In-state top 75; 2011/2012 Watchlists included

Submitted by likwid on
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.

Comments

me

August 6th, 2009 at 11:29 PM ^

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.

Joined: 12/26/2008

MGoPoints: 2309

likwid

August 6th, 2009 at 11:32 PM ^

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.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 28

me

August 6th, 2009 at 11:42 PM ^

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?

Joined: 12/26/2008

MGoPoints: 2309

likwid

August 6th, 2009 at 11:54 PM ^

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.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 28

jtmc33

August 6th, 2009 at 11:30 PM ^

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?

Joined: 04/15/2009

MGoPoints: 10052

likwid

August 6th, 2009 at 11:34 PM ^

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.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 28

ronmexico

August 7th, 2009 at 9:35 AM ^

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.

Joined: 11/19/2008

MGoPoints: 455

Irish

August 6th, 2009 at 11:33 PM ^

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

Joined: 06/05/2009

MGoPoints: 3696

DFRoweJR

August 6th, 2009 at 11:45 PM ^

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!

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 6

Ike

August 7th, 2009 at 1:59 AM ^

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.

Joined: 02/08/2009

MGoPoints: 107

marvel99

August 7th, 2009 at 9:51 AM ^

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!!

Joined: 06/16/2009

MGoPoints: 25

likwid

August 7th, 2009 at 10:03 AM ^

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...

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 28