returning two-way starter for D-5 state champions), Tim Stevens-6-2, 265-DT-Temperance Bedford, Ian McInnis-6-2, 280-DT-Munising (U.P. Dream Team, monster in trenches, returning starter for D-8 state runner-up), Brian Mack-6-3, 225-DE-Grosse Pointe South (All-Detroit Metro East), Brendon Bott-6-4, 255-DT-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills (All-Grand Rapids North), Kyle Soderberg-6-2, 235-DE-Crystal Falls Forest Park (U.P. Dream Team selection), Blake Roe-6-2, 290-DT-Haslett, Alvin Clemons-6-1, 265-DT-Detroit Cass Tech, Jaylen Browder-6-5, 265-DT-Saginaw Arthur Hill, Britt Swaenepoel-6-2, 280-DT-Napoleon (Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team), Nathan Fox-6-3, 240-DT-Johannesburg-Lewiston (dominant D-lineman "Up North," plus a talented kicker), Jean Paul Nkolo-6-3, 220-DE-East Kentwood, Michael Tabor-6-4, 285-DT-Holland, Jake Tumele-6-3, 230-DE-Muskegon Orchard View (runs 4.8 40), Dylan Swanson-6-4, 270-DT-Detroit King, Andy Maschke-6-2, 275-DT-Hartland, Leon Page-6-3, 220-DE-Detroit King (Verbal to CMU), Eldrick Matthews-6-4, 280-DE-Detroit Cass Tech, Blake Brady-6-2, 220-DE-Macomb Dakota, Wallace Hall-6-4, 250-DT-Ypsilanti, Matt Jelinek-6-4, 230-DE-Suttons Bay (4.7 40, returned fumble 33 yards for TD last year, another "Up North" lineman who will cause havoc all season long), Kevin Koenig-6-4, 235-DE-Laingsburg (one of my top sleepers in Michigan, Division 4 state runner-up wrestler at 215, also plays QB for Laingsburg, great all-around athlete from small school near Lansing).
Top 10 offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2016
Only four times in the history of the NFL draft has an offensive lineman been selected as the No. 1 overall pick. Two of those four players are native Michiganders. In 2008, Lapeer East's Jake Long (Michigan) was chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, while Rochester Stoney Creek's Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) was selected No. 1 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. The other two O-linemen picked No. 1 overall in the draft were USC's Ron Yary (California) in 1968 by the Minnesota Vikings and Ohio State's Orlando Pace (Ohio) in 1997 by the St. Louis Rams.
My point is, if history is any indication, the state of Michigan is one of the top states in the country when it comes to churning out top quality offensive linemen. The class of 2016 is no different -- it's chock full of high level Division I college football talent. Is there another future NFL No. 1 overall draft pick in the following group? I guess only time will tell -- though out of any state in the Union (if history is used as a measurement), Michigan appears to be the place to look/recruit for the next future NFL No. 1-er at the offensive line position.
Here are the top 10 offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2016 --
1. Michael Jordan-6-6, 280-OT-Plymouth-Notre Dame, MSU, U-M all offered. Verbal to Ohio State.
2. Thiyo Lukusa-6-5, 300-OT-Traverse City West (decided to transfer to high school in New Jersey for senior season)-Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska, OSU, U-M all offered. Verbal to MSU.
3. Juanye Johnson-6-4, 285-OT-Muskegon-MSU, U-M recruiting. Powerful drive blocker for state powerhouse program.
4. Tom Kowalkoski-6-4, 280-OG-C-Detroit Catholic Central-Purdue, Iowa, Northwestern all heavily recruited. Verbal to Boston College.
5. Jake Cerny-6-5, 285-OT-Traverse City West-Excellent feet, technique for a big man. Verbal to Illinois.
6. Alaric Jackson-6-7, 285-OT-Detroit Renaissance-Nebraska, Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas, MSU offers. Has played only one year of organized football. Hoops standout.
7. Ostell Martin-6-6, 300-OT-OG-Detroit Cass Tech-Syracuse, U-M, Alabama have shown interest.
8. Muad Motan-6-4, 315-OT-OG-Ann Arbor Pioneer-Top O-lineman in Ann Arbor area. All-Area performer a year ago. Somewhat of a sleeper. Rugged run blocker.
9. Trenton Fincher-6-7, 315-OT-East Kentwood-Big Ten size, pedigree. Father played at Michigan State.
10. Mike VanHoeven-6-5, 305-OT-Paw Paw-Next great from small southwest Michigan school. Current MSU All-Big Ten OT Jack Conklin played a few miles over in Plainwell. From same school as NFL All-Pro DE Jason Babin (WMU, New York Jets currently). Verbal to EMU.
-- Other top offensive linemen for Michigan's class of 2016- (all are D-I prospects - high, mid, low)- Alex Angeles-6-2, 315-OG-Northville (three-year starter, benches school record 350 pounds), Tommy Roush-6-4, 270-OT-Traverse City West, Colin Shock-6-2, 275-C-Macomb Dakota (will be three-year starter for state power), Jordan Asbury-6-4, 265-OT-Warren DeLaSalle (starter for D-2 state champions, verbal to WMU), Carmen Kolwich-6-4, 280-OT-Orchard Lake St. Mary's (starter for D-3 state champions, verbal to Northwestern), Brendan Thompson-6-5, 260-OT-Lake Orion, Kyle Augustine-6-3, 315-OG-Gaylord, Mike Birkenhauer-6-4, 260-OG-Birmingham Brother Rice, Jaylin Jones-6-4, 265-OT-Ypsilanti Lincoln, Nick Edney-6-2, 280-C-OG-Garden City (school's best D-I prospect since U-M two-time captain OG Kirk Lewis in 1970s), Sam Hartwig-6-5, 280-OT-Menominee (will be three-year starter at U.P. power), Zak Hill-6-4, 315-OT-Roseville, Mike Bordeaux-6-3, 265-OG-Muskegon Mona Shores (two-way starter for D-2 state runner-up Sailors), Karson Murley-6-2, 265-OG-Lowell, Jaleel Jones-6-3, 290-OG-Lansing Everett, Marshaun Blake-6-2, 240-OT-Lansing Sexton (returning starter for D-4 state runner-up), Cobe Bryant-6-5, 315-OT-Rochester, Jack Hensley-6-4, 325-OT-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, Jacob Lechner-6-3, 255-OG-C-Harbor Springs, Jacob Donnellon-6-5, 265-OT-Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (Verbal to EMU), Mason Penix-6-6, 305-OT-Charlotte, Liam Lamke-6-5, 245-OT-Lansing Catholic Central (starter for D-5 state runner-up Cougars), James Haverkamp-6-7, 265-OT-Grand Rapids Christian, Jake Boonstra-6-3, 285-OG-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Darren Johnson-6-4, 290-OT-Dearborn Heights Robichaud, Cody Witzgall-6-3, 270-OG-Bay City Western, Keegan Golder-6-5, 270-OT-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern, Isaac Weir-6-4, 270-OT-Stevensville-Lakeshore, J.R. Sheriff-6-2, 290-C-Bridgman, Andrew McLeod-6-3, 265-C-OT-Farmington, Matt Blair-6-1, 240-C-North Farmington (three-year starter for Raiders), Dan Collins-6-3, 280-OG-Howell, Colton Overway-6-3, 265-C-Zeeland West, Jacob Jenkins-6-3, 305-OG-Redford Thurston, Jack Steinhauer-6-3, 270-OG-Grosse Pointe South, Mike Kibzey-6-4, 265-OT-Madison Heights Madison, Adam Audette-6-2, 250-C-Climax-Scotts.
My point is, if history is any indication, the state of Michigan is one of the top states in the country when it comes to churning out top quality offensive linemen. The class of 2016 is no different -- it's chock full of high level Division I college football talent. Is there another future NFL No. 1 overall draft pick in the following group? I guess only time will tell -- though out of any state in the Union (if history is used as a measurement), Michigan appears to be the place to look/recruit for the next future NFL No. 1-er at the offensive line position.
Here are the top 10 offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2016 --
1. Michael Jordan-6-6, 280-OT-Plymouth-Notre Dame, MSU, U-M all offered. Verbal to Ohio State.
2. Thiyo Lukusa-6-5, 300-OT-Traverse City West (decided to transfer to high school in New Jersey for senior season)-Wisconsin, Georgia, Tennessee, Nebraska, OSU, U-M all offered. Verbal to MSU.
3. Juanye Johnson-6-4, 285-OT-Muskegon-MSU, U-M recruiting. Powerful drive blocker for state powerhouse program.
4. Tom Kowalkoski-6-4, 280-OG-C-Detroit Catholic Central-Purdue, Iowa, Northwestern all heavily recruited. Verbal to Boston College.
5. Jake Cerny-6-5, 285-OT-Traverse City West-Excellent feet, technique for a big man. Verbal to Illinois.
6. Alaric Jackson-6-7, 285-OT-Detroit Renaissance-Nebraska, Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas, MSU offers. Has played only one year of organized football. Hoops standout.
7. Ostell Martin-6-6, 300-OT-OG-Detroit Cass Tech-Syracuse, U-M, Alabama have shown interest.
8. Muad Motan-6-4, 315-OT-OG-Ann Arbor Pioneer-Top O-lineman in Ann Arbor area. All-Area performer a year ago. Somewhat of a sleeper. Rugged run blocker.
9. Trenton Fincher-6-7, 315-OT-East Kentwood-Big Ten size, pedigree. Father played at Michigan State.
10. Mike VanHoeven-6-5, 305-OT-Paw Paw-Next great from small southwest Michigan school. Current MSU All-Big Ten OT Jack Conklin played a few miles over in Plainwell. From same school as NFL All-Pro DE Jason Babin (WMU, New York Jets currently). Verbal to EMU.
-- Other top offensive linemen for Michigan's class of 2016- (all are D-I prospects - high, mid, low)- Alex Angeles-6-2, 315-OG-Northville (three-year starter, benches school record 350 pounds), Tommy Roush-6-4, 270-OT-Traverse City West, Colin Shock-6-2, 275-C-Macomb Dakota (will be three-year starter for state power), Jordan Asbury-6-4, 265-OT-Warren DeLaSalle (starter for D-2 state champions, verbal to WMU), Carmen Kolwich-6-4, 280-OT-Orchard Lake St. Mary's (starter for D-3 state champions, verbal to Northwestern), Brendan Thompson-6-5, 260-OT-Lake Orion, Kyle Augustine-6-3, 315-OG-Gaylord, Mike Birkenhauer-6-4, 260-OG-Birmingham Brother Rice, Jaylin Jones-6-4, 265-OT-Ypsilanti Lincoln, Nick Edney-6-2, 280-C-OG-Garden City (school's best D-I prospect since U-M two-time captain OG Kirk Lewis in 1970s), Sam Hartwig-6-5, 280-OT-Menominee (will be three-year starter at U.P. power), Zak Hill-6-4, 315-OT-Roseville, Mike Bordeaux-6-3, 265-OG-Muskegon Mona Shores (two-way starter for D-2 state runner-up Sailors), Karson Murley-6-2, 265-OG-Lowell, Jaleel Jones-6-3, 290-OG-Lansing Everett, Marshaun Blake-6-2, 240-OT-Lansing Sexton (returning starter for D-4 state runner-up), Cobe Bryant-6-5, 315-OT-Rochester, Jack Hensley-6-4, 325-OT-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, Jacob Lechner-6-3, 255-OG-C-Harbor Springs, Jacob Donnellon-6-5, 265-OT-Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (Verbal to EMU), Mason Penix-6-6, 305-OT-Charlotte, Liam Lamke-6-5, 245-OT-Lansing Catholic Central (starter for D-5 state runner-up Cougars), James Haverkamp-6-7, 265-OT-Grand Rapids Christian, Jake Boonstra-6-3, 285-OG-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Darren Johnson-6-4, 290-OT-Dearborn Heights Robichaud, Cody Witzgall-6-3, 270-OG-Bay City Western, Keegan Golder-6-5, 270-OT-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern, Isaac Weir-6-4, 270-OT-Stevensville-Lakeshore, J.R. Sheriff-6-2, 290-C-Bridgman, Andrew McLeod-6-3, 265-C-OT-Farmington, Matt Blair-6-1, 240-C-North Farmington (three-year starter for Raiders), Dan Collins-6-3, 280-OG-Howell, Colton Overway-6-3, 265-C-Zeeland West, Jacob Jenkins-6-3, 305-OG-Redford Thurston, Jack Steinhauer-6-3, 270-OG-Grosse Pointe South, Mike Kibzey-6-4, 265-OT-Madison Heights Madison, Adam Audette-6-2, 250-C-Climax-Scotts.
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