Most talented in-state football programs?

Submitted by Magnus on May 31st, 2019 at 9:30 AM

I'm not meaning this to turn into a chance to brag about your high school back in the day, but what school(s) have been the best producers of football talent over the years?

Michigan just offered Kris Jenkins, Jr. from Olney (MD) Good Counsel, but his dad went to Belleville before going to Maryland and then the NFL. Belleville also produced Ian Gold, Devontae Dobbs, Julian Barnett, and a bunch of current (and former) big-time prospects (Andre Seldon, Damon Payne, etc.).

I know Cass Tech, King, Novi Catholic Central, and Farmington Hills Harrison have all produced a ton of talent, but what other schools would you put in the discussion?

BillyOcean

May 31st, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^

I gotta go with a smaller division school but Marine City always pumps out solid teams. You won't see many D1 players but those kids and that town lives for football

BillyOcean

May 31st, 2019 at 9:32 AM ^

I gotta go with a smaller division school but Marine City always pumps out solid teams. You won't see many D1 players but those kids and that town lives for football

RAH

May 31st, 2019 at 3:18 PM ^

Going back a ways in Muskegon but I can think of some pretty great names: Benny Oosterbaan, Jack Weisenberger, (two of the most elite names in U of M football history) Earl Morrall, Jim Morse, Bobby Morse, Dave Whitsell, Frank Howell, Ossie McCarty, Jay Achterhoff, Eric Van Camp, Rob Renes, ...

vinegar strokes

May 31st, 2019 at 12:07 PM ^

Really? Nobody from the west side of the state? Willie Snead, Kirk Cousins, David Harris, Joe Staley, Jared Veldheer, Kavon Frazier, Ben Braden and I’m sure a few more from West Mi that have all recently played in the NFL. Also, A LOT more from West MI that have at least played D1. 

Yes, the east side of the state produces more talent, but the population on the east side is also much higher than the west side. 

1VaBlue1

May 31st, 2019 at 9:36 AM ^

Saginaw High, before it closed/merged with Arthur Hill, put out a lot of talent.  Most of it was basketball talent, but some good football players, too (specifically Lamarr Woodley).  The Saginaw area has been a pretty good bball city for a long time, with some occasional D1 football players.

1VaBlue1

May 31st, 2019 at 11:26 AM ^

They didn't merge?  Huh, go figure...  I had heard a few years back that merging them was the plan, so I just assumed it was done by now.  At the time, I figured that it wouldn't be a good merge - two very different schools in very different locations.  I should've known to verify the veracity of my commenting!

buckeyejonross

May 31st, 2019 at 9:37 AM ^

I graduated from Clarkston in 2009, and since then, they've won state in football and basketball a combined 5 times, and produce D1 talent in both all of a sudden. No idea where that was when I was there.

Logan_Howlett

May 31st, 2019 at 9:41 AM ^

In Macomb County we have several good programs like Macomb Dakota, Sterling Heights Stevenson, Utica Eisenhower, Warren De La Salle. Many of their athletes are Division 2 types or low Division 1, but they are good programs none the less. 

DrMantisToboggan

May 31st, 2019 at 9:42 AM ^

West Bloomfield is becoming that level. Lance Dixon last year, Makari Paige and Cornell Wheeler this year, Donovan Edwards next year. They’re a multiple P5 athlete per year school now.