News and Announcements
Posted: 2006-08-24
Markowski - Top 20 Players
Tom Markowski / The Detroit News (8/24/2006)
All players listed are seniors
1 JOSEPH BARKSDALE, 6-6, 315, DT, DETROIT CASS TECH
Don't misunderstand Joseph Barksdale when he says he prefers playing defense to offense. Barksdale, a senior tackle from Detroit Cass Tech, gets a kick out of pushing opponents backward, making way for the running backs. And why not? He's 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, and has been a starter on offense since midway through his freshman season. It's just that playing defense fits his style. "You don't have to control your aggression," said Barksdale, who moves well (4.89 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and has tremendous upper body strength (bench presses 470 pounds, power cleans 300). "You get to do the hitting instead of taking the blows." And because of that "aggression" Barksdale has show, he's attracted the attention of several big-name schools -- Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, Southern California, Michigan, Michigan State and Miami, to name a few.2 RONALD JOHNSON, 6-0, 185, WR/DB, MUSKEGON
Johnson played three games last season before suffering a torn ACL. He set the school record for interceptions (9) as a sophomore. Committed to None; being recruited by Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC3 DIONTE ALLEN, 6-0, 175, DB/WR, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY'S
Last season, Allen averaged five tackles and had five interceptions. He averaged 28.5 yards on kickoff returns. "He has great ability to break and turn on the ball," coach George Porritt said. Committed to Florida State4 CHRIS COLASANTI, 6-2, 235, LB/FB, BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE
Colasanti averaged 11 tackles and had 10 tackles for loss in 2005. "He's a good one," coach Al Fracassa said. "We've had quite a few, and he's right up there with Steve Morrison (Michigan, Indianapolis Colts)." Committed to Penn State5 VINCE HELMUTH, 6-1, 235, RB/LB, SALINE
Helmuth played defensive line his sophomore and junior seasons. Helmuth, the two-time defending state champion in the discus, bench presses 390 pounds and his 40 time (4.72) is two-tenths of a second faster than last year. Committed to Michigan6 KEITH NICHOL, 6-2, 200, QB, LOWELL
Nichol led the Red Arrows to the Division 3 title as a sophomore and has improved. He has good mobility and is stronger than last season. Committed to Michigan State7 TAURIAN WASHINGTON, 6-1, 185, WR/DB, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY'S
Washington averaged 25 yards a catch last season and had seven touchdowns. "He's got great hands but it's that speed, the explosiveness after the catch," coach George Porritt said. Committed to Ohio State8 STEVE THREET, 6-6, 230, QB, ADRIAN
Threet threw for 1,800 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2005. "You won't out-work the young man," coach Phil Jacobs said. Committed to Georgia Tech9 CEDRIC EVERSON, 6-0, 170, WR/DB, DETROIT MUMFORD
Everson is the current 400-meter champion in Division 1. "His desire to win, in football and track, makes him so good," coach Bob Lynch said. Committed to None; being recruited by Florida, Georgia Tech, Miami, Michigan State, USC, UCLA10 MARK DELL, 6-1, 175, WR/DB, FARMINGTON HILLS HARRISON
Dell had 45 receptions for 938 yards last season and had six interceptions. Committed to None; being recruited by Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa11 DARRIS SAWTELLE, 6-5, 290, OT/DT, BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE
Sawtelle's grandfather, Darris McCord, played for the Lions in the 1960s. "He's got great technique," coach Al Fracassa said. "Our coaches here have done a great job with him. And, boy, does he have the size." Committed to Tennessee12 MARTELL WEBB, 6-4, 215, WR/LB, PONTIAC NORTHERN
Webb plays basketball, where he has attracted the most attention. "He needs to get bigger," coach Keith Stephens said. "He plays basketball so much. He's got a very good upside." Committed to Michigan13 DARRELL DAVIS- BUDANAURO, 6-5, 360, OT/DT, EAST GRAND RAPIDS
A transfer from Texas, coach Peter Stuursma said he'll rest his big lineman on defense. "He's just big," Stuursma said. " Heck, he's from Texas." Committed to Michigan State14 RYAN VANBERGEN, 6-5, 252, DE/TE, WHITEHALL
VanBergen plays basketball and was all state in track (shot put, discus). "He's got great size and he runs a sub-five second 40," coach Andy Malbouef said. Committed to Michigan15 GEORGE WHITE, 6-3, 255, LB/G, FLINT CARMAN-AINSWORTH
"He can move sideline to sideline," coach Jerry Parker said. "He has the knack of getting to the football, and he's physical when he gets there. He just worked his way to being a good player." Committed to Michigan State16 KELVIN GRADY, 5-11, 175, RB, EAST GRAND RAPIDS
A member of The News' Dream Team in 2005, Grady is the state's best running back. Last season, he rushed for 1,716 yards and averaged 10.4 yards per carry. "He has tremendous vision," coach Peter Stuursma said. Committed to Michigan (basketball)17 QUINCY LANDINGHAM, 6-0, 178, DB/RB, BLOOMFIELD HILLS LAHSER
Landingham, who runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds, had 180 yards rushing in the Division 3 regional final. "His burst is what really stands out," coach Dan Loria said. Committed to Michigan State18 JAMES ROGERS, 6-2, 185, WR/RB, MADISON HEIGHTS LAMPHERE
Recruited as a receiver, Rogers runs the 40 in 4.39 seconds and played mostly running back last season. He rushed for 1,320 yards and had 375 yards receiving in 2005. Committed to Michigan19 JUSTIN SILLER, 6-4, 210, QB, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY'S
Siller had 18 touchdowns and one interception, and averaged 11.5 yards per attempt in 2005. "He's worked hard in the weight room to get bigger," coach George Porritt said. "He's got moveability and throws well on the run." Committed to None; being recruited by Indiana, Louisville, Northwestern20 JOSH ROOKS, 6-5, 255, DE/TE, HOLLAND CHRISTIAN
Rooks "can flat-out run," coach Tim Lont said. "When you see someone with his size run that fast (4.8 in the 40) it's something special." Committed to None; being recruited by Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue