Friday Night Lights '09: Junior Wrapup

Last year at my old digs, I chronicled the weekly performances of Michigan commits in their final season of high school ball. That feature, Friday Night Lights, will make the move with me to MGoBlog. High school football news is not always so easy to come by, even in today's internet-centric world, so let me know if you have any additional information for any installment of the series.

MI QB Devin Gardner

By all accounts, Gardner is poised for a monstrous senior season. He's worked hard over the offseason on improving his ability to throw the ball, his conditioning should be at a peak, and his Inkster Vikings are expected to be one of the best teams in the state of Michigan.

There are a couple things that could hold him back: The Vikings play every single game on the road, including a couple trips to the Cleveland area, and another to Steubenville, Ohio (damn near in West Virginia). He also lost his #1 target from last year in current Wolverine Cameron Gordon. Still, look for excellent numbers from Devin in this space.

SC QB Cornelius Jones

Jones's season last year went poorly, as did his team's. However, Spartanburg should be one of the most improved in the area, and Jones will try to put up better numbers. In his second year under the current coaching staff, and Cornelius's second playing high school football, there's nowhere to go but up.

TX RB Stephen Hopkins

Hopkins, named one of the best players in the Dallas area, will try to build on a solid junior season and show that he is an elite player. However, he may make more of an impact defensively than carrying the rock.

TX RB Tony Drake

Drake has been a do-everything for Skyline. This year, he should be the starting RB after last year's starter moved on to Iowa State.

MI RB Austin White

White put up pretty good numbers last year, as he led Stevenson to the state semifinals before bowing out to eventual champion Rockford. The only thing that prevented him from getting ridiculous stats was a ton of blowouts. The Spartans should be a pretty strong team again, and White should have the opportunity to continue mixing long runs with steady production on the ground. Look for him to potentially flex out as a receiver more often this year, and hopefully contribute on defense.

MI WR Ricardo Miller

Miller moves from Orlando to Michigan, where he'll be a major boost to Pioneer's receiving corps. He'll be the #1 option for the Pioneers and should put up impressive statistics.

MI WR/TE Jeremy Jackson

Jackson's Huron River Rats are making the transition to a triple-option offense, which doesn't bode well for his receiving numbers. He is also changing positions (probably to tight end), so it remains to be seen what kind of statistics Jeremy will produce in '09.

OH WR Jerald Robinson

Robinson will play both ways for Canton South. Will he make a bigger impact at wide receiver or safety?

OH WR DJ Williamson

Williamson hasn't put up impressive numbers yet in his high school career. However, he has track star speed, and has one more year to impress onlookers.

LA Slot Drew Dileo

Dileo's Parkview Baptist team should be strong as always, and Dileo should perform well. He was the team's MVP last year.

OH OL Christian Pace

Pace helped Avon Lake run over opponents last year (to the tune of 200+ yards per game on the ground), and looks to repeat that performance in 2009. The Shoremen are the #8 team in Northeast Ohio heading into the 2009 season.

OH DT Terry Talbott

Talbott plays defensive tackle for Huber Heights, making statistics pretty hard to find for him. Huber Heights should field a pretty good team this year, though.

PA DE Jordan Paskorz

Paskorz is one of the lower-rated kids in Michigan's '10 class. He'll have his chance to prove the doubters wrong as a senior.

OH LB Antonio Kinard

Kinard played with current Wolverines Fitzgerald Toussaint and Isaiah Bell last year. Will he have a good year without them by his side? Kinard returned one fumble 92 yards for a touchdown, and had one 54-yard touchdown run and another for 70+ yards last year. Other information on him is difficult to find.

PA DE Ken Wilkins

Wilkins scored touchdowns on a 55-yard fumble return and a 26-yard blocked punt last year.

FL S Marvin Robinson

Robinson has played both safety and running back for Lake Region. He's been named Preseason 2nd-Team All-State.

OH CB Courtney Avery

Avery is primarily a roboQB for Lexington, though he was also an all-state cornerback last year. Michigan fans are likely more interested in his defensive exploits.

OH CB Terrence Talbott

Talbott is a pure corner for Wayne, who looks to have a big year with a number of junior and senior D-1 prospects.

Apologies for the inconsistent formatting. It will hopefully be much better during the course of the current season.