KJ Hamler warms up. [Dave Nasternak/MGoBlog]

For this week's scouting post, Dave and I went out to Orchard Lake St. Mary's and their blood-red field to see four-star 2017 prospects KJ Hamler and Josh Ross, both of whom hold Michigan offers. OLSM took on Warren De La Salle in a matchup of defending state champions, though unfortunately DLS RB/CB Allen Stritzinger sat out due to injury.

Despite the absence of Stritzinger and standout linebacker Eric Rogers, De La Salle dominated; we exited the scene before the 31-8 score went final. While Hamler and Ross couldn't lead their team to victory, both showed flashes of their potential; in Hamler's case, one flash was especially bright:

We call him "Speedy Eaglet" for a reason.

[Hit THE JUMP for more video and scouting reports on Hamler and Ross.]

Video Highlights

Hamler is #1 in red and rather easy to pick out. Ross is #5 and also the linebacker who's larger than all the other linebackers.

2017 WR/CB KJ Hamler (M Offer)

Hamler was visibly frustrated for much of this game. He had good reason; OLSM stayed run-heavy in the first half, couldn't get Hamler the ball even when he got open—and he usually got open—and generally seemed like they were trying to waste their best offensive weapon. He was only targeted a few times, hauling in a shoestring grab for a short gain and drawing a defensive pass interference flag on a sharp comeback route.

He still impressed as a receiver. De La Salle kept a safety over the top of him and Hamler still managed to take the top off the defense a couple times; his quarterback either couldn't or wouldn't get him the ball deep down the field. Hamler runs great routes. He knows he's a major threat to go deep, so he'll quickly snap off routes after gaining a big head of steam—with his quick feet, he has no trouble gaining separation on his breaks. He's also got impressive ball skills; while he's undersized, he can go up and pluck passes out of the air, and he tracks the ball very well.

That showed up on defense, of course, with the spectacular interception, which featured Hamler staying right in the receiver's hip pocket on a double move before funneling him to the sideline and beating him out for the jump ball—a textbook play. De La Salle otherwise avoided him in the passing game. He recorded an impressive TFL on a read option keeper. In two games I've seen of him this year, he's looked like a very viable cornerback prospect; he's got speed to burn, plenty of quickness, and surprising physicality for a player of his size.

Even during a rough game for his team, Hamler continued to show why he should be in the conversation when talking about the state's best 2017 prospects.

2017 LB Josh Ross (M Offer)

I'm still waiting for Ross to put it all together. He's got a great frame and solid athleticism, but he's well behind where his older brother (James Ross, current M linebacker) was at this stage as a football player—James was more instinctual and never seemed to make a bad play, while Josh still has moments when he gets taken out of plays, not because of his physical talent, but because he can be hesitant.

He's getting stronger, which is encouraging. Ross had a pad-popping stop on the goal line and rocked the pile back on the next play (though DLS eked across the line). When he gets moving towards the ball, he's too much for most high school linemen to handle. Once he's flowing to the play he tracks the ball well and can make a big impact when he gets there. He forced a turnover when he ripped the ball out of a receiver's hands after a catch; his natural ability is easy to see.

I just didn't see it on a consistent basis. Ross found himself a gap or two away from the play far too often—too often to be by design. On more than one occasion he had to dive to try to make a tackle near the line of scrimmage; that worked once, and in the other instances De La Salle got chunk gains. A big issue is Ross still hasn't developed any moves to shed blocks; unless Ross had a lot of momentum going and could bash through a guy, once a lineman got his hands on Ross he was effectively neutralized. While his D-linemen could've done a better job keeping him clean, he needs to learn how to use his hands when he's engaged.

My evaluations of Ross have sounded harsh, so I should note that with his natural physical talent he appears worthy of the Michigan offer he's received. His issues are largely coachable, and if the switch is flipped his ceiling is very high—he's big, fast, and relatively fluid for an inside linebacker. I'd just like to see him make more of an impact on a down-to-down basis.