Top 10 Offensive Line Prospects for Michigan's Class of 2020

There truly is no better state in the Midwest for offensive line recruiting than Michigan. Year in and year out, the Great Lakes State churns out high-level, big-time Division I O-line talent. The class of 2020 is no exception, with nationally ranked players and Big Ten-level blockers throughout the state of Michigan. This list is fluid and players will be added as the months go by and we near the kickoff of the 2019 high school football season. That being said, here are the Great Lakes State's top 10 offensive line recruits/prospects for the class of 2020 --

Michigan's Top 10 Offensive Linemen for the Class of 2020 -- 

1. Justin Rogers--6-4, 305-OT-OG-C-Oak Park -- For the class of 2019, the state of Michigan had two offensive linemen (Devontae Dobbs-6-4, 295-Belleville-verbal to MSU and Logan Brown-6-7, 310-East Kentwood-verbal to Wisconsin) ranked in the nation's top five. For the Great Lakes State's class of 2020, Rogers is also widely regarded as a top five offensive line prospect nationally. Just goes to show what an incredible state Michigan is when it comes to developing and churning out big-time Division I-level offensive line recruits every year. Rogers, in my opinion, could play any line position at the next level and excel. Aggressive, powerful and skilled technique-wise and footwork-wise, Rogers is the total package. He's also a top recruit on the defensive side of the football as a D-tackle. Has offers from basically every college program in the country including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, Auburn, Texas, USC, Penn State, LSU, Oklahoma, Florida and Florida State.
2. Keegan Smith-6-4, 285-OT-OG-C-Jackson Lumen Christi -- While Rogers grabs all the highlights and publicity nationally and within the state of Michigan (as he should), my personal favorite O-lineman in the Great Lakes State is Smith. A starter as a sophomore on the Titans' Division 6 state championship squad last season, Smith is arguably the best run-blocker in the Midwest. Lumen Christi is a power-running team and Smith is a pancake-block highlight reel. Physical, intense, relentless and highly-skilled as a blocker, Smith, like Rogers, in my opinion, could play any position along the offensive line at the next level. Comes from one of the top mid-sized football programs in the nation, Smith is a Big Ten-level guy, who right now is under-recruited, which puzzles me to no end. Only offer so far is Bowling Green State. C'mon, Big Ten, are you kidding me?
3. Tate Mackenzie-6-7, 305-OT-Ypsilanti Lincoln -- I've been high on this guy since his sophomore season. Though NFL-size now, Mackenzie is an incredible athlete with basketball feet and run-blocking skills uncanny for a player his height and weight. A varsity basketball player as a sophomore, at a school with a strong hoops program, Mackenzie is an ideal left tackle prospect as a pass blocker, but also as a powerful run blocker. So far, Toledo offer. Do I need to say it? Big Ten...??
4. Grant Toutant-6-7, 290-OT-Warren DeLaSalle -- Another kid who has stood out since he was a sophomore (and not just because of his mammoth size). Like Mackenzie, Toutant has excellent, athletic feet for a big man and uses his gigantic wingspan effectively in pass blocking. Plays for perennial state powerhouse Warren DeLaSalle, the defending Division 2 state champion, and competes week in and week out against some of the best high school football programs in the country in the Detroit Catholic League. Penn State, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin offers.
5. Evan Egan-6-8, 325-OT-Durand -- Another kid that isn't receiving much publicity statewide, in my opinion. A guy from a small town just west of Flint, Egan is a big man with good feet and mobility. Runs a 5.1 40. Plays basketball for Durand. Though no offers yet, MSU, CMU are recruiting.
6. Dallas Fincher-6-4, 280-OG-East Kentwood -- A bruising, physical blocker in the trenches for East Kentwood, Fincher is ranked in the top 10 nationally at his position. Fincher's father played at Michigan State as an offensive lineman in the 1980s. Fincher has offers from MSU, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, U-M, Minnesota, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Purdue among many others.
7. Deondre Buford-6-5, 265-OT-Detroit King -- I love this kid. Will be a three-year starter at national powerhouse King. Good mobility for an offensive lineman, Buford has long arms and good athleticism. Buford's ceiling is as high (or higher) than any player on this top 10 list. Has offers from Iowa, Purdue, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Iowa State, West Virginia.
8. Jake Swirple-6-2, 275-C-Livonia Franklin- A starter at center for last season's Division 2 state runner-up, Swirple is a natural talent in the middle for the Patriots. With a sturdy, wide base and strong feet and power, Swirple moves whoever is in front of him. Swirple plays with excellent bend, balance and leverage. Also one of the state's top heavyweight wrestlers, Swirple placed eighth at last year's D-I (big school) state meet. He ended up with a 49-10 overall record.
9. Connor Wolfgang-6-4, 275-OT-OG-Macomb Dakota -- Powerful and explosive, Wolfgang is a high-level prospect for Dakota, one of suburban Detroit's top high school football programs. A dominating run blocker, Wolfgang is a bit under the radar at the moment, but I believe he will soon start receiving more recruiting buzz. A left tackle for the Cougars, Wolfgang could also play guard at the next level.
10. (TIE) Josh Priebe-6-5, 285-OT-OG-Edwardsburg -- Priebe will be a four-year starter for the Eddies, one of the best mid-sized football programs in Michigan, if not the Midwest. With Priebe in the starting line-up, Edwardsburg, a small town in the southwest corner of Michigan near the Indiana border, has an overall record of 34-3 the past three years. Last season, behind Priebe, the Eddies finished as Division 4 state runner-up. A talented, all-around lineman, Priebe can play any position up front for Edwardsburg. Currently has offers from CMU and Toledo. Priebe is a Big Ten talent and is also receiving interest from Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska and Northwestern, along with Notre Dame. Kyle Rose-6-3, 275-OG-C-Vicksburg- Though playing left tackle for Vicksburg, a small town just south of Kalamazoo in southwest Michigan, I see Rose as a pulling guard or center at the D-I level. Like a lot of the players on this list, Rose is an outstanding, all-around athlete. A starter on the Bulldogs' varsity basketball team as a sophomore, Rose was so good on the court, the Kalamazoo Gazette named him one of the area's top underclassmen hoops players last season. On the football field, Rose uses that basketball quickness and footwork to dominate opposing defensive linemen. I project Rose to be a 6-3, 315 interior lineman at the next level, with a quickness and strength combination not seen by many players his size. Under recruited at the moment, but Big Ten all the way.

Other Top Offensive Linemen for Michigan's Class of 2020 (all are D-I recruits) -- 
Seth Keipert-6-7, 275-OT-Roscommon, Grant Smith-6-6, 290-OT-Walled Lake Northern, Luke Newman-6-4, 255-OT-Birmingham Brother Rice, James Toles-6-3, 315-OG-Detroit Mumford, Tanner Breitwisch-6-3, 265-OG-Hart, Zane Jaska-6-4, 250-OT-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, Brady Osburn-6-6, 250-OT-Tecumseh, Diesel Rose-6-3, 270-OG-Grant, Kellen Morrison-6-3, 290-OG-Warren Woods-Tower, Alex Holmes-6-2, 285-OG-C-Corunna, D'Andre Mills-Ellis-6-1, 300-C-Muskegon, Scott Spicer-6-4, 240-OT-Concord, Sherrod Green-6-1, 310-OG-Belleville (Morgan State offer), Caleb Outman-6-7, 285-OT-McBain, Nolan Garrard-6-6, 280-OT-Niles.

PHOTO -- Livonia Franklin junior center Jake Swirple (6-2, 275) is one of the top offensive line prospects in the state of Michigan for the class of 2020. Last season, as a sophomore, Swirple, ranked the No. 8 offensive lineman in the Great Lakes State for his class year, helped lead the Patriots to a Division 2 state runner-up finish.

PHOTO -- Jackson Lumen Christi junior tackle Keegan Smith (6-4, 285) is the No. 2-ranked offensive line prospect in the state of Michigan for the class of 2020. Behind Smith, a starter as a sophomore, the Titans captured the Division 6 state championship last season.

PHOTO -- Warren DeLaSalle junior offensive tackle Grant Toutant (6-7, 290) towers over his teammates during action this season. The No. 4-ranked offensive lineman in the state of Michigan for the class of 2020, Toutant currently holds offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.

Michigan's Top 10 Kickers and Punters for the Class of 2019

The state of Michigan has always been one of the country's best when it comes to producing and developing top place-kicking and punting talent. From former NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl kickers and punters such as Chester Marcol (Imlay City, Hillsdale, NFL), Pete Stoyanovich (Dearborn Heights Crestwood, Indiana, NFL) and Ralf Mojsiejenko (Bridgman, MSU, NFL) to current D-I kickers Quinn Nordin (Rockford, U-M), Pierson Cooke (Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, Vanderbilt), Cam Shook (Grosse Pointe South, Navy), Ryan Tice (Saline, CMU), Jake Moody (Northville, U-M), Ben Fee (Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Navy) and Tyler Hunt (Gobles, MSU), the Great Lakes State is stocked full with skillful kickers. Year in and year out, the state of Michigan churns out multiple Division I-level kickers and punters -- the class of 2019 is no different. Here are the top 10 kickers and punters for Michigan's class of 2019.

Top 10 kickers and punters for Michigan's class of 2019 (all are D-I-level players) -- 

1. Jackson Griskie-5-11, 185-Macomb Lutheran North-Two-time Detroit All-Catholic League selection.  
2. Luke Elzinga-6-4, 200-Grand Rapids Christian- Named to the AP Division 1-2 All-State first team and the Grand Rapids Press Dream Team as a junior, averaging 46 yards per punt. Ranked the No. 8 punter in the nation.
3. Evan Morris-6-5, 195-Ovid-Elsie-Named to AP Division 5-6 All-State first team as a junior. Made 12-of-16 FGs, including a long of 50 yards, made 22 PATs and recorded 24 touchbacks on kickoffs last year. Verbal to Michigan State
4. Drew Alsobrooks-6-1, 180-Livonia Churchill-Outstanding all-around athlete for Chargers. One of the top kickers in Michigan, but will play baseball in Mid-American Conference for CMU.
5. Tristan Mattson-5-11, 170-Clarkston-Has kicked 45- and 42-yard field goals this season for the Wolves. Verbal to Buffalo
6. Micah Sonnenberg-6-0, 180-Brooklyn Columbia Central- A dual sport star, Sonnenberg could play Division I college soccer or football. Sonnenberg has 59 goals this season on the soccer field (ninth all-time for one season in state history) and 160 goals in his career (sixth all-time). On the football field this year he kicked a school record 48-yard field goal.
7. Ethan Martysz-6-0, 185-Marquette- Besides being a strong kicker, Martysz is also one of the best wide receivers in the state. Last season, Martysz was named to the All-Upper Peninsula Dream Team as both a receiver and kicker.
8. Alec Thelen-5-11, 175-Pewamo-Westphalia-Truly one of the best kickers in the Midwest, Thelen is a small school standout with a big leg. Helped lead P-W to the Division 7 state championship last season. This year, while playing quarterback for the top-ranked Pirates, Thelen also handles the kicking duties. This season he has kicked a school-record 50-yard field goal and a 49-yarder, while punting for a 46-yard average. Last year, Thelen was selected to the AP Division 7-8 All-State team.
9. Jayce Bourcier-6-5, 190-Freeland- Has one of the strongest legs in the country. Last season, Bourcier boomed a 79-yard punt (seventh longest in state history) and a 58-yard punt. A rugby-style punter, Bourcier averaged 46 yards per punt as a junior. He had nine punts placed inside the opponents' 20-yard line last season en route to AP Division 5-6 All-State honors.
10. Marshall Fox-5-10, 195-Elk Rapids- Four-year starter for Elk Rapids as a kicker. Last season, Fox was named to the Traverse City Record-Eagle All-Region squad, making 28-of-29 PATs and 7-of-10 FGs, including a long of 42 yards. Seventy-one percent of Fox's kickoffs reached the end zone last year.  (TIE) Josh Castillo-5-10, 180-Wyandotte-Last season, Castillo was 44-of-47 on PATs and 7-of-10 on FGs, including a long of 39 yards.

Other top kicker and punters for Michigan's class of 2019 (all are D-I prospects) -- 
Jeremy Wiersman-5-10, 160-Allendale, Gabe Doree-5-10, 190-Trenton, J.T. Turner-5-11, 165-Saline, Dayne Weldy-6-1, 185-Grand Rapids Christian, Antonio Buhrfiend-5-9, 175-St. Joseph, Josh Gilmour-5-9, 160-Plymouth Salem, Cody Fick-5-9, 185-Lapeer (has kicked 49-yard FG this season).

PHOTO -- Pewamo-Westphalia senior Alec Thelen (5-11, 175) is one of the top kickers/punters in the state of Michigan, if not the Midwest. Also the Pirates' quarterback, this season Thelen, ranked No. 8 in the Great Lakes State, has kicked a school-record 50-yard field goal, while punting for a 46-yard average. Last year, Thelen helped lead P-W to the Division 7 state championship.


-- Up next, I'll start listing my top 10 position rankings for the state of Michigan's class of 2020 and class of 2021.

Michigan's Top 10 Defensive Back Recruits for the Class of 2019

Well. as usual, life happened and I've been away from my blog. Anyhow, let's get back to it now. Here are the top 10 defensive backs for the class of 2019 in the state of Michigan. The Great Lakes State every year produces big-time, high-level Division I college football talent in the secondary. Besides the offensive line and wide receiver, I think the position group where the state of Michigan produces the most talent each and every season is in the secondary.

Just off the top of my head, current NFL defensive backs from the Great Lakes State include Avonte Maddox (Detroit King, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia Eagles), Kavon Frazier (Grand Rapids Christian, CMU, Dallas Cowboys), Jeff Heath (Lake Orion, Saginaw Valley State, Dallas Cowboys), Darius Phillips (Dearborn Heights Robichaud, WMU, Cincinnati Bengals), Jourdan Lewis (Detroit Cass Tech, U-M, Dallas Cowboys), Desmond King (Detroit East English Village/Detroit Crockett, Iowa, Los Angeles Chargers), Josh Jones (Walled Lake Western, North Carolina State, Green Bay Packers), Delano Hill (Detroit Cass Tech, U-M, Seattle Seahawks) and Brandon Carr (Flint Carman-Ainsworth, Grand Valley State, Baltimore Ravens). Tony Lippett (Detroit East English Village/Detroit Crockett, MSU, Miami Dolphins) was a starter for the Dolphins at cornerback before suffering an injury last season.

Of course, throughout the decades, the state of Michigan has produced some of the game's greatest defensive backs including, Randy Logan (Detroit Northern, U-M, Pro Bowl safety for the Philadelphia Eagles), Bill Simpson (Royal Oak Shrine, MSU, Pro Bowl safety for the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills), Mike Bass (Ypsilanti, U-M, led the NFC in interceptions with eight in 1971, returned a fumble for a TD for a record 49 yards in Super Bowl VII and was named one of the 70 greatest Washington Redskins of all-time), Mike Harden (Detroit Central, U-M, captain of the Denver Broncos' famed "Orange Crush" defense, picked off 38 passes during his career, returning four for touchdowns), Todd Lyght (Flint Powers Catholic, Notre Dame, All-Pro cornerback with Los Angeles Rams, won a Super Bowl and collegiate national championship, current DB coach for the Fighting Irish), Dave Whitsell (Shelby, Indiana, All-Pro cornerback, led NFL in interceptions with 10 in 1967 while playing for the New Orleans Saints, member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame), Terry McDaniel (Saginaw, Tennessee, five-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All-Pro, 35 career interceptions, returned six interceptions for TDs) and Paul Krause (Burton-Bendle, Iowa, started four Super Bowls for the Minnesota Vikings, holds NFL record for interceptions in a career with 81, arguably the greatest safety to ever play the game, eight-time Pro Bowl selection, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame).

All that being said, here are the next generation of outstanding defensive backs from the state of Michigan. Here are the Great Lakes State's top 10 defensive back prospects for the class of 2019.

Michigan's top 10 defensive back recruits for the class of 2019 -- 

1. Julian Barnett-6-2, 195-Belleville -- He's also my No. 1 wide receiver prospect for Michigan's class of 2019. Arguably the best two-way talent in the Midwest, Barnett could play either WR or DB at the next level. With 4.5 speed and a tough, physical nature, Barnett is a handful on either side of the football. I can see Barnett gaining 20-25 pounds in college and lining up as a hybrid linebacker/strong safety-type guy and being extremely effective as a pass defender, run-stopper or a devastating pass rusher. He's an outstanding all-around football player. Verbal to Michigan State.
2. Marvin Grant-6-2, 205-Detroit King -- One of my favorite players in the state of Michigan. This kid just has "it." Maybe the best all-around, natural football talent in the Great Lakes State, Grant is a smooth, skillful player for the Crusaders. A bone-crushing tackler and ball hawk at safety, Grant is a three-year starter for national powerhouse King. Was hoping he'd stay in-state, but he's Big Ten all the way nonetheless. Verbal to Purdue. 
3. Rod Heard-5-10, 180-Farmington Hills Harrison -- Three-year starter at legendary Harrison program, Heard is also an explosive tailback prospects. A lockdown-type cornerback, Heard could also play safety at the next level. Led the Hawks to a Division 3 state runner-up finish last season. Has 4.5 speed and excellent vision, quickness and instincts. Verbal to Northwestern. 
4. M.J. Griffin-6-2, 185-Saline -- Great size and speed combination, Griffin is a three-year starter for the Hornets, a program which has produced plenty of D-I talent as of late (Josh Jackson-QB-Va Tech, Bryce Wolma-TE-Arizona, Dimitri Douglas-OL-Michigan State). Also a sure-handed, deep-threat receiver for Saline, Griffin uses his 4.5 speed and height to overwhelm opponents, especially on the defensive side of the football. He's a Big Ten talent for sure, but opted to play out of the conference. Verbal to Temple. 
5. Josh DeBerry-6-1, 175-Warren DeLaSalle -- Spark plug and catalyst for DeLaSalle on both sides of scrimmage. Exciting, explosive skill-set, DeBerry is a home run-type wide receiver for the Pilots and an "opponents just don't throw his way"-type cornerback. I like him as a shutdown cornerback at the next level. Good hands and burst, DeBerry led DeLaSalle to the Division 2 state championship last season. Michigan, Michigan State where are you on this guy? Holds offers from Northwestern, Wake Forest, Boston College, Colorado State, Iowa, Kentucky, Iowa State.
6. Aidan Harrison-6-3, 190-New Lothrop -- One of the best players nobody seems to be talking about. Harrison is a tremendous athlete, first and foremost. A basketball and track and field standout, Harrison has high jumped 6-foot-6. With his long strides, Harrison can cover a lot of ground quickly as a safety and, of course, out-leap most, if not all, opponents for 50-50 balls in the air. Verbal to Missouri.
7. Kobe Myers-6-2, 185-Waterford Mott -- A long, rangy cornerback for the Corsairs. Very fluid athlete who also is a standout wide receiver. Like many on this list, has good height/weight for a defensive back and will only get bigger and stronger at the next level. Has offers from Iowa and Syracuse among many others.
8. Kortez Toles-6-3, 185-Grand Blanc -- Overwhelming force at cornerback for the Bobcats. Uses height and length to smother opposing receivers. Has quickness and ball skills of a high-level DB prospect. As a corner, Toles reminds me of Tony Lippett (Detroit native, started at corner for the Miami Dolphins), at least with his height and mobility. At the moment, not receiving the recruiting publicity I believe he deserves. Has offers from Bowling Green State, Central Michigan, Cornell and Morgan State. Indiana, Maryland, Illinois, Rutgers, etc. where are you on this kid?
9. Jordan Anderson-5-11, 190-Harper Woods -- Was named first-team All-Detroit by the Detroit News last season while playing for Detroit East English Village. Had 43 tackles and six interceptions as a cornerback and rushed for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. A game-changer on either side of the football, Anderson is just a "football player." He could be successful as a RB at the next level, but I like him as a press cover, in-your-face cornerback. Verbal to Bowling Green State.
10. Daraun McKinney-5-10, 185-River Rouge -- The ultimate playmaker, McKinney is lightning in a bottle and one of the most explosive and exciting players in the state of Michigan. McKinney makes plays in all three phases of the game. A sticky cornerback and sure-handed receiver, McKinney is truly gifted as a kick and punt returner. Last season, McKinney returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns and five punts for touchdowns setting state records for both. Though the Big Ten wanted him (Indiana offer), McKinney will play in the Mid-American Conference. Verbal to Northern Illinois. 

Other top DB recruits for Michigan's class of 2019 (all are D-I prospects at some level) -- 
Art Herndon-5-11, 170-St. Joseph, Bradley Dunn-6-0, 175-Saugatuck (Division 7-8 All-State first team as junior, led Indians to D-7 state runner-up finish last season) , Tyrese Hunt-Thompson-5-11, 170-Cassopolis, Jaden Thelen-6-3, 190-Haslett (Lansing State Journal Dream Team pick as junior, three-sport star, four-year varsity football player), Jalen Broussard-6-1, 185-East Grand Rapids, Stephen Bracey-5-9, 165-East Kentwood (Verbal to WMU), Deamonte Clark, 5-9, 170-Wyoming Godwin Heights, Devante Bedford-6-1, 180-Montrose, Josh Kramer-6-0, 185-Lansing Catholic (Lansing State Journal Dream Team and Division 5-6 All-State selection as junior, six interceptions, 50 tackles last year), Noah Smith-6-0, 175-Lansing Everett, Nick Thomas-5-11, 190-Jackson Lumen Christi, Kobe Hayward-6-0, 185-East Lansing, Marcus Fuqua-6-1, 195-Southfield A & T (Verbal to Buffalo), Khalil Dawsey-5-10, 175-Birmingham Groves (Verbal to Harvard), Derrick Hinton-5-10, 170-Auburn Hills Avondale, Xavier Goldsmith-5-9, 170-Farmington Hills Harrison (Verbal to Colorado State), Elija Griffin-5-11, 185-Harper Woods (Verbal to Toledo), Nic Jones-6-1, 170-Southfield A & T (Verbal to Ball State), Javon Kimpson-5-11, 195-Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (Verbal to Miami, OH), Kamal Hadden-6-1, 165-River Rouge (Verbal to CMU), DaRon Gilbert-6-2, 195-Birmingham Brother Rice, Josiah Curry-6-0, 190-Mount Morris, Aaron Herron-6-3, 185-Holton (finished second in D-4 state track and field final in 110-meter hurdles in 14.95 and placed eighth in 100 meters in 11.44), Tahj Chatman-6-1, 185-Ypsilanti Lincoln, Michael Harper-5-11, 180-Anchor Bay, Ormondell Dingle-6-1, 190-Detroit Cass Tech (Verbal to CMU), Koleman Wall-6-3, 200-Muskegon Oakridge, T.J. VanKoevening-6-4, 205-Hudsonville Unity-Christian, Ahmad Gardner-6-2, 175-Detroit King (Verbal to Cincinnati), Jason Fairfield-6-0, 175-Holland West Ottawa (Holland Sentinel All-Area as junior, set school record with seven interceptions last season), Keimonnee Fields-5-9, 175-Waterford Mott, Hunter Delor-6-2, 205-Marysville, Tim Stallworth-6-1, 190-Dearborn Fordson, Rayvon Williamson-6-0, 175-Detroit Community (six interceptions, two returned for touchdowns this season), Zonterio Weekley-5-10, 170-Kalamazoo Central.

PHOTO -- Belleville senior Julian Barnett (6-2, 195) is arguably the best two-way player in the Midwest. A high-level Division I college football prospect at defensive back or wide receiver, Barnett is the No. 1-ranked recruit at both positions in the state of Michigan for the class of 2019. With 4.5 speed, Barnett is a tough, physical competitor on either side of the football. Barnett has verbally committed to Michigan State.