Michigan's Top 10 Quarterbacks for the Class of 2021

With everything going on right now and the state of Michigan on lock down, I figured it was as good of a time as ever to talk a little high school football. In this blog installment, let's take a look at the 2021 quarterback class for the Great Lakes State. The state of Michigan's 2021 class at the signal-caller position is arguably the deepest, most-talented and best ever in Great Lakes State high school football history. I've been covering and following high school football in Michigan for close to 40 years and the 2021 quarterback class is by far the highest-rated and most-skilled I can remember. It ranks right up there and easily surpasses the most recent "best class ever" at the quarterback position (2018 class) in the Great Lakes State. The class of 2018 had nine quarterbacks commit to Division I college football programs -- Theo Day-Dearborn Divine Child-Michigan State, Jason Whittaker-Rockford-Northwestern, El-Julien Jordan-Detroit Central-WMU, Bryce Veasley-West Bloomfield-Bowling Green State, Caden Prieskorn-Orchard Lake St. Mary's-Memphis, Max Wittwer-Utica Eisenhower-Michigan, Aaron Jackson-Detroit Cass Tech-EMU, Joel Wilson-Petoskey-CMU and John Paddock-Bloomfield Hills-Ball State.

I believe, the state of Michigan's 2021 class has at least 10 Division I-level quarterback prospects. If the Great Lakes State's five D-I college football playing schools (MSU, U-M, CMU, EMU, WMU) can't find, properly evaluate and sign at least one signal-caller from Michigan's class of 2021, the above mentioned schools' individual recruiting coordinators and recruiting staff should have their collective eyes checked and their ability to evaluate talent questioned because the prospect level at the quarterback position is off the charts for 2021.

That being said, here are the Top 10 quarterbacks for Michigan's class of 2021 --

Top 10 Quarterback Prospects for the class of 2021 -- 

1. Christian Dhue-Reid-5-11, 220-Belleville -- He might not be the tallest or the fastest, but this kid is just a flat-out gamer and winner. He's tough, hard-nosed and a true leader. He's a "Brett Favre-like" competitor who consistently makes big plays in big moments for Belleville. I love Dhue-Reid's moxie and poise. I look for a quarterback who values the football and can move the chains, as well as make highlight-reel plays when called upon. Dhue-Reid is that type of player. A four-year starter for the Tigers, one of the Midwest's top high school football programs, which every year sends multiple players to Big Ten-level schools, Dhue-Reid threw for 2,706 yards and 33 touchdowns last season, with only three interceptions. Behind Dhue-Reid, Belleville reached the Division 1 (big school) state semifinals last season. Dhue-Reid completed 63 percent of his passes last year, while also scoring four rushing TDs. Big Ten, c'mon, where are you on this kid? Miami (OH) offer.
2. Brendan Sullivan-6-3, 190-Davison -- Sullivan can do it all on the football field. A true dual-threat signal-caller, Sullivan led Davison, a school near Flint, to Michigan's Division 1 (big school) state championship last season. Behind Sullivan, whose father (offensive tackle from East Lansing) played college football at the University of Michigan, the Cardinals averaged 44 points per game last year en route to their state title. Last season, Sullivan passed for 3,044 yards and 33 touchdowns, while also rushing for 700 yards and 11 TDs. Sullivan earned Associated Press Division 1-2 first team All-State honors last year. An all-around athlete, Sullivan is also a high-level basketball player, garnering All-Saginaw Valley first-team honors last season as a junior. Verbal to Northwestern
3. Colin Parachek-6-4, 195-Dexter -- Parachek already looks like a Big Ten quarterback. Long, lanky and athletic, Parachek should flesh out to a solid 6-4, 215-220 at the next level. With a strong, powerful arm, Parachek passed for 2,817 yards and 39 touchdowns last season, with three rushing TDs, as well. With Parachek under center the Dreadnaughts, a school near Ann Arbor, have reached the state football playoffs the past two seasons, going 8-2 last year and 6-4 the previous season. While that might not be too impressive to the casual observer, one has to realize before Parachek, Dexter football went winless for four straight years (0-36) and as a program had never made the state playoffs in school history. With the talented Parachek at quarterback, Dexter has gone 14-6 the past two seasons, which is an incredible turnaround for a program thought to be basically dead only three years ago. Unbelievably, Parachek isn't being recruited heavily by D-I schools. This is one of the reasons why I write this blog. How can a player of Parachek's talent, size and leadership not be on every Big Ten and/or MAC football program's radar? This kid is the real deal and a bonafide, high-level D-I college football prospect. I just shake my head...
4. Zach Trainor-6-2, 205-Walled Lake Western -- The latest big-time quarterback prospect out of Walled Lake Western (Sam Johnson, class of 2019, Boston College signee), Trainor enters his second season as a starter for the Warriors. Last year, Trainor finished with video-game-like numbers, passing for 3,843 yards and 44 touchdowns, achieving a 74 percent completion rate, with only four interceptions. On the ground, Trainor rushed for four touchdowns. Last season, Trainor teamed with wide receiver Abdur-Raheem Yaseen (86 receptions, 1,646 yards, 20 TDs, Purdue commit), Michigan's AP Division 1-2 Player of the Year, to form one of the most explosive pass-catch combos in the nation. For his performance last year, Trainor was named to Michigan's AP Division 1-2 first-team All-State squad. Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss, EMU offers.
5. Mareyohn Hrabowski-6-4, 210-River Rouge -- I love this kid. Hrabowski might have the highest ceiling, talent-wise and skill-wise, as any player on this star-studded list. Hrabowski burst on not only the statewide scene, but the national scene, after last season's performance in the Division 3 state championship game against Muskegon. Behind Hrabowski, River Rouge defeated the nationally-ranked Big Reds (No. 18 in the country by USA Today), 30-7 in the D-3 state title contest. Hrabowski out-performed Muskegon's all-everything quarterback/playmaker Cameron Martinez (Ohio State commit) in the game. Arguably the top dual threat quarterback in the Great Lakes State, if not the Midwest, Hrabowski passed for 1,045 yards and 11 touchdowns, with only two interceptions last year, while rushing for 1,175 yards and 14 TDs. Big, strong and quick, Hrabowski is a handful for opposing defenses. A bit raw right now, this kid's future is bright, indeed. Verbal to WMU
6. Drew Collins-6-3, 210-Montague -- Most years, Collins would be a top three quarterback prospect, but in this stacked 2021 class of signal-callers, I have him ranked as Michigan's No. 6 recruit at the position. Like the players above, Collins is a big-time Big Ten-level prospect. A coach's son, Collins is polished and knowledgeable football-wise, but possesses a high-level skill as both a passer and runner. Last season, Collins led the Wildcats to the Division 6 state semifinals, passing for 2,425 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only three interceptions, while on the ground, he rushed for 807 yards and 16 TDs. Last year, Collins was named to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Division 6 All-State first team and to the Detroit Free Press D-6 All-State first squad. Incredibly, like Dexter's Colin Parachek, Collins isn't receiving the D-I college football interest he so richly deserves. Where are you MSU, U-M, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, etc. and MAC schools?
7. Braylon Silvas-6-1, 180-Flint Kearsley -- Silvas is another top-rated dual-threat-type of quarterback for Michigan's class of 2021. Neck-and-neck with Davison's Brendan Sullivan as the Flint area's best quarterback, Silvas passed for 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, while rushing for 1,022 yards and 19 TDs. The Flint Journal's Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore (Davison's Sullivan was the Flint Journal's Offensive Player of the Year last season), Silvas recorded 2,822 yards of total offense last season for Kearsley.
8. Conor Easthope-6-2, 200-Ann Arbor Pioneer -- From John Harbaugh's (Baltimore Raven head coach) and Jim Harbaugh's (University of Michigan  head coach) former high school, Easthope is one of the state of Michigan's top quarterback prospects. A strong pocket passer, with scrambling ability, Easthope, a three-year starter for Pioneer, was 107-for-210 passing for 1,884 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. On the ground, Easthope ran for 368 yards and eight TDs last year. Verbal to Harvard
9. Carson Gulker-6-3, 190-Zeeland West -- I just like this kid's athleticism and play-making ability. One of the top basketball players on the state of Michigan's west side, Gulker is a top-level athlete. A quarterback on a power-running team, Gulker still managed to pass for 1,239 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. A three-year starter for Zeeland West, a school near Grand Rapids, Gulker has excellent speed and mobility and a strong arm. I think once Gulker gets into a D-I college football program, redshirts, learns the system and gets bigger and stronger, the sky is the limit for this kid. There won't be too many quarterbacks a better all-around athlete than Gulker, that's for sure.
10. Jalin Pitchford-6-0, 205-Wyandotte -- Maybe the best pocket presence out of all the top 10 quarterbacks on this list. Excellent movement, lateral ability and footwork in the pocket, Pitchford is strong and accurate throwing on the run while scrambling or from a drop back position. Plays good competition in Detroit's blue-collar Downriver suburbs (southern suburban area), Pitchford will be a three-year starter for Wyandotte. A team captain, Pitchford holds a 4.0 grade point average. It's a bit of a cliche for quarterbacks Pitchford's size, but his game does resemble Russell Wilson's somewhat in his skill as a passer and runner. Pitchford runs a 4.7 40 and a 12.2 100-meters. Pitchford already holds multiple Division I college football offers, including CMU, Buffalo, Bowling Green State, EMU and Miami (OH).

Other top quarterback prospects for Michigan's class of 2021 (all are Division I prospects) -- Gavin Ganun-6-2, 190-Blissfield (will be four-year football starter for Royals, a strong southern Michigan program, an outstanding all-around athlete, Ganun, also a four-year varsity performer on the diamond, has verbally committed to play baseball at Bowling Green State), Austin Myers-6-3, 215-New Boston Huron (News-Herald Dream Team selection, was 84-of-141 passing for 1,351 yards and 12 TDs, with four interceptions, had 678 yards rushing and 11 TDs, News-Herald covers the southern Downriver Detroit suburbs), Bobby Skinner-6-1, 180-Montrose (will be a four-year starter for Rams, helped lead Montrose to Division 6 state quarterfinals as a junior and state semifinals as a sophomore, has led Rams to 27-8 overall record in three years as starter), Ali Beydoun-6-2, 220-Dearborn Fordson (led Tractors to 9-2 overall record last season as junior), Brady Hessbrook-6-1, 190-Ithaca (led Yellowjackets to 8-2 overall record last season as junior, head coach's son, Ithaca is a five-time state championship program and two-time state runner-up, the Yellowjackets had a national-best 69-game winning streak from 2009 through 2014, Morehead State, Valpariso, Butler offers), Al Money-6-0, 180-Midland (Midland Daily News Dream Team selection, passed for 1,433 yards and 21 TDs, while rushing for 463 yards and four touchdowns, will be three-year starter), , Owen Swanson-6-2, 190-Muskegon Orchard View, Alex Tholes-5-10, 185-Schoolcraft (small town prospect, Kalamazoo Gazette Dream Team selection, 145-of-199 passing for 2,999 yards and 38 TDs with only three interceptions), Noah Beaudrie-5-11, 190-Erie-Mason (another southern Michigan standout, Beaudrie is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the Great Lakes State, might be the best scrambler/open field runner at the QB position in Michigan, finished 109-of-190 passing for 1,636 yards and 12 TDs, while rushing for 1,470 yards and 25 TDs last season).

PHOTO -- Davison's Brendan Sullivan (6-3, 190) is the state of Michigan's No. 2-ranked quarterback for the class of 2021. Last season, Sullivan led the Cardinals to the Division 1 (big school) state championship, passing for 3,044 yards and 33 touchdowns. Sullivan is verbally committed to Northwestern. Photo by Jake May/MLive.com.

PHOTO -- Dexter's Colin Parachek (6-4, 195) is the state of Michigan's No. 3-ranked quarterback prospect for the class of 2021. Last year, Parachek threw for 2,817 yards and 39 touchdowns. Photo by Ben Allan Smith.

PHOTO -- Wyandotte's Jalin Pitchford (6-0, 205) drops back to pass during a game last season. Pitchford is the No. 10-ranked quarterback recruit for the state of Michigan's class of 2021. Pitchford currently holds multiple Division I college football offers, including CMU, Buffalo, Bowling Green State, EMU and Miami (OH).

Top 10 Defensive Line Prospects for Michigan's Class of 2021

The state of Michigan has always been a national leader when it comes to the level of high school football talent produced along the defensive line. Year after year, season after season, the Great Lakes State has multiple big-time Division I college football prospects disrupting offenses on high school football fields from Detroit to Grand Rapids and all points in between.

This past college football season, the state of Michigan was well-represented along the defensive line on high-level squads throughout the Midwest. Just off the top of my head, four of the Midwest's top college football programs had plenty of Great Lakes State D-line talent making life miserable for opposing offenses this past season.

At Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish had three players from Michigan high school football programs starting or as part of the rotation along the defensive line this season. Senior Khalid Kareem (6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Farmington Hills Harrison) and juniors Daelin Hayes (6-4, 260, Ann Arbor Skyline) and Ade Ogundeji (6-4, 255, Walled Lake Central) were dominant players for Notre Dame this past year up front. Kareem and Hayes (before being injured) were starters, while Ogundeji saw plenty of snaps every game as part of the Fighting Irish's D-line rotation. Kareem is projected as a possible first-day NFL draft pick this April, while Hayes and Ogundeji are penciled in as starters next season in South Bend with both more than likely having NFL futures.

At Iowa, senior Cedrick Lattimore (6-3, 295, Detroit East English Village) and junior Chauncey Golston (6-5, 270, Detroit East English Village) were starters this past season for the Hawkeyes. Lattimore has an NFL future, as does Golston, who's expected to be one of the Big Ten's best next year along the defensive line.

At Michigan State, senior Kenny Willekes (6-4, 260. Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian) was one of the nation's top defensive ends this past season and is expected to be an early round NFL draft pick this April, while over at Michigan, sophomore Aidan Hutchinson (6-6, 280, Dearborn Divine Child) is already the bell cow on the Wolverines' defensive line. Hutchinson eventually could be a first round NFL draft pick.

If that wasn't enough, at Division II Ferris State, senior defensive end Austin Edwards (6-5, 280, Lansing Waverly) is an NFL prospect, as well. This past season, Edwards was named the GLIAC Player of the Year, a Division II All-American and earned the Gene Upshaw Award as the top interior lineman in Division II. Edwards looks to follow in the footsteps of former Ferris State star defensive end Zach Sieler (6-6, 300, Pinckney), in his second NFL season with the Miami Dolphins. Sieler was the first Bulldog player ever selected in the NFL draft when he was picked by the Baltimore Ravens in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.

The above players are a small, but extremely talented, sample of the defensive line talent from the state of Michigan scattered throughout the college football landscape this past season. Below are the next crop of future All-Big Ten, All-American and NFL players along the defensive line from the Great Lakes State. There are so many quality Division I-level defensive lineman in the state of Michigan's 2021 class it's incredible.

Here are the top 10 defensive line prospects for the state of Michigan's class of 2021.

Top 10 Defensive Line Recruits (All are D-I prospects at some level)-- 

1. Damon Payne-6-4, 295-DT-Belleville- A top five recruit in the state of Michigan, Payne received his first college football scholarship offer as a middle school student. One of the best defensive line recruits in the nation, Payne is also a talented O-line prospect, as well. Thick, powerful and strong as an ox, Payne projects out to 6-4, 335 or so at the next level, with not only strength, but good mobility and quickness for a player his size. Verbal to Alabama
2. Rocco Spindler-6-4, 290-DT-Clarkston- Maybe the best two-way player in the trenches in the Midwest, though Belleville's Damon Payne might have something to say about that. Similar to Payne, I project Spindler to flesh out around 6-4, 325-330 or so at the next level. Big, physical and tough, Spindler is also one of the nation's top offensive line prospects. Imagine having Spindler and Payne as your college program's defensive tackles for the next four or five years to develop and teach. If only one of Michigan's five Division I college football playing schools could make that happen, that would be incredible. Verbal to Notre Dame
3. Rayshaun Benny-6-5, 270-DE-DT-Oak Park- The next big-time lineman from Oak Park. Marquan McCall (6-3, 320, starting DT at Kentucky) and Justin Rogers (6-3, 300, No. 1 player in Michigan for 2020 class and Kentucky commit) are the past two Oak Park standouts along the defensive line. Benny is definitely in the same talent class as McCall and Rogers. With long arms and good feet, Benny could be one of those players at the next level who fleshes out to 6-5, 295 and can play DE and also move inside to DT in certain packages. Benny is also a skilled offensive lineman. He could play on either side of the line of scrimmage in college. Verbal to Michigan State
4. Derrick Harmon-6-3, 320-DT-Detroit Loyola- A beast inside for Detroit Loyola, Harmon is an overpowering force up front at the high school level. A run-plugger of the highest order, Harmon is an immovable object in the trenches. Another outstanding two-way player (as most players are on this list), Harmon would also make a nice bulldozing offensive guard or center in college. Verbal to Michigan State
5. Caleb Banks-6-6, 255-DE-Southfield A & T- With a huge wingspan and good quickness off the edge, Banks is a big-time prospect. Colleges are looking at Banks on both sides of the football. With his reach and mobility, Banks could develop into a talented offensive tackle at the next level. On defense, though, Banks can basically control one side of the field with his strength and athleticism. Verbal to Louisville
6. Tyson Watson-6-6, 270-DE-Warren Mott- Gritty, tough, physical player off the edge for Mott, a high school in Warren, a blue-collar Detroit suburb. Great length and size along the D-line, Watson could also project out to an offensive tackle in college. I like him on the D-line, though. I see him fleshing out at 6-6, 280-290 at the next level and being a pass-rushing monster off the edge. Verbal to Michigan State
7. Ru'Quan Buckley-6-6, 280-DE-Wyoming Godwin Heights- One of the Grand Rapids area's top prospects, Buckley is raw, but extremely talented on either side of the football. Buckley's high school coach said he had to hold Buckley out of 1-on-1 and full contact team drills for fear of his star lineman hurting his teammates. That's how tough and physical Buckley is on the football field. A guy who will develop at the next level, Buckley's ceiling is as high or higher as any player on this list. Verbal to Nebraska
8. Pius Odjugo-6-3, 325-DT-River Rouge- I love this kid. He's one of my "sleeper" players in Michigan for the class of 2021. A run-plugger by trade, what impressed me about Odjugo, however, was his relentless effort and pursuit of the ball carrier on every play in this past year's state title contest. For a player of his size, Odjugo has surprising nimbleness and quick feet. Against nationally-ranked Muskegon in this past season's D-3 state championship game, Odjugo was all over the field chasing, pressuring and bringing down the Big Reds' star player QB Cameron Martinez (Ohio State commit) helping the Panthers soundly defeat Muskegon (ranked No. 18 by USA Today), 30-7. Making his performance even more impressive was the fact Odjugo was squared up most of the state title game against Muskegon's standout senior center D'Andre Mills-Ellis (6-2, 305) and fared well against one of the state of Michigan's best at that position. Verbal to CMU
9. Kyle Fugedi-6-6, 300-DT-Livonia Franklin- Fugedi just looks like a Big Ten recruit. Like others on this list, Fugedi is a talented two-way player. On defense, he's a powerful, lanky end prospect, who can move inside and use his long arms to disrupt pass attempts, while offensively, he uses that same long reach to keep rushing defensive linemen at bay. Fugedi is a player who could project out to 6-6, 320 and be used inside on defense or be an outstanding tackle on offense. Verbal to Miami (OH) despite Indiana, Kentucky offers.
10 (3-WAY TIE). Harry Unger-6-3, 230-DE-Davison- The closest thing the state of Michigan's class of 2021 has to Kenny Willekes (MSU's All-American DE from Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian). Like Willekes coming out of high school, Unger is flying under the recruiting radar, but is most certainly a Division I-level college football prospect. Like Willekes, Unger spends most of his time during games in the opposing team's backfield. Last season, Unger recorded 27 TFL and eight sacks, along with 54 total tackles, helping lead Davison, a town near Flint, to the D-1 state championship. Named to the Detroit News Division 1 and 2 All-State first-team and the Flint Journal Dream Team last year, Unger is a high-motor, never-stop-chasing-type of player. Big Ten, MAC, check this kid out. You can thank me later... Verbal to Air Force  Carter Cushman-6-4, 250-DE-DT-Plainwell- The best player and prospect out of Plainwell, a small town in southwest Michigan, since Jack Conklin (6-6, 310, Michigan State, current All-Pro OT for Tennessee Titans), Cushman brings an unique combination of  size, toughness and athleticism not seen often in a player of his height and weight. Not only talented on the football field, Cushman is also a standout swimmer and track and field athlete for Plainwell. Cushman had 41 tackles and seven TFL last season. I like the potential of this young man because of his well-rounded athletic ability, coupled with his massive size and length. Connor Hindenach-6-3, 250-DE-Paw Paw- A play-maker from the DE position for Paw Paw, a small community in southwest Michigan. Reminds me of former Paw Paw great and NFL two-time Pro Bowl DE Jason Babin (6-3, 265, two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year at WMU, first round draft pick in 2004 of Houston Texans). Like Babin (64.5 career sacks), Hindenach lives in the opponent's backfield and is a quarterbacks worst nightmare. Detroit News Division 3-4 All-State selection, Detroit Free Press All-State, one of Michigan's top sleeper/diamond-in-the-rough prospects, 4.8 40, Kalamazoo Gazette Dream Team, 95 tackles, 26 TFL, eight sacks last season.

Other top D-line recruits for the state of Michigan's class of 2021 (all are D-I-level players)-
Clarence Wilson-6-4, 235-DE-Detroit Cass Tech (Verbal to Toledo), Esean Carter-6-3, 265-DE-DT-Detroit King (Cincinnati, Temple, CMU offers), Dorian Ray-6-3, 260-DT-Detroit Cass Tech (Verbal to Toledo), Hezekiah Green-6-3, 255-DE-Detroit Western (Detroit Free Press All-Detroit first-team last season, 13 sacks, 12 TFL), Arnez Polk-6-3, 290-DT-Detroit Western, Walker Martin-6-2, 280-DT-Montague (Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team, 61 tackles, 11.5 TFL, two sacks, one fumble recovery last year), Blake Smithers-6-2, 295-DT-Elkton-Pigeon-Bayport (one of the top prospects in Michigan's Thumb region), Kevarr Ellis-6-2, 305-DT-Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, Isiah Daniels-6-2, 245-DE-DT-Warren Mott (named All-Macomb County first-team last season, Detroit News Division 1 and 2 All-State second team), Dan McKiernan-6-2, 260-DT-Richmond (All-Macomb County first-team, 40 tackles, seven TFL), Joe Brown-6-3, 245-DE-St. Joseph, Toby MacPhee-6-5, 225-DE-Bad Axe, Mitchell Umlor-6-3, 240-DE-Allendale, Ryan Wood-6-1, 320-DT-Cadillac, Mike Elliot-6-4, 230-DE-Traverse City West, Darren Chinery-6-2, 245-DE-Saginaw Nouvel (Saginaw News Dream Team), Mario Disanto-6-3, 270-DT-Riverview Gabriel Richard, Michael Momber-6-3, 290-DT-Hudsonville, Austin Henard-6-2, 240-DE-Fenton (Flint Journal Dream Team, 42 tackles, 10 TFL, eight sacks), D.J. Greenbay-6-1, 270-DT-Big Rapids, Noah Kindle-6-2, 230-DE-Port Huron, Max Alvarez-6-2, 240-DE-Allen Park (News-Herald Dream Team selection, 45 tackles, 15 TFL, two sacks, one safety, News-Herald covers the southern Downriver Detroit suburbs), Jamari Littlejohn-6-3, 235-DE-Okemos, Will Leggon-6-2, 280-DT-NG-Detroit Country Day (helped lead Country Day to Division 4 state runner-up finish last year, Detroit News Division 3-4 All-State pick), Logan Murray-6-3, 305-DT-Flint Powers Catholic (Verbal to Michigan State).

PHOTO -- Belleville's Damon Payne (6-4, 295) is the state of Michigan's No. 1-ranked defensive line prospect for the class of 2021. Payne is verbally committed to Alabama. 

PHOTO -- Oak Park's Rayshaun Benny (6-5, 270) is one of the top two-way linemen in the Midwest. An all-around, talented player, Benny is the state of Michigan's No. 3-ranked defensive lineman for the class of 2021. Benny is verbally committed to Michigan State. 

PHOTO -- Wyoming Godwin Heights' Ru'Quan Buckley (6-6, 280) is one of the Grand Rapids area's top prospects and one of the state of Michigan's best players for the class of 2021. A two-way talent at defensive end and offensive tackle, Buckley is ranked the No. 7 defensive line prospect in the Great Lakes State. Buckley is verbally committed to Nebraska. 

Top 10 Offensive Line Prospects for Michigan's Class of 2021

I wish I could do this full time. As usual, that little thing called life interrupted what is truly my love and passion -- high school football in the state of Michigan -- more specifically, blogging about high school football in the Great Lakes State.

It's been over a year since I last sat down to blog. Crazy... Anyhow, watching the two NFL conference championship games today, I felt compelled to put pen to paper, err, I mean, fingertips to keyboard, and write a bit about the offensive line talent in the state of Michigan.

In today's NFL conference title match-ups, there were eight starting offensive tackles combined for the four teams left in the playoffs. Of the eight starting tackles, FOUR were from the state of Michigan. If that fact alone doesn't tell a college football recruiter, especially those from Michigan's five Division I college football-playing programs, the level of offensive line talent in the Great Lakes State, then I don't know what will.

Of the eight starting tackles, four were from the state of Michigan and one each from Pennsylvania, California, Arizona and Illinois. The four tackles from the Great Lakes State were Eric Fisher (6-7, 315, Kansas City Chiefs, CMU, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek), Jared Veldheer (6-8, 320, Green Bay Packers, Hillsdale, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern), Joe Staley (6-5, 295, San Francisco 49ers, CMU, Rockford) and Jack Conklin (6-6, 310, Tennessee Titans, MSU, Plainwell). The other four starting tackles were Mitchell Schwartz (Kansas City, native of California), Bryan Bulaga (Green Bay, native of Illinois), Mike McGlinchey (San Francisco, native of Pennsylvania) and Taylor Lewan (Tennessee, native of Arizona).

I've said it many times before in this blog, but it is truly mind-boggling how any of Michigan's five D-I college football playing schools could ever have offensive line issues. There is so much high school football offensive line talent in the state of Michigan every single year, it, at best, defies logic or, at worst, a complete ignorance of high school football in the Great Lakes State, that our five D-I college football programs can't have top-notch O-lines each and every season. It's inexcusable and downright unforgivable to those who know high school football in Michigan to watch our five D-I football programs struggle upfront offensively -- ever.

If you look at our five D-I football playing schools, you could make an argument the best offensive lineman in recent years from each program has been a player from the state of Michigan. At WMU, Taylor Moton (6-5, 290, Carolina Panthers current starting offensive tackle, Okemos HS), is a standout, while at CMU, the aforementioned Fisher (Kansas City starting tackle and former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft), is a star. Over at U-M, Jake Long (6-7, 320, former No. 1 overall selection in the 2008 NFL draft, four-time Pro Bowl pick, first-team All-Pro, played from 2008 through 2016 for Dolphins, Rams, Falcons and Vikings, Lapeer East HS), is one of the greatest ever from the Great Lakes State, while at EMU, T.J. Lang (6-4, 315, two-time Pro Bowl pick, Super Bowl champion, played from 2009 through 2018 for Packers and Lions, Birmingham Brother Rice HS), was one of the NFL's elite offensive guards during his playing days and at MSU, the aforementioned Conklin (Tennessee starting tackle, first round draft pick and first-team All-Pro selection), is currently one of the NFL's best.

On a side note, Andrew Wylie (6-6, 310, EMU. Midland HS) started for the Chiefs all season this year at offensive guard before an injury sidelined him. Along with Lang, Wylie is one of the Eagles' greatest offensive linemen in recent memory. Why Eastern's entire O-line isn't stacked with state of Michigan talent is beyond me.

Anyhow, I'll step off of my soapbox for now. It's just amazing to me when I see our five D-I playing football programs without a dominant state of Michigan presence on each of their O-lines every season. I just shake my head...

Speaking of dominant offensive line presence, the class of 2021 in the state of Michigan is absolutely stacked from top to bottom with O-line talent this upcoming season. Off the top of my head, there are at least 20 to 25 Big Ten-level offensive line prospects in the Great Lakes State for the class of 2021. This upcoming year's O-line class is one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory. I know the rest of the country recruits the state of Michigan hard for its high school football talent every year, but it's still no excuse for our five D-I-playing programs to not sign four or five O-linemen from the Great Lakes State every season -- especially this upcoming year.

Here are the Top 10 offensive line prospects for Michigan's class of 2021 --

1. Garrett Dellinger -6-6, 280-OT-OG- Clarkston-Will be four-year starter for one of the Midwest's top high school football programs. Outstanding athlete. Played hoops for Wolves' top-ranked basketball team. Has all the tools. Good feet, long arms, coordination, solid knee and waist bend and good strength. Verbal to LSU
2. Rocco Spindler-6-4, 290-OT-OG-Clarkston-Might be the best two-way player in the state of Michigan, if not the Midwest. Father Marc played defensive tackle in the NFL for the Detroit Lions. Like his father, Rocco is also a high-level D-Tackle prospect. Intense, physical and powerful, Spindler is a man among boys at times. Teams with Garrett Dellinger to form arguably the best 1-2 lineman combo in the nation. Verbal to Notre Dame
3. Giovanni El-Hadi-6-6, 285-OT-Sterling Heights Stevenson-Smooth, efficient offensive tackle for the Titans. Behind El-Hadi, Stevenson reached the Division 1 (big school) state semifinals last season. Long arms, excellent pass protector, but also a strong run-blocker for Titans. Verbal to U-M
4. Raheem Anderson-6-3, 285-C-Detroit Cass Tech-The state of Michigan's No. 1-ranked center prospect. When Anderson locks on to a defensive lineman, it's all over. A strong, bull of a young man, Anderson is also a top recruit along the defensive line. Verbal to U-M
5. Josh Thompson-6-4, 295-OG-C-Fenton-Maybe the most physical, powerful, road-grader of an offensive lineman in the Great Lakes State. Still raw, like most of these players, but Thompson's upside is off the charts. I love his size and brute strength. I see him being a 6-4, 320-pound beast of a center/guard at the next level. Verbal to Northwestern
6. Caleb Tiernan-6-8, 265-OT-Detroit Country Day-Incredible prospect. A bell-cow-type player on both sides of the line of scrimmage for Country Day, last year's Division 4 state runner-up. Good range, long arms, solid balance and a physical, intense nature have made Tiernan a Big Ten-level recruit. Verbal to Northwestern
7. Cole Pape-6-6, 315-OT-Delton-Kellogg-So unbelievably under-recruited. Will be a three-year starter for southwest Michigan program that has sent two linemen to Division I college football programs in the past few seasons. I love this kid's potential. A big, mean, small-town, farm-boy-type physical giant, Pape is also one of his area's top basketball players. Not just a big kid, Pape is an athlete with exceptional feet and coordination. His ceiling is as high or higher than any player on this list.
8. Terrence Enos Jr.-6-5, 310-OT-OG-Detroit Cass Tech-From one of the nation's top programs, Enos Jr. is a physical brute of an offensive lineman. I see him being 6-5, 330-pounds at the next level and playing inside as a run-blocker of the highest order. Verbal to Pittsburgh
9. Ramier Lewis-6-7, 295-OT-Belleville-A massive young man from one of the country's top programs. Raw, but has all the physical tools. After four or five years at a high-level college football program, Lewis could be playing on Sundays. U-M, Kansas, Iowa State, Kentucky offers
10. (tie) Dalton Dueweke-6-4, 290-OG-C-Utica Eisenhower-Physical, strong O-Lineman from suburban Detroit school. Plays some of the best competition each and every week the state of Michigan has to offer in the Macomb Area Conference, Dueweke would make a nice guard or center at the next level. Verbal to WMU, Michael McAninch-6-4, 295-OG-C-Jackson County Parma Western-I love this kid. Never stops. Good motor. Strong lean/bend and terrific run-blocker. Might be the best overall run-blocker of any offensive linemen in the state of Michigan. Named to the Jackson Citizen-Patriot Dream Team last season as a junior. Like Josh Thompson and Cole Pape, McAninch is highly under-recruited, in my opinion. It's baffling to me. Big Ten, where are you on this kid?

Other top offensive line prospects in Michigan's class of 2021 (this list is fluid and will be filled in with additional prospects as the year progresses) -- Brandon Honorable-6-7, 295-OT-Detroit King (Verbal to Pittsburgh), Davion Weatherspoon-6-2, 285-C-OG-Harper Woods (Verbal to Ohio), Carson Briggs-6-5, 270-OT-OG-Traverse City Central (Verbal to WMU), Charlie Sims-6-5, 320-OG-Detroit Cass Tech (Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri offers), Weston Jones-6-5, 265-OT-Romeo (Verbal to Brigham Young), Carter DeGraaf-6-5, 290-OT-OG-Hudsonville (CMU, WMU offers), Carter Cushman-6-4, 250-OT-Plainwell, Kyle Main-6-4, 285-OT-Frankenmuth, Brayden Swartout-6-7, 285-OT-Essexville-Garber (Verbal to CMU), Ethan Boyd-6-7, 285-OT-East Lansing (Verbal to Michigan State), Walker Martin-6-2, 280-C-Montague (Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team), Lucas Edgar-6-2, 280-OG-C-Davison (Flint Journal Dream Team), Max Munn-6-5, 265-OT-Ludington, Matt Valleries-6-5, 325-OT-Walled Lake Western, Conner Compton-6-4, 290-OT-Lake Orion, Jonathan Scott-6-3, 325-OG-Detroit Mumford, Alex Lanzon-6-3, 285-OG-C-Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (will be three-year starter for Division 1 powerhouse program), Ben Simmons-6-6, 240-OT-Birmingham Groves, Trevor Jones-6-4, 265-OG-Ypsilanti Lincoln (Verbal to CMU), Tayvid Elmore-6-1, 280-OG-C-Muskegon (Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team), Logan Fuller-6-5, 305-OT-Hudson, Will Felts-6-3, 280-C-Clinton, Jackson Marsh-6-4, 290-OT-Sand Creek, Dalton Hart-6-1, 280-C-Jackson Lumen Christi, Josh Kipp-6-3, 265-OT-OG-Coleman (Midland Daily News Dream Team selection, one of northern Michigan's top prospects), Grant Porter-6-4, 295-OG-C-Howell (350 bench, 5.2 40), Ben Haas-6-4, 250-OG-Clarkston, Landon VanBeek-6-5, 230-OT-Grand Haven (Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team), Jalen Johnson-6-3, 310-OG-River Rouge (Verbal to Ball State), Chance Moore-6-4, 315-OT-River Rouge (Verbal to Morgan State), -- **the following players are two-way big-time D-I prospects who could play on either side of the ball at the next level -- they are in my Top 10 for defensive line in Michigan** -- Damon Payne-6-4, 295-OG-DT-Belleville (Verbal to Alabama), Derrick Harmon-6-3, 320-OG-DT-Detroit Loyola (Verbal to Michigan State), RuQuan Buckley-6-6, 260-OT-DE-Wyoming Godwin Heights (U-M, Iowa State, Florida State, Kentucky, Nebraska offers), Kyle Fugedi-6-6, 270-OT-DE-Livonia Franklin (Verbal to Miami (OH)), Caleb Banks-6-6, 255-OT-DE-Southfield A & T (Verbal to Arizona State), Rayshaun Benny-6-5, 270-OT-DE-Oak Park (MSU, U-M, LSU, Ohio State, Auburn, Texas A & M, Iowa, Florida State, Oregon, Purdue, Arkansas, Nebraska offers).

PHOTO -- Detroit Cass Tech junior Raheem Anderson (6-foot-3, 285 pounds) is the No. 4-ranked offensive line prospect overall and the No. 1 center prospect for the state of Michigan's class of 2021. Anderson is also a big-time defensive tackle recruit. Verbal to U-M.

PHOTO -- Clarkston junior Garrett Dellinger (6-foot-6, 280 pounds) is the state of Michigan's No. 1-ranked offensive line prospect for the class of 2021. Dellinger, also a skilled basketball player, is an all-around athlete and one of the top O-line recruits in the nation. Verbal to LSU.

PHOTO -- Detroit Country Day junior offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan (6-foot-8, 265 pounds) is a towering presence on both sides of the football for the Yellowjackets. Tiernan, who helped lead Country Day to a Division 4 state runner-up finish last season, is the No. 6-ranked offensive line prospect for Michigan's class of 2021. Verbal to Northwestern.

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.

Michigan's Top 10 Linebacker Recruits for the Class of 2019

Once again, the state of Michigan is loaded with linebacker studs either at the inside or outside positions. Michigan's class of 2019 crop of linebackers is dripping with talent from all over the Great Lakes State. From the Upper Peninsula, to the Lake Michigan coastline, to the urban streets of Detroit, the state of Michigan is a must-visit for any resourceful, hard-working Division I college football coach or recruiter looking for impact players at the linebacker spot. Here are the Great Lakes State's top 10 linebacker prospects for the class of 2019 --

Michigan's Top 10 Linebacker Prospects for the Class of 2019 (all are D-I recruits) -- 

1. Jaren Mangham-6-2, 225-MLB-Detroit Cass Tech -- Arguably one of the best two-way prospects in the country, Mangham is also my No. 1-ranked RB recruit for the state of Michigan. I believe if he played LB at the next level he'd be a superstar. But, he's also a game-breaker at RB for the national powerhouse Technicians. A complete football player, Mangham has 4.5 40 speed. Verbal to Colorado. 
2. Lance Dixon-6-2, 210-OLB-West Bloomfield -- A true difference-maker from the linebacker position, Dixon is one of the top players in the Midwest, if not the nation. Blazing fast, Dixon runs a 4.5 40 and finished seventh in the Division 1 (big school) track and field state meet last June in the 200 meters with a time of 22.03. Verbal to Penn State.
3. Ali'Vonta Wallace-6-1, 230-MLB-Muskegon -- I love this kid. A three-year starter for one of the Midwest's top programs, Wallace is seemingly everywhere on the football field. He makes tackles from sideline-to-sideline, using his speed and natural instincts, Wallace is one of the finest overall players in the state of Michigan. Toledo, CMU, WMU, Alabama A & M, EMU offers. Big Ten, where are you on this guy? Kentucky? Pitt? Tennessee?
4. Jacob Wahlberg-6-4, 225-OLB-Muskegon Mona Shores -- Three-year starter for west Michigan power program. With long strides and good speed, Wahlberg is a top-flight athlete. Also a TE prospect, Wahlberg is Big Ten-level, but will play in the MAC. Verbal to WMU.
5. Marcel Lewis-6-1, 220-OLB-Clinton Township Chippewa Valley -- Instinctive, natural football player for suburban Detroit school Chippewa Valley. Running a 4.6 40, Lewis makes plays all over the field for the Big Reds. Verbal to Michigan State. 
6. Marvin Ham-6-2, 225-MLB-Belleville -- Ham is a standout defensive player for a Belleville squad full of high-level D-I recruits. Intense and fast, Ham hits like a freight train. Runs a 4.6 40. Verbal to Boston College. 
7. Boone Bonnema-6-3, 215-OLB-Zeeland East -- Holland Sentinel Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, Bonnema is an outstanding all-around football player. Besides being a tackling machine at linebacker for Zeeland East, Bonnema is also a skilled HB-TE on offense. Last season, he had 103 tackles, including 16 TFL and two blocked punts. Verbal to WMU.
8. Brock Horne-6-2, 225-MLB-Romeo -- An old-school middle linebacker, Horne is a hard-hitting, sure tackler for Romeo, a large school in Detroit's northern suburbs. A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Horne is a high-level D-I recruit. Iowa State, Princeton, Harvard, Dartmouth, Bowling Green State, Buffalo, CMU offers.
9. Leonard Henry-6-4, 215-OLB-Grand Blanc -- A physical, rugged player at LB for the Flint-area Bobcats, Henry is an imposing physical specimen on the football field. Long and lengthy with good speed, Henry is a guy I project to 6-4, 230 at the next level. Cincinnati offer.
10. (tie)  Logan Guthrie-6-2, 220-OLB-Alpena -- Super-athletic two-way star for Alpena. One of northern Michigan's top D-I prospects, Guthrie runs a 4.6 40. Verbal to CMU. Luke Terrian-6-3, 220-OLB-Kingsford -- Named to the Upper Peninsula Dream Team as a junior, Terrian is my No. 2-ranked overall prospect in the Upper Peninsula and the top-ranked LB recruit above the Mackinac Bridge. Also Kingsford's QB, Terrian is a three-sport star, standing out also in basketball and baseball for the Flivvers. Maurice Hutchinson-6-2, 215-MLB-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian -- A bit of a sleeper in Michigan, Hutchinson is the best player out of suburban Detroit's Parkway Christian since the late RB Zurlon Tipton (CMU, NFL). A big-time thumper from the linebacker position, Hutchinson is also a powerful, bruising running back. A definite high-level D-I recruit, Hutchinson could play either LB or RB at the next level.

Other Top Linebacker Prospects for Michigan's Class of 2019 (all are D-I recruits) --
Micah Cretsinger-6-1, 225-OLB-Jackson (tough to keep out of the Top 10, combines size and speed and is a high-level D-I prospect), Traven Van Oss-6-0, 210-MLB-Three Rivers (runs a 4.6 40, four-year starter, 315 bench press, 55 tackles, 13 TFL, two sacks last year), James Ester-6-3, 230-MLB-Detroit Cass Tech, Devin Nicholson-6-3, 210-OLB-Detroit Cass Tech (Verbal to EMU), Odin Soffredine-6-1, 210-MLB-Traverse City Central, Hugh Brand-6-3, 235-OLB-Harrison, Clarence Gasket-6-0, 210-OLB-Orchard Lake St. Mary's, Rich Miller-6-1, 215-MLB-Detroit King (Detroit News first team All-Detroit last year, 69 tackles, 10 TFL last season as junior, Verbal to Buffalo), Dayone Smith-6-1, 235-MLB-Detroit Western (Detroit News second team All-Detroit as junior), Devin Campbell-6-1, 220-MLB-Warren DeLaSalle (Detroit News first team All-East as junior, 81 tackles last year, helped lead DeLaSalle to D-2 state championship last season), Timmy Eising-6-2, 220-OLB-Berrien Springs, Bryce Pelko-6-4, 215-OLB-Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (also talented TE prospect, top hoops player, as well), James Miller-6-1, 220-MLB-Gaylord, Curtis Vogel-6-0, 220-MLB-Deckerville (AP 8-man All-State first team as junior, 99 tackles, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception, led Deckerville to 8-man Division 1 state runner-up spot last season), Miles Mcleod-6-1, 210-MLB--Lake City, Boomer Perry-5-11, 205-MLB-Michigan Center (four-year varsity player), Ross Bolman-6-1, 215-MLB-Zeeland West (Holland Sentinel All-Area as junior, 16 TFL last season), Matt Bilski-5-10, 215-MLB-Grand Rapids West Catholic, Aiden Tate-6-0, 230-MLB-Ann Arbor Skyline (three-year starter, 325 squat, 225 bench press), Nate Stone-6-2, 220-MLB-Frankenmuth, Ricky Williamson-6-0, 215-OLB-Carrollton, Jeremiah Major-6-1, 245-MLB-Macomb Dakota, Garrett Plate-6-2, 220-MLB-Jackson County Parma Western, Ben Zardus-6-2, 215-MLB-Birmingham Brother Rice.

PHOTO -- West Bloomfield's Lance Dixon (6-2, 210) is the No. 2-ranked linebacker prospect in the state of Michigan for the class of 2019. With 4.5 speed and a nonstop motor, Dixon helped lead the Lakers to a Division 1 state runner-up finish last season. Dixon is verbally committed to Penn State. Photo by Tanya Moutzalias/MLive.com.