Here are a few of the state of Michigan's 30 best D-I sleeper prospects for the class of 2019 --
DE-TE-OT- Evan Orme-6-6, 245-Riverview Gabriel Richard -- This kid has so much potential it's amazing. First off, he's from one of the greatest football towns in Michigan. I consider Riverview to be the state of Michigan's "Cradle of Coaches" (look for an upcoming blog about this story, it's worthy of its own book actually, in my opinion). For a relatively small Downriver Detroit community (southern suburbs), Riverview has produced three of Michigan's most prominent coaches. Bill McCartney (College Football Hall of Fame, won national title at Colorado in 1990 as head coach), Woody Widenhofer (helped Pittsburgh Steelers win four Super Bowls as LB coach and defensive coordinator and was a major architect of the legendary "Steel Curtain" defense, along with being head coach at Missouri and Vanderbilt) and Lloyd Carr (College Football Hall of Fame, longtime Michigan head coach, won national title in 1997) all grew up together in Riverview in the late 1950s-early 1960s and all later played college football at Missouri (with Carr transferring to Northern Michigan University his senior season). Anyhow, as I said earlier, this subject is worthy of its own blog. But back to Riverview's latest high-level D-I prospect, Evan Orme. Orme is a dominating presence on both sides of the line scrimmage for Gabriel Richard. Reportedly running a 4.7 40-yard dash, Orme is also a standout basketball player for the Pioneers. I believe Orme could play DE, TE or OT at the next level. I think with his basketball skills, footwork and athleticism, he might project best to a 6-6, 310 OT protecting a quarterback's blindside. Either way, Orme is a definite sleeper in the state of Michigan, but a D-I prospect for sure.
LB-TE-Boone Bonnema-6-3, 215-Zeeland East (just southwest of Grand Rapids) -- With outstanding quickness and agility for a player his size, Bonnema projects to either side of the football at the next level. I like him as a potential 6-3, 230 OLB, rushing the quarterback or having the ability to play in space defending the pass. A tough match-up as a TE-HB, Bonnema (CMU and WMU offers) also has top-level offensive skills as a receiver, using his speed and athletic ability to make plays. On the same team as DE-OT D-I recruit Adam Berghorst (6-7, 260, Michigan State, Indiana, Minnesota offers), I think Bonnema, who was selected the Holland Sentinel Defensive Player of the Year this past season after recording 103 tackles, including 16 TFL and blocking two punts, is Big Ten-level, as well. In the photos below, Bonnema makes a hard-hitting tackle in the annual game against crosstown rival Zeeland West, while he's also shown standing out front and leading his team during the playing of the National Anthem.
LB-RB- Konner Near-6-1, 205-St. Johns -- A punishing hitter/runner on both sides of the line of scrimmage, St. Johns' Near is one of the most physical players in the state of Michigan. With speed and power, Near, who was named to the Lansing State Journal Dream Team and earned AP Division 3-4 All-State honors this past year, is equally effective as a RB or LB. This past season, Near rushed for 1,377 yards and 21 touchdowns, with a single-game high of 354 yards against Cadillac. While he can take over a contest as a RB, I like Near's potential as a LB at the D-I level. I see him growing to 6-1, 225-235 range and having the quickness and nimbleness of a RB, but the horse-power and physical nature to chase down ball carriers and rush quarterbacks all game long. Near, though a bit unknown and under-recruited at the moment, will be one of the top players and D-I-level prospects next year in the Lansing area. In the photo below, Near is shown doing what he did all of last season, running through tackles and needing multiple defenders to bring him down.
WR-DB-KR-Terryon Liddell-5-11, 170-Saginaw Swan Valley -- One of the most exciting players for the class of 2019, Liddell is a difference-maker in all three phases of the game as a WR, DB or KR. Last season, Liddell helped lead Saginaw Swan Valley to a 12-2 overall record and a Division 5 state runner-up finish. Liddell, who runs a 4.5 40, ended last year with 21 receptions for 498 yards and five touchdowns, while defensively he picked off four passes from his cornerback position. Also an electrifying kick/punt returner, Liddell earned AP Division 5-6 All-State recognition last season. Despite being from a mid-sized school, Liddell, in my opinion, has high-level D-I college football potential. In the photo below, by Mike Clark, Liddell runs for big yardage after stiff-arming a Reed City defender in last year's D-5 state semifinal.
-- Up next, I'll continue listing and talking about Michigan's 30 best D-I college football "sleeper" prospects/recruits for the class of 2019.
