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 Gary Ballman from my book "Michigan's All-Time Top 50 Pro Football Players." Ballman, one of the best players ever from the state of Michigan, could do it all on the gridiron.

GARY BALLMAN

Despite being an eighth round pick in the 1962 NFL draft, East Detroit High School graduate Gary Ballman would go on to become one of the best receivers and kick returners of his generation. Coming out of Michigan State University as the 104^th pick in the draft, Ballman would play 12 years in the NFL for four different teams.

Originally drafted by Pittsburgh, Ballman played five seasons for the Steelers from 1962 through 1966. He then suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1967 through 1972, before splitting his final professional season with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings in 1973. In total, Ballman played in 131 NFL games.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1964 and 1965, Ballman was named first team All-Pro by the Sporting News in 1964 after catching a career-best 47 passes for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. He posted a 19.9 yards per reception average which ranked second in the league. His 935 receiving yards was fourth in the NFL. In total, his 1,364 all-purpose yards was seventh in the league during the 1964 year. In 1965, he caught 40 passes for 859 yards and five touchdowns. His reception yardage was ninth in the league, while his 21.5 average yards per catch ranked third in the NFL and his 1,055 all-purpose yards ninth.

For his career, Ballman (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) finished with 323 catches for 5,366 yards and 37 touchdowns. A deep threat, Ballman had receptions of 87, 80 and 79 yards during his career. In 1970, while playing for the Eagles, he caught 47 passes for 601 yards and three TDs. His 47 receptions were 10^th best in the NFL. 

While a dangerous receiver, Ballman was just as talented as a return specialist. His 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 1963 is tied for seventh longest in Steelers’ history. With 64 total returns for 1,711 yards, he is among Pittsburgh’s career leaders, while his 26.7 yards per kick return is second best in the Steelers’ record book. In 1963, he had a career-best 22 kicks returned for 698 yards, which ranked sixth in the league,  one touchdown and a long run of 93 yards. His 31.7 yards returned per kick average that season was second in the NFL and is 17^th best all-time in league history.

With 66 career kickoff returns for 1,754 yards and one TD, Ballman’s 26.6 yards per kickoff return average over the course of his playing days, is 15^th in NFL history.

Also a productive runner when called upon, Ballman rushed for 202 career yards on 41 attempts for an average of 4.9 yards per carry with four touchdowns. In total, Ballman scored 42 career touchdowns for 252 points. A triple threat kind of player, Ballman was able to hit pay dirt and score TDs via pass reception, rushing attempt and kickoff return throughout his career.

An all around athlete, Ballman turned down a contract to pitch in the Major Leagues before being drafted by the Steelers. At Michigan State, Ballman played alongside fellow Michigan All-Time Top 50 gridders offensive lineman Ed Budde, center Dave Manders and tight end Fred Arbanas. Also a Spartan teammate during Ballman’s years at MSU was Pennsylvania native and future Hall-of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley.

 

 

 

 

Top 10 kicker prospects for Michigan's class of 2014

Each and every season Michigan produces multiple Division I college football placekickers and punters. This year the Great Lakes State has numerous returning All-State kickers. Here are the top 10 placekickers and punters for Michigan's class of 2014.

1. Kyle Bambard-5-9, 175-Walled Lake Western-Big Ten, D-I high major talent, PK
2. Jacob Howe-6-2, 250-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern-state's top P, also No. 10 DT
3. Jackson Maxwell-5-10, 170-Swartz Creek-Flint Journal Dream Team, 48-yd. FG, 34-37 PAT
4. Gabe Swanson-6-1, 220-Kingsford-U.P. Dream Team placekicker as junior
5. Spencer Howell-5-9, 165-Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes-AP Div. 7-8 All-State PK
6. Tommy Sanchez-5-10, 165-Detroit Westside Christian-AP Div. 7-8 All-State punter last year
7. Ryan Maguire-5-11, 185-Grand Haven-Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team placekicker
8. Corey Robinett-6-0, 170-Grass Lake-Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team punter as Jr.
9. Connor Storms-5-11, 170-Flint Carman-Ainsworth-Flint Journal Dream Team punter
10. Mickey Losey-5-10, 180-Portage Central-Kalamazoo Gazette All-Area punter, 37 yd. ave.

Other top prospects-Jason Alessi-6-0, 170-Birmingham Brother Rice (also one of state's best DBs), Kyle Haan-6-2, 185-Grand Rapids South Christian (booming kicks helped lead Sailors to D-4 state title last year), Andrew Click-6-0, 205-Portland (averaged 37 yards per punt for defending D-5 state champs).

Top 10 defensive back prospects for class of 2014

From Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause (Burton-Bendle) to perennial All-Pro shutdown corner Terry McDaniel (4-time selection from Saginaw, longtime Oakland Raider, 1988-1997, and along with Krause, one of "Michigan's All-Time Top 50 Pro Football Players") to current NFL standout Brandon Carr (Flint Carman-Ainsworth), Michigan has traditionally produced top-flight talent in the defensive secondary. This year's class of defensive backs is no different as every player on the top 10 list below (and many in the "other top prospects" list) is a Division I college football recruit. Here are Michigan's class of 2014 top 10 defensive back prospects.

1. Jalen Watts-Jackson-5-11, 175-Orchard Lake St. Mary's-one of state's best, pure talent
2. Damon Webb-5-11, 185-Detroit Cass Tech-prototypical lockdown CB, verbal to Ohio State
3. Doug Freeman-5-11, 200-Buchanan-unbelievable talent from small school, big-time sleeper
4. Tim Cason-6-0, 180-Clarkston-multiple Big Ten teams interested in hard-hitting safety
5. Byron Bullough-6-1, 205-Traverse City St. Francis-outstanding athlete, verbal to Michigan St.
6. Jalen Embry-5-11, 175-Detroit King-best King DB since current Detroit Lion Chris Greenwood
7. Deshaun Thrower-6-1, 195-Muskegon-best all around player on defending D-2 state runner-up
8. Mustafa Abdur-Rahman-5-11, 175-Macomb Dakota-six ints. last year, one returned for TD
9. Isaak Newhouse-6-0, 190-Grand Haven-Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team pick last year
10. Darrell McEntire-6-0, 170-Detroit Douglass-six ints. last year, two returned for TDs

Other top prospects-Dwayne Barfield-6-2, 180-Grand Rapids Christian, Angelo Prouix-6-0, 175-Warren Mott, Malik Fisher-6-2, 170-Grand Blanc, Chauncey Bridges-5-10, 170-North Farmington, Ross Williams-5-10, 165-Birmingham Groves, Carteris Carter-5-11, 190-Southfield, David Basirico-6-1, 180-Macomb Dakota (verbal to CMU), Alex Lewandoski-5-10, 180-Muskegon Catholic Central, Devon Harris-5-11, 165-Menominee (U.P. Dream Team, AP Div. 7-8 All-State pick a year ago), Sam Badalamenti-5-10, 185-Warren DeLaSalle (Det. News first team All-Metro East), Robert Kanitz-6-1, 185-Milan, Cody Peyok-5-10, 180-Reese (Bay City Times Dream Team, AP Div. 5-6 All-State), Dillon Dixon-5-11, 165-U-D Jesuit, Phillip Parham-5-9, 165-Detroit Cass Tech, Jason Alessi-6-0, 175-Birmingham Brother Rice, Chris Carter-5-11, 185-Birmingham Brother Rice, Eli Kraft-5-11, 175-Harbor Beach, Curtis Brunson-5-11, 175-Farmington (verbal to Ohio), Jevonte Alexander-5-9, 170-Flint Carman-Ainsworth, Trent Grimes-6-1, 200-Flint Powers Catholic (verbal to CMU).

Top 10 linebacker prospects for class of 2014

Here are the top 10 linebacker prospects for Michigan's class of 2014. From NFL players like Bart Scott (Detroit Southeastern), David Harris (Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills) and LaMarr Woodley (Saginaw) to college standouts like Max Bullough (Traverse City St. Francis, MSU) and Kenny Demens (Detroit Country Day, U-M), Michigan has an impressive history of churning out big-time linebacker talent. Here are the latest Division I-level college football linebackers from Michigan.

1. William White-6-2, 220-Detroit Cass Tech-three-year starter for two-time D-1 state champs
2. Paris Bennett-6-2, 215-U-D Jesuit-multiple Big Ten teams courting this bone-crusher
3. Carl Fuller-6-3, 215-Detroit King-great length and size from perennial PSL power
4. Devonte McGregor-6-4, 205-Taylor Truman-sub 4.6 40 for Downriver sleeper, also top TB
5. Deon Drake-6-1, 215-Detroit Cass Tech-already verbally committed to Michigan State
6. Brent Showers-6-0, 215-Rockford-super physical tackler for West Michigan powerhouse
7. Will Hunt-6-1, 225-Muskegon-leader of Big Reds defense, led team to D-2 state runner-up
8. Donnie Ernsberger-6-3, 220-Battle Creek Lakeview-Cereal City's top recruit, 106 tackles
9. Jake McKiernan-6-3, 205-Richmond-Detroit News Div. 3-4 All-State last season
10. Drew Dowding-6-2, 205-Michigan Center-Jackson Citizen-Patriot Player of Year as junior

Other top prospects-Jared Wangler-6-1, 215-Warren DeLaSalle (Penn State verbal), Tyler Jacqman-6-1, 215-Saginaw Nouvel Catholic, Stone Manczak-6-0, 210-Bay City Central, Preston Simon-6-3, 205-Portage Northern, Seth Malcolm-6-3, 220-Standish-Sterling, Preston Pelham-6-3, 220-Tecumseh, Chris Hill-6-3, 225-Birmingham Seaholm, Shaquan McGriff-6-0, 225-Ferndale, Randy Garvin-6-0, 210-Rockford, Jordan Cry-6-1, 215-Southfield, Damon Singleton-6-2, 210-Wyandotte (Ball State verbal), Paul Brown-6-0, 210-Grand Rapids Union, Shaun Jones Jr.-6-0, 215-Birmingham Brother Rice, DaJohn Strange-6-1, 205-Detroit Cody (85 tackles, 19 sacks a year ago).

Top 10 defensive tackle prospects for class of 2014

Here is the class of 2014 top 10 defensive tackle prospects for the state of Michigan. This group is one of the deepest and most talented in recent years. If a college head coach is searching for D-line help, Michigan in 2014 is the place to begin looking.

1. Jordan Van Dort-6-5, 295-Zeeland West-outstanding talent, plays TE as well, great mobility
2. Kenny Finley-6-3, 265-Muskegon-latest Big Ten-level recruit from Big Red program
3. Chris Hendricks-6-4, 275-Fruitport-another high level, Big Ten-type lineman
4. Chris Greca-6-5, 305-Grass Lake-intense, agile, big ol' nasty farm boy, made for Big Ten
5. David Beedle-6-5, 275-Clarkston-dominates trenches for one of state's top teams
6. Jake Khoury-6-3, 275-Traverse City St. Francis-terrific run-plugger for small school power
7. Archie Naert-6-3, 265-Reese-Divison I prospect from Michigan's Thumb region
8. Alberto Sandoval-6-3, 265-Birmingham Brother Rice-starter for D-2 state champions
9. Christian Dorobantu-6-4, 255-Tecumseh-speed forces constant double teams
10. Jacob Howe-6-2, 250-Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern-elite player, also All-State punter

Other top prospects-Evan Wilson-6-1, 310-Monroe, Demere Ramey-6-1, 305-Muskegon Orchard View, John Smutny-6-2, 255-Saline.

Top 10 defensive end prospects for class of 2014

Here are the top 10 defensive end prospects for Michigan's class of 2014. As one might expect, each player on this list is a Division I (high, mid or low) college football recruit. With current NFLers and Michigan natives Jason Babin (Paw Paw), Jason Jones (Southfield Lathrup) and Connor Barwin (U-D Jesuit) excelling at the highest level, the Great Lakes State is fertile ground for finding and developing defensive end talent.

1. Malik McDowell-6-7, 290-Detroit Loyola-Michigan's No. 1 overall prospect, size/agility combo
2. Lawrence Marshall-6-4, 225-Southfield-Big Ten schools drooling over Marshall's speed/size
3. Alex Neering-6-7, 240-Essexville-Garber-Bay City Times Defensive Player of Year as Jr.
4. Colin Jones-6-3, 260-Holt-three-year starter for Lansing area powerhouse program
5. Dylan Roney-6-3, 240-Detroit Catholic Central-Next great from legendary program
6. Zach Evans-6-2, 245-Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills-explosive, high motor type guy
7. John Williams-6-6, 235-Berrien Springs-Big-time athlete, also top-notch hoops player
8. Todd Postma-6-4, 240-Grand Rapids South Christian-led Sailors to D-4 state title
9. Nate Brisson-Fast-6-7, 225-Ferndale-Intriguing prospect with great size/speed package
10. Brian Sanders-6-4, 225-Detroit Cass Tech-next in long line of talented Technicians (BGSU)

Other top prospects-Zach Underwood-6-2, 220-Gibraltar Carlson, Ryan Matthias-6-5, 220-Hemlock, Jalen Dingle-6-3, 215-St. Clair Shores South Lake (verbal to Bowling Green State), Mitchell Wynkoop-6-3, 225-Traverse City Central.

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 Fred Arbanas from my book "Michigan's All-Time Top 50 Pro Football Players." Arbanas, one of the AFL's best ever, is one of the greatest tight ends in Michigan gridiron history.

FRED ARBANAS

Despite losing sight in one eye, Fred Arbanas would go on to become the American Football League’s prototype tight end. A strong blocker as well as receiver, Arbanas started for the Kansas City Chiefs in two of the first four Super Bowls, including Super Bowl I against the Green Bay Packers.

Drafted by the Dallas Texans (later the Kansas City Chiefs) in the second round of the 1962 AFL draft, Arbanas played eight years in the AFL and one season in the NFL, all with the Chiefs. He was a six-time Sporting News All-AFL selection as a tight end and a six-time AFL All-Star pick. Making his accomplishments even more impressive was the fact Arbanas played six years with sight in only one eye after suffering an off-field injury early in his career.

Arbanas (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) played in 118 career games, catching 198 passes for 3,101 yards and 34 touchdowns. His reception and touchdown totals were Chief records for a tight end until broken by Tony Gonzalez. Snaring passes for the majority of his career from future Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson, Arbanas finished with a 15.7 yards per catch average during his pro tenure.

A Michigan State University graduate, Arbanas helped lead Kansas City to three AFL championships throughout his career. His best season was 1964 when he caught 34 passes for 686 yards and eight touchdowns. That year, Arbanas had a 20.2 yards per catch average.

On Jan. 15, 1967, in Super Bowl I at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Arbanas faced the Green Bay Packers as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. In what has now virtually become a national holiday in America, the Chiefs, the AFL champions, fell to the Packers, the NFL title-winners, 35-10 in the first-ever Super Bowl contest. Also starting alongside Arbanas for Kansas City in Super Bowl I was fellow Michigan All-Time Top 50 player, offensive lineman Detroit native Ed Budde.

On Jan. 11, 1970, Arbanas started for the Chiefs at tight end in Super Bowl IV. Kansas City defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 in the game. While the contest itself on the field was significant, Super Bowl IV would go down in history, and eventually be remembered more, as the last match-up between the AFL and the NFL in football’s greatest game. The following season would see the AFL merge into the NFL forming one league, separated by two divisions, the NFC and the AFC. The win by Kansas City against the Vikings evened the Super Bowl series between the AFL and NFL at 2-2. The year before, in Super Bowl III, the New York Jets, out of the AFL, and spurred on by quarterback Joe Namath’s guarantee of victory, defeated the heavily favored NFL champion Baltimore Colts.

Super Bowl IV had a distinct Michigan flavor as Arbanas and Budde suited up for the Chiefs, while the Vikings started Michigan All-Time Top 50 players, offensive lineman Madison Heights’ Grady Alderman and future Hall of Fame defensive back Flint’s Paul Krause.

A graduate of Redford St. Mary High School, Arbanas was named to the All-Time All-AFL team as a tight end. He is enshrined in the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame. He also was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.