It's been a while, but that wonderful thing called life has recently gotten in the way of my high school football passion. That being said, I'm back and ready to scour the ENTIRE state of Michigan for high school football talent. There is Division I college football talent from the Upper Peninsula down to Michigan's southern border and all points in between throughout the Great Lakes State.
Since I recently completed my position-by-position Top 10 listings for the class of 2021, I'll start my position-by-position EARLY listings for the state of Michigan's class of 2022. Of course, if you read this blog, you'll know, in my opinion, success on the gridiron starts in the trenches, up front with the big fellas. So without further adieu, here is the Top 10 ranking of the Great Lakes State's class of 2022 offensive line prospects.
In my opinion, there is no state in the Midwest better at consistently producing, big-time D-I offensive line talent than Michigan. Here are the top 10 offensive line recruits for the class of 2022.
Top 10 Offensive Line Prospects for the state of Michigan's Class of 2022 (This is an early list and players will be added as the regular season and off-season rolls along) --
1. Ka'Marii Landers-6-4, 290-OG-C-Dearborn Fordson -- Massive, thick power blocker for Fordson, traditionally one of the state of Michigan's most physical and hard-hitting programs. From same suburban Detroit high school as Ed Bagdon (1949 All-American and Outland Trophy award winner at Michigan State, NFL with Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins, 1950 through 1952). Nebraska, West Virginia, Michigan State, Michigan, Kentucky, Oregon offers.
2. Brady Ploucha-6-5, 270-OT-Dearborn Divine Child -- Long-armed, athletic prospect from legendary Detroit Catholic League program. A few former Falcons include NFL players quarterback Gary Danielson (Purdue, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, 1976 through 1988) and wide receiver Jeff Chadwick (Grand Valley State, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, 1983 through 1992), along with former NFL head coach Pat Shurmur (Michigan State starting center on 1988 Rose Bowl and Big Ten champions, Cleveland Browns head coach, 2011 through 2012, New York Giants head coach, 2018 through 2019). Ploucha is a bit under-recruited at the moment, but I believe he will gain recognition and attention once his junior season is complete. CMU, Akron offers.
3. Daniel Rosa-6-6, 300-OT-Traverse City West -- Road-grader of the highest degree, Rosa, who was selected to the Traverse City Record-Eagle Dream Team last season as a sophomore, is the latest high-level, big-time D-I college football offensive line prospect from Traverse City West. Former Titan O-line greats include Jake Fisher (Oregon, NFL Cincinnati Bengals, 2015 through 2018, Buffalo Bills, 2019), Connor Hayes (played at Pitt 2014 through 2018) and Ryan Hayes (current U-M starting OT). Rosa looks to be on the same trajectory as the aforementioned three former T.C. West linemen.
4. James Livingston-6-7, 275-OT-Dexter -- I love this kid. Just look at his tape. At 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, Livingston has great feet, good bend and lean and is very athletic and mobile for a player his size. From Ann Arbor-area school more known for its cross country and swim programs, Livingston is by far the best offensive line prospect in Dreadnaught football history. Will be a three-year starter, Livingston is just scratching the surface of his unlimited potential.
5. Andrew DeVries-6-3, 280-C-OG-Zeeland East -- Will be a four-year starter for Zeeland East, DeVries is a prototypical Big Ten-like center prospect. Also a run-plugging defensive tackle recruit, DeVries has been selected to the Holland Sentinel football Dream Team every year since he was a freshman.
6. Zach Gregurich-6-4, 295-OG-Coldwater -- Little-known, but big-time talent at a powerful mid-sized southwest Michigan high school football program, Gregurich is a physical run-blocker of the highest order. A pancake machine, Gregurich is the type of player who'll develop and project to 6-4, 315-320 offensive guard-center at the next level. Will be a four-year starter for the Cardinals, Gregurich is a D-I O-line prospect.
7. Masai Reddick-6-4, 285-OG-Detroit Cass Tech -- From one of the premier high school football programs in the nation, Reddick is another in a long line of Big Ten-level prospects for the Technicians. Man-handles defensive opponents, Reddick is a tough, hard-nosed player for Cass Tech. Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Memphis, CMU, Buffalo, Akron, Bowling Green State offers.
8. Marco Fields-6-4, 295-OG-OT-Muskegon Reeths-Puffer -- An absolute beast in the trenches for Reeths-Puffer, Fields is a man among boys at times. A physical mismatch for most defenders unfortunate to line up against Fields, the Rocket junior standout is a high-level D-I prospect out of the football talent-rich city of Muskegon.
9. Dennis Strey Jr.-6-6, 295-OT-Paw Paw -- A bit of an unknown, but a kid who I believe has Big Ten potential. From same southwest Michigan high school as current U-M offensive lineman Karson Barnhart and former NFL Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Babin (WMU, NFL 2004 through 2015, played for nine teams). Strey Jr is a top-rated prospect because of his long arms, size and athleticism. Indiana, Purdue, Illinois get on this kid before MSU and U-M get in the mix.
10. (TIE) Hayden McDonald-6-3, 285-C-Montague -- Rugged, mix-it-up-type interior lineman for powerhouse, mid-sized Muskegon-area football program. Controls the interior for the Wildcats. Also a talented defensive tackle. Will be a three-year starter for Montague. Jackson Pruitt-6-5, 285-OT-OG-Detroit Cass Tech -- Outstanding two-way talent for Cass Tech. Pruitt is a big-time prospect on either side of the football. Pruitt's ceiling is as high as any player on this list. West Virginia, Maryland, Pitt, Kentucky, Syracuse, Colorado offers.
Other top offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2022 (all are D-I prospects at some level) -- Collin Haverlock-6-6, 260-OT-Woodhaven, Payton Pyle-6-6, 275-OT-Hartland (intriguing prospect, will be three-year varsity basketball starter, great footwork for big kid), Logan Horn-6-3, 260-OG-C-Hillsdale (top heavyweight wrestler, 300 bench press, 370 squat), Derek Driscoll-6-4, 310-OT-Muskegon Oakridge, Jaden Lewin-6-3, 285-OG-C-Grand Blanc, Andy Hartman-6-5, 255-OT-Grand Blanc, Devin Runnels-6-6, 330-OT-Flint Beecher, Levi Harbor-6-5, 250-OT-Montrose, Aiden Viar-6-1, 300-C-OG-Montrose, Nikioloa Kerher-6-3, 245-OG-Ludington, Jaden Johnson-6-4, 240-OT-Muskegon Catholic Central, Ben Flake-6-4, 275-OT-Detroit Catholic Central, Dontez Fuller-6-2, 265-OG-C-Birmingham Brother Rice, Mike Mathis-6-5, 320-OT-U-D Jesuit, Cam Heiss-6-4, 265-OT-Cedar Springs, Griffin Bloch-6-7, 275-OT-Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (three-sport player, football, basketball, track and field), Ethan Dewitt-6-4, 280-OT-East Lansing, Giuseppe Gottfried-6-4, 270-OT-Saline, Daniel Babcock-6-4, 280-OT-Lake Orion (5.2 40, 275 bench, 425 squat), Ashton Lepo-6-7, 245-OT-Grand Haven (CMU, Cincinnati offers), Dane Arnett-6-5, 240-OT-OG-Grand Haven (selected to the Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team as a sophomore, also heavyweight wrestler, also top DE, CMU offer).
PHOTO -- Dearborn Fordson junior guard-center Ka'Marii Landers (6-4, 290) is the state of Michigan's No. 1-ranked offensive line prospect for the class of 2022. Michigan State, Nebraska, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky and Oregon have offered Landers.
PHOTO -- Zeeland East junior guard-center Andrew DeVries (6-3, 280) is ranked the No. 5 offensive line prospect for the state of Michigan's class of 2022.
