In-state top 75; 2011/2012 Watchlists included

By likwid — August 6th, 2009 at 11:13 PM — 29 comments
I've been following high school football and recruiting on a statewide level for quite awhile now. The following lists were compiled by my observations on players I've seen in front of me, heard multiple coaches recommend, viewed game tape from, or viewed highlights from -- as well as performances at assorted camps and combines.


2010 In-State Top 75




1. Devin Gardner | QB
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI
Committed to Michigan


2. William Gholston | DE/OLB
Southeastern HS | Detroit, MI
Committed to Michigan State

3. CJ Olaniyan | DE
Mott HS | Warren, MI
Committed to Penn State

4. Robert Bolden | QB
St. Mary's HS | Orchard Lake, MI
Committed to Penn State

5. Dior Mathis | CB
Cass Tech HS | Detroit, MI
Uncommitted

Notes: Mathis remains the top uncommitted in-state prospect.

6. Austin White | RB
Stevenson HS | Livonia, MI
Committed to Michigan

7. Max Bullough | LB
St. Francis HS | Traverse City, MI
Committed to Michigan State

8. Ricardo Miller | WR
Pioneer HS | Ann Arbor, MI
Comitted to Michigan

9. Nick Hill | RB
Chelsea HS | Chelsea, MI
Committed to Michigan State

Notes: Leads the state of Michigan with 25 rushing touchdowns

10. Jeremy Jackson | WR
Huron HS | Ann Arbor, MI
Committed to Michigan

11. Matt Zakrzewski | OLB
St. Francis HS | Traverse City, MI
Committed to Indiana

12. Mylan Hicks | CB
Renaissance HS | Detroit, MI
Committed to Michigan State

13. Joe Boisture | QB
Saline HS | Saline, MI
Committed to Michigan State

Notes: Seems to be struggling during his senior year, his first at Saline, with 9 touchdowns to 8 interceptions.

14. Jonathon Hankins | DT
Southeastern HS | Detroit, MI
Uncommitted

16. Austin Gray | LB
Fitzgerald HS | Warren, MI
Committed to Iowa

15. Daniel Easterly | S/OLB
Cass Technical HS | Detroit, MI
Committed to Illinois

Notes: Easterly is one of the nation's most versatile prospects and could project to as many as four positions at the college level.



16. Austin Gray | LB
Fitzgerald HS | Warren, MI
Committed to Iowa

17. Tony Jones | WR
Grand Blanc Community HS | Grand Blanc, MI
Committed to Northwestern

Notes: Has 46 catches for Grand Blanc thus far into the year.

18. Carl Davis | DT
Stevenson HS | Sterling Heights, MI
Committed to Iowa

19. Cody Kater | QB
Montague HS | Montague, MI
Committed to CMU

Notes: The Montague QB checks in as Central Michigan's top commitment.

20. Tyler Calero | DE
Southfield Christian HS | Southfield, MI
Committed to Michigan State

21. Tony Lippett | WR
Crockett Vocational | Detroit, MI
Committed to Michigan State

22. Andy Phillips | DL
Waverly Sr HS | Lansing, MI
Committed to CMU

23. Mike Sadler | P
Forest Hills Northern HS | Grand Rapids, MI
Committed to Michigan State

24. Earnest Thomas | OLB/S
St. Mary's HS | Orchard Lake, MI
Committed to UCLA

25. Baquer Sayed | WR
Fordson HS | Dearborn, MI
Uncommitted

26. Paul Jorgenson | OT
Dewitt HS | DeWitt, MI
Committed to Northwestern

Notes: The developing offensive tackle picked the Wildcats of Northwestern over offers from Stanford, Duke, Michigan State, Illinois, and Cincinnati.


27. Ishmael Thomas | OLB
Renaissance HS | Detroit, MI
Committed to Indiana

28. Martez Kelly | WR
Mott HS | Warren, MI

29. Bill Ivan | OT
Charlevoix HS | Charlevoix, MI
Committed to Indiana

30. Kent King | OL
Gladstone HS | Gladstone, MI
Committed to CMU

31. Nores Fradi | LB
Dearborn HS | Dearborn, MI
Committed to CMU

32. Justin Ford | S
Kenowa Hills HS | Grand Rapids, MI
Committed to BGSU

Notes: The state's top pure safety is found at number 31.


33. Kevonte Martin-Manley | ATH
Brother Rice HS | Bloomfield Hills, MI

34. Nathan Lindsey | ATH
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI

35. Daniel Lindsey | ATH
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI

36. Tiaan De Nysschen | LB
Lahser HS | Bloomfield Hills, MI

37. Marcus Beaurem | WR
Stevenson HS | Sterling Heights, MI

38. Tremondae Branch | DT/DE
Carman Ainsworth HS | Flint, MI

39. Jonathon Taylor | WR
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI
Committed to CMU

40. Phillip Galloway | TE
Shrine HS | Detroit, MI

41. Christopher Devezin | DL
Cass Tech HS | Detroit, MI

42. Chad Davis | QB
Groves HS | Beverly Hills, MI

Notes: With a offer from Syracuse, the Orange believe they have found a sleeper in Davis

43. Greg Hayes | WR
Saginaw HS | Saginaw, MI

44. Vo Zanders | ATH
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI

45. Brandon Banks | WR
Southwestern School | Detroit, MI

46. Wayne Pettus | ATH
Melvindale HS | Detroit, MI

47. Chris Robinson | RB
Ovid Elsie HS | Elsie, MI

48. Matt Rea | LB
Rochester Adams HS | Rochester Hills, MI

49. DJ Lynch | LB
Avondale HS | Auburn Hills, MI

50. Colin Voss | TE
EGR HS | East Grand Rapids, MI

Notes: Voss, at a towering 6-foot-8, is also a top basketball prospect in the state.

51. Jason Ray | LB
Country Day HS | West Bloomfield, MI

52. Taurean Jackson | QB
Sexton HS | Lansing, MI

53. Garrett Davis | OL
Willow Run HS | Ypsilanti, MI

54. Steven Bell | S
Cooley HS | Detroit, MI

55. Jason Fracassa | QB
Stevenson HS | Sterling Heights, MI

Notes: The record breaking quarterback is also a valued baseball prospect, with interest from USC and Kentucky

56. Dionte Savage | OL/DL
Southwestern Academy | Flint, MI

57. Terrence Moore | QB/ATH
Ypsilanti HS | Ypsilanti, MI

58. Brandis Yarrington | CB
Pioneer HS | Ann Arbor, MI

59. Chris Eddins | DT
Country Day HS | Detroit, MI

60. Edward Thomas | ATH
Southeastern HS | Detroit, MI

Notes: Listed here as an athlete, Thomas is the starting quarterback for the Jungaleers.

61. Tyler Lombardo | LB
L'anse Creuse HS | Harrison Township, MI

62. Paul Mudgett | K
Rockford HS | Rockford, MI

63. DJ Mershman | WR
Stevenson HS | Sterling Heights, MI

64. Jarhaur Jackson | OL
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI

65. Collin Hochberg | QB
South Lyon East HS | South Lyon, MI

Notes: College scouts are looking at Hochberg as an athlete.

66. Terence Stevens | RB
Inkster HS | Detroit, MI

67. Montrel Robinson | WR
Lathrup HS | Southfield, MI

68. Ed Merhi | OL
Salem HS | Canton, MI

69. Desmond Roberts | ATH
Romulus HS | Romulus, MI

70. Chris Johnson | WR
Truman HS | Taylor, MI

71. Joe Wirth | DE
Eisenhower HS | Utica, MI
Committed to CMU

72. Gabe Martin | LB
Grand Blanc HS | Grand Blanc, MI
Committed to BGSU

Notes: Martin plays on a very talented Grand Blanc team, with tons of senior and junior talent.

73. Joe Stefanski | LB
Rockford HS | Rockford, MI

74. Mason Krysinski | K
Eisenhower HS | Shelby Township, MI

75. Niko Palzeti | FB/LB
Catholic Central HS | Novi, MI



2011 Watchlist

Justice Hayes | RB
Grand Blanc HS | Grand Blanc, MI

Anthony Zettel | OL
Ogemaw Heights HS | West Branch, MI

Ashton Gaines | ATH
Crockett HS | Detroit, MI

Delonte Hollowell | DB
Cass Tech HS | Detroit, MI

Kishon Wilcher | DB/RB
Cass Tech HS | Detroit, MI

Dwight Trammer | LB
Inskter HS | Inkster, MI

DeAnthony Arnett | WR
Saginaw HS | Saginaw, MI

Jimmy Pickens | DB
Brother Rice HS | Birmingham, MI

Conor Hart | TE/DE
Brother Rice HS | Birmingham, MI

Tim Hamilton | LB
Brother Rice HS | Birmingham, MI

Percy Johnson | ATH
Madison HS | Madison Heights, MI

Lawrence Thomas | LB
Renaissance HS | Detroit, MI

Jamel Abrams | ATH
Marine City HS | Marine City, MI

Blake Blackwell | WR
Cass Tech HS | Detroit, MI

Anthony Johnson | ATH
Parkway HS | Sterling Heights, MI

Ryan Griffin | S
Pioneer HS | Ann Arbor, MI

Taiwan Jones | ATH
Anchor Bay HS | New Baltimore, MI

Jeron Clayton | RB
Pioneer HS | Ann Arbor, MI

Valdez Showers | ATH
Madison HS | Madison Heights, MI

Donavon Lindsay | S
Inkster HS | Inkster, MI

Justin Means | RB
Muskegon HS | Muskegon, MI

Bryan Bell | OL
Walled Lake Northern HS | Commerce Township, MI

Bryce Hall | OL
Melvindale HS | Melvindale, MI

Ryan Morley | QB
Grand Blanc HS | Grand Blanc, MI

Kyle Brindza | K
Plymouth HS | Canton, MI

Willie Snead IV | WR
Muskegon Heights HS | Muskegon, MI

Notes: The top prospect in the 2011 class remains to project as Lawrence Thomas. Thomas recently stated that he grew up a Michigan fan, but still remains a Michigan State lean because of the former Renaissance players on the Spartan football team.



2012 Watchlist

Marquise Wallace - Inkster - Inkster (MI) - OL
Matthew Godin - Catholic Central - Novi (MI) - DL
Mercedes Williamson - Crockett - Detroit (MI) - DB
Terry Richardson - Cass Tech - Detroit (MI) - CB
Darryl Goldsmith - Cass Tech - Detroit (MI) - OL
Royce Jenkins - Cass Tech - Detroit (MI) - LB
Brian Blackburn - Cousino - Warren (MI) - QB
James Ross - St. Mary's - Orchard Lake (MI) - LB
Danny Larkin - Madison - Madison Heights (MI) - WR
Sean Charette - Lake Orion HS - Oakland Township (MI) - QB
Dennis Norfleet - King HS _ Detroit (MI) - RB

I'd watch Dennis Norfleet, a top point guard and running back prospect for 2012. As well as James Ross from OLSM.

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August 6th, 2009 at 11:22 PM | Great work. (Score:1)
cpt20
Joined: 11/02/2008
MGoPoints: 402

Great work.

August 6th, 2009 at 11:29 PM | Matt Zakrzewski (Score:1)
me
me's picture
Joined: 12/26/2008
MGoPoints: 2264

Is committed to Indiana, fwiw. I was actually hoping that UM would pick him up late in the process, maybe there's still a chance.

And very nice work on a good list.

EDIT: Delonte Hollowell is at Cass Tech. On second thought I think I read he is transferring, which is probably why you have no High School listed.

August 6th, 2009 at 11:32 PM | You would be correct (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

I just copy and pasted all this stuff from my blog, which isn't really a blog as much as it is to check how the stuff transfers when I post it online. I had updated my list right before he committed.

Zakrzewski is a player I'm very high on. Seeing him in a couple games in the playoffs -- he showed a lot. He and Bullough are very good players. Zakrzewski is going to be a stud OLB in the future for the Hoosiers. Last year he had something like 98 tackles and 7 INTs. While Bullough is the model of consistency for a defense, making the tackles you expect consistently -- Zakrzewski is the playmaker.

August 6th, 2009 at 11:42 PM | From what I gather (Score:1)
me
me's picture
Joined: 12/26/2008
MGoPoints: 2264

he did pretty well at UM camp too. Not quite good enough to earn an offer right away but good enough to require monitoring through the year. Do you think he could fit in as a ILB or do you see him strictly as an OLB?

August 6th, 2009 at 11:54 PM | Either one (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

He could be an instant impact guy as a freshman at OLB, but you are definitely looking at a redshirt for him if you want him to play inside.

Granted, he still has a year of high school football left and a year to bulk up to potentially play inside some.

August 6th, 2009 at 11:29 PM | I think Gholston wanting to (Score:1)
dinkmctip
dinkmctip's picture
Joined: 11/05/2008
MGoPoints: 248

I think Gholston wanting to play linebacker is ridiculous, but he seems pretty adamant.

August 6th, 2009 at 11:30 PM | West Michigan talent? (Score:1)
jtmc33
Joined: 04/15/2009
MGoPoints: 4781

Understanding that you put this list together with your personal observations... is West Michigan missing because a) You are not exposed to that side of the state and only talked of which you know; or b) there is very little talent and it is reflected in your rankings?

Class of '97: 4 Years -- 4 Four-loss seasons

August 6th, 2009 at 11:34 PM | Somewhere in between.... (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

by the rankings you can probably tell that I am stationed in the southeast part of the state.

Certainly the talent is also pretty well located in that part of the state as well.

Now if I were to make a list of the top coaches in the state though, many of them would hail from the West Side.

August 7th, 2009 at 9:35 AM | very true. being from grand (Score:1)
ronmexico
ronmexico's picture
Joined: 11/19/2008
MGoPoints: 452

very true. being from grand rapids there is some good talent, but even better coaching. Muskegon probably has the best talent on this side of the state. Many schools like Rockford, East GR, Lowell offer great talent, but individually can't hang with many of the east siders. All these schools have great coaches and run very disciplined programs.

August 10th, 2009 at 4:10 PM | Funny how the list is mostly (Score:1)
Coldwater
Joined: 12/14/2008
MGoPoints: 510

Funny how the list is mostly SE Michigan kids, yet West Michigan teams have won Many state championships in recent years. So that tells me, yes, top players come from West Michigan also.

August 6th, 2009 at 11:33 PM | Ohio is looking strong per (Score:1)
Irish
Irish's picture
Joined: 06/05/2009
MGoPoints: 3693

Ohio is looking strong per usual for the 2011 class, can't wait to see who gets written offers on Sept. 1st.

I can't say any of your current Mi list have crossed my computer yet but I am sure they will

Current Smug rating: "lethal"

August 6th, 2009 at 11:45 PM | Coke? (Score:1)
DFRoweJR
DFRoweJR's picture
Joined: 07/08/2008
MGoPoints: 4

Is this LikWidCoke from Sportsinferno.com fame? If so, good to see you putting in all your hard work on a great website like this with fans that will appriciate it! Sucks about you getting kicked off there if this is you. Mike Valenti is a total douche!

GO BLUE! HAIL TO THE VICTORS BABY!!!

"What we do in life echoes in eternity","Strength and Honor" - Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator)

"No sacrifice, no victory." - Transformers 2007

August 6th, 2009 at 11:48 PM | Not many other people... (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

go by likwid on the internet... do they? ;)

August 6th, 2009 at 11:56 PM | good to hear. keep up the (Score:1)
DFRoweJR
DFRoweJR's picture
Joined: 07/08/2008
MGoPoints: 4

good to hear. keep up the good work man! F**K Valenti!

GO BLUE! HAIL TO THE VICTORS BABY!!!

"What we do in life echoes in eternity","Strength and Honor" - Maximus Decimus Meridius (Gladiator)

"No sacrifice, no victory." - Transformers 2007

August 7th, 2009 at 8:26 PM | Hi RowemanBlue50 (Score:1)
The Barwis Effect
The Barwis Effect's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 2001

...

"[T]here were a lot of people predicting glorious heights for Rich; mostly the same people who are predicting doom and gloom [for Hoke]. Excuse me if I doubt their prognostication skills." -- M-Wolverine

August 7th, 2009 at 12:19 AM | Take a look.... (Score:1)
TomVH
Joined: 10/21/2008
MGoPoints: 16633

Take a look at Shane Barron (2012) also. He plays for Carman-Ainsworth in Flint.

Jabri Dean, from Renaissance, too.

Tom VanHaaren I TomVH on Twitter I U Recruit I  Email

August 7th, 2009 at 1:59 AM | GB (Score:1)
Ike
Joined: 02/08/2009
MGoPoints: 107

Throughout high school, it always struck me how much talent Grand Blanc had. I was glad they never managed to make use of it. Good to see some Flint area guys getting some recognition though.

August 7th, 2009 at 2:35 AM | Based on Inkster's individual talent (Score:1)
MinorforPresident
Joined: 11/01/2008
MGoPoints: 52

They should be a dynamic team once again, they have a ton of guys rated. Definitely going to try and catch a game or two of theirs this year.

August 7th, 2009 at 10:03 AM | Their schedule... (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

is pretty trying, but they've got a lot of potential at a lot of positions. They should be very strong offensively -- have to wait and see on the defense though.

August 7th, 2009 at 3:56 AM | Great Job. love the post. (Score:1)
Drake
Drake's picture
Joined: 07/30/2009
MGoPoints: 5

Great Job. love the post. I cant believe how loaded Cass Tech has been in the past few years. DAMN!

I routinely +1 myself in memory of em0, may he RIP
Midnight Maize I Twitter I Facebook

August 7th, 2009 at 9:51 AM | Appreciated (Score:1)
marvel99
Joined: 06/16/2009
MGoPoints: 25

Your hard work is definitely appreciated.

But I've always wondered about bloggers such as yourself who travel around and look at future recruits...are you a paid scout for a team or something?? Or do you just do it for your own personal pleasure? I just think it would get expensive, with gas and all.

Whatever the reason, keep it up!! It makes for a fun and interesting read.

Thanks!!

"You as a Michigan Man, are part of something that's BIGGER than you are. And if you don't understand that, then you don't understand what it is"

--Lloyd Carr

August 7th, 2009 at 10:03 AM | Locally (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

I do get out and see games/specific recruits, but the majority of the kids on the list were evaluated with highlights/tape, which was available on Rivals/Scout/YouTube/AthleteVault/Metacafe/any variety of website...

August 7th, 2009 at 11:14 AM | Hollowell plays for Cass (Score:1)
Tim
Joined: 07/08/2008
MGoPoints: 12640

Hollowell plays for Cass Tech. At this time, I think Ross is still projecting as an LB.

Yeastbound and Down

Great Lax State

August 7th, 2009 at 2:46 PM | ps (Score:1)
hailtothevictors08
hailtothevictors08's picture
Joined: 06/11/2009
MGoPoints: 833

great work

Just Win Baby

August 7th, 2009 at 2:45 PM | omg were getting dominated (Score:1)
hailtothevictors08
hailtothevictors08's picture
Joined: 06/11/2009
MGoPoints: 833

top qb, wr, and rb and 3 out of the top 5 committed instate ... this is unacceptable and clearly godantiono is dominating us

Just Win Baby

August 9th, 2009 at 3:28 PM | #74 Kicker from Ike (Score:1)
kickinginmi
Joined: 08/09/2009
MGoPoints: 0

Have you seen this kids ranking in Rivals #22, Sailer Kicking #28, Kohls Kicking #24, Kornblue #9. Check out www.masonkrysinski.com and look at film for both Punting and Kicking.

August 10th, 2009 at 10:29 PM | Mason should... (Score:1)
likwid
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 0

end up on scholarship somewhere, eventually. Even if he has to walk-on, eventually he will be a scholarship kicker.

August 12th, 2009 at 12:33 PM | i have a friend classmate on (Score:1)
mds315
mds315's picture
Joined: 07/29/2009
MGoPoints: 319

i have a friend classmate on that list! im pretty much a celebrity.

January 18th, 2010 at 9:05 PM | James Ross #6 2012 LB OLSM 2009 Highlight Film LINKS (Score:1)
Detroit PAL Fan
Joined: 01/15/2010
MGoPoints: 0

James Ross #6 2012 LB OLSM 2009 Highlight Film LINKS

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUfvh67c6ZU

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjEs6voYfQ

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