No, it’s not to see if players can dunk over the goal posts after scoring. The vertical jump is to test explosiveness, and is a great event for the smaller players to shine. Which makes the performance of Grand Rapids West Catholic junior pass-rush ace Mitchell Stanitzek that much more impressive, as at 6-4, 215 he is the largest player in the top 10. Another guy with good size and ups is Reed City junior Derek Lodholtz, second at 38 1/2″.

Vertical jump Top 10

1. William Brockman  6-1  165  Jr  ATH  Central Lake  39″
2. Derek Lodholtz  6-3  200  Jr  LB/TE  Reed City  38 1/2″
3. Mason Rosado 5-9 170 Jr RB/DB Holland 36″
4. Drew Marion 6-1 196 Jr QB Lake City 35 1/2″
5. Kyler Shurlow 6-1 195 Jr QB/DB Lowell 35″
Jawuan McGough 6-0 183 Jr DL/WR Muskegon 35″
6. Danny Bauder 5-9 180 Jr RB/DB Zeeland West 34″
7. Ethan Campbell 5-9 180 So RB Traverse City Central 33 1/2″
Zachary Shepard 6-0 172 Jr WR/DB Prairie Heights, Ind. 33 1/2″
9. Mitchell Stanitzek 6-4 215 Jr DL/LB/TE Grand Rapids West Catholic 33″
10. Dan Shoop 5-10 185 Jr RB/DB Muskegon Oakridge 32 1/2″
Devin Butler  6-1  175  So  WR/DB  Zeeland East  32 1/2

As they do for the Nike SPARQ scores, at the Lake Michigan Football Report’s March 17 combine the medicine ball toss was used as the strength component rather than bench press. Judging from the top 10 scores recorded at the Grand Rapids event, it’s hard to think of a test better representative of the top talent in attendance. There are D1 linemen on the list, naturally. There are also a couple of QBs, including fourth-place Drew Marion. The 6-1, 196 Lake City junior threw 39’4. Marion really helped himself, showing a superior physical profile to match his outrageous 2012 season, in which he rab or passed for 50 TDs. His vertical leap of 35 1/2″ was the second best at the combine, his pro-agility drill of 4.4 seconds tied him for third best, and he ran a 4.8-second 40. The event was won by a guy who plays some QB, too, Lowell junior Kyler Shurlow, who also partnered it by tying for third with a 35″ vertical.

Medicine Ball Top 10

1. Kyler Shurlow  6-1  195  Jr  QB/DB  Lowell  41’6
2. Kenneth Finley 6-3 270 Jr DL Muskegon 40’3
3. Logan Slaughter 6-5 248 So DL/OL Mendon 40’2
4. Kaleb Hauser 6-2 225 Jr  LB/RB Kalkaska 39’8
5. Drew Marion 6-1 196 Jr QB Lake City 39’4
6. Brett Miller  5-9  170  So  QB  Forest Hills Central  39’0
7. Troy Gotch 6-2 195 Jr OL/DL East Grand Rapids 38’9
8. Dan Shoop 5-10 185 Jr RB/DB Muskegon Oakridge 38’4
9. Tommy Roush 6-3 260 Fr OL/DL Petoskey 38’2
10. Alex Stevens 6-5 265 Jr OL Ogemaw Heights 38’1

Austin Gregory 6-0 190 So QB Ionia 38′

Zeeland West junior Danny Bauder was the 2012 O-K Green champion in both the 100 and 200 meters. So with those track bonafides, it wasn’t too surprising he blew away the field in the 40-yard dash at the Lake Michigan Football Report Combine held March 17 in Grand Rapids. He twice finished in 4.4 seconds, two-tenths ahead of the next fastest. Bauder the football player? Last fall he was a reserve running back for the Dux behind the potent triumvirate of Marcus Lambert, Jon Pung and Braden Werley. But he showed just how talented he was in Zeeland West’s playoff loss to state champion Grand Rapids Christian, when he ran 11 times for 159 yards, including TDs of 31, 73 and 23 yards.

4.4 seconds
Danny Bauder 5-9 180 Jr RB/DB Zeeland West

4.5 seconds
LaSavian Majewski  5-7  185  So  RB/WR  Grand Rapids West Catholic

4.59 seconds
Wyatt Batdorff  5-10  175  Jr  DB  Forest Hills Northern

4.6 seconds
Mitchell Coler 5-9 160 So RB/DB Mendon
Nate Couturier 5-10 140 So WR/DB Allendale
Eddie Kelly 6-0 195 So RB/DB Caledonia
Chase Lalla 5-10 182 So LB/RB Auburn Hills Avondale
Tristan Matthews 5-10 150 Jr RB/DB Grandville
Nolan Meekhof 6-0 200 Fr RB/LB Grandville
Seth Nyberg 6-1 170 Jr DB/WR Zeeland East
Colin Prominski 6-1  210  Jr WR/DB Ionia
Marcus Ramirez    5-8  145  Fr  RB/DB  Mongague
Mason Rosado 5-9 170 Jr RB/DB Holland
Zach Stephen 5-10 187 Jr RB McBain

Muskegon’s Kenneth Finley

Kenneth Finley spent considerable time in opponents’ offensive backfields during Muskegon’s state runner-up season. We’ll get a closer look at how he did it March 17 at the Lake Michigan Football Report’s combine in Grand Rapids. Finley is such a dangerous playmaker because he combines obvious physical tools at 6-3, 270 with the motor of an older player. The Lake Michigan area is deep with line talent in both 2014 and 15, with Finley part of a talented contingent that has already registered for the combine.Though he was one of only a couple juniors participating, the coaches considered Forest Hills Northern’s Jacob Howe the best lineman at our December camp.

“He is really quick off the edge and has great body lean,” the camps D-line coach said. “Jake has quick and explosive hands and kept his hands busy while pass rushing and made it really hard for the offensive linemen to get their hands on him.”

The 6-2, 240 junior had one of the most complete seasons in the Lake Michigan area, as a TD threat and KO blocker at fullback, stopper on the D line and … punter.

While Muskegon came up just short to Brother Rice in the D2 instant classic, Grand Rapids South Christian brought the hardware West in Division 4. The Sailors thrived with physical line play. A pair of their D ends will be at the combine. 6-4, 235 junior Todd Postma and 6-3, 230 sophomore Mitchell “Double Vision” Quakkelaar. Q flashed enough playmaking ability throughout South Christian’s playoff run to earn early top 10 consideration for 2015.

Anchoring the offensive side is a prospect that could really help himself. Between basketball (had a 20-20 game) and injuries, Ogemaw Heights 6-5, 265 junior Alec Stevens hasn’t been on the camp/combine circuit like a player of his potential typically would. On raw power and potential, he’s a top 10 junior in the entire state.

Like Finley, Mitch Stanitzek  played on a 2012 state runner-up. He’s a 6-4, 215 junior from Grand Rapids West Catholic. He missed most of the past season but was activated and made an impact in the state final. Stanitzek is one of the impact edge rushers for the 2014 class.

O-K Red linemen will rightfully attract coaches’ attention. It’s still an emerging group in the junior class, with a couple interesting ones with 6-6, 230 Elliot Jordan of East Kentwood and 6-6, 280 Evan Akins from Hudsonville. Jordan could also conceivably be a tight end, but EK didn’t use one.

Few 2015 players can match the prep resume of Logan Slaughter, a 6-5, 250 sophomore and already an all-stater small school power Mendon. He was a two-way standout for the 11-1 Hornets.

Other potential standout linemen who have already registered for the combine include:

• Eric Coggon  6-4  235  Jr  Traverse City St. Francis
• Christian England  6-4  210  Jr  Plainwell
• Tristen Fleet  6-3  265  Jr  Mancelona
• Benjamin Fox  6-1  210  Jr  Pewamo-Westphalia
• Kirk Hautau  6-2  280  Jr  Marshall
• Matt Hoover  5-11  289  Jr  Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
• Kyler Kregel  6-2  265  Jr  Forest Hills Northern
• Tommy Rousch  6-3  260  Fr  Petoskey
• Connor Smith  6-5  265  Jr  Three Rivers
• Lucas Walesky  6-4  270  Jr  Grayling
• David Walker  6-3  215  Jr  Harbor Springs
• Douglas Wyman  6-0  270  Jr  Mason County Central

Record-setting QB Jalen Brooks will be one of the all-staters competing at the March 17 Lake Michigan Football Report Combine in Grand Rapids. He had two six-touchdown games as a junior for Cadillac.

When quarterbacks produce at the rate Cadillac’s Jalen Brooks and Lake City’s Drew Marion did in their junior year, you’re going to get notice even when doing it in Northern Michigan. MAC schools like Brooks as an athlete at 6-4, 185, a possible Harrison Smith-type at the next level; while CMU and Ball State love how Marion can not just toss it but run and create. Playmakers you say? Last fall they accounted for 90 TDs between them.

No Michigan high school had a tougher pair of tackles than Cadillac’s Jack Ford and Riley Norman. That size and strength would’ve been for naught had they not had someone to block for, an opportunity filled ably by the smooth-striding Brooks. In the regular season he ran for 1,700 yards and 27 TDs (with only one fumble), while throwing for 712 yards and four TDs for a Cadillac team that made its fourth-straight playoff appearance (second with Brooks at QB), and starting at DB. He twice set the Big North Conference single-game record with a pair of six TD efforts.

Twenty minutes East in Lake City, Marion, a 6-2, 190 junior, was tearing up the Highland Conference. He led Lake City to a 10-2 mark, getting knocked out of the D7 playoffs by eventual state champion Ishpeming. Marion earned all-state accolades in a season which saw him throw for 2,300 yards and 27 TDs and run for 1,300 and 30 TDs.

Brooks and Marion will be among those athletes competing at the Lake Michigan Football Report’s combine Sunday, March 17 at the Woodland Sportsplex in Grand Rapids. Though both are scholarship locks, but it’s still a matter of solidifying what level and will be just two of the all-state caliber athletes competing. The combine provides a step to further their resumes and exposure level, and possibly expanding their college options.

Ferris State coach Tony Anesse at the Lake Michigan Football Report’s Unsigned Senior Camp in December. Ferris would sign four of those campers in its nationally-ranked recruiting class. Matthew Busch | mbusch1@mlive.com

The following seniors last year attended either the Lake Michigan Football Report’s Unsigned Senior Camp in Grand Rapids, or Combine in Traverse City:

• Ron Branch  5-9  180  DB  Stevenville-Lakeshore  Northwood
• Jake Brown 6-0 200 QB Comstock Park Michigan Tech
• Wyatt Derrer 5-9 180 RB Mancelona Siena Heights
• Derrick Diver  6-3  225  LB  Traverse City West  Michigan Tech
• Bobby Drew 6-4 280 DL Saugatuck Wayne State
• Tristan Eickenroth 6-1 210 ATH Kingsley Ferris State
• Amilio Flores  6-4  265  DL  Fruitport  Northwood
• Tyler Gildersleeve 6-6  275 OL Traverse City Central Michigan Tech
• Landon Grove  6-2  215  QB  Gladwin  Ferris State
• Matthew Hall 6-1 210 LB Grand Rapids Christian Hillsdale
• Colt Harrington  6-2  250  DL  Greenville  Northwood
• Landon Kresnak 6-3 235 DL Mona Shores Saginaw Valley State
• Greg Krusniak 6-7 235 TE Greenville Ferris State
• Trevor Lutke  6-3  245  OL  McBain  Northwood
• Blake Mazur 6-2 255 DL Comstock Park Wayne State
• Seth McIntosh 5-9 195 RB Grand Rapids Christian  Siena Heights
• Lincoln Mulder  6-2  220  ATH  Holland Christian  Ferris State
• Chance Murphy  6-2  290  DL  Traverse City West  Siena  Heights
• Nathan Pupel 6-0 205 LB Traverse City Central Siena Heights
• Billy Schaefer  6-3  235  OL  Grand Rapids West Catholic  Elmhurst
• TJ Schepperly  5-9  175  ATH  Traverse Central  Northwood
• Jaylen Schoenfield  6-1  175  DB  Swartz Creek  Grand Valley State
• Curtis Smith  5-10  175  WR/DB  Detroit U-D Jesuit  Siena Heights
• Reed Stormzand 6-2 215 ATH Lowell Siena Heights
• Dalton Sulz 6-2 240 OL Mancelona Albion
• Trevor Sweeney 5-9 170 RB Mattawan Western Michigan
• Andrew Trautman 6-2 215 LB Elk Rapids Dayton
• Trevor VanTubbergen 6-3 180 QB West Ottawa Wayne State
• Jared Vuksan  6-1  220  DL  Gladstone  Northern Michigan
• Andon Ware 6-1 175 ATH Baldwin Notre Dame (Ohio)

A school located in Midtown Detroit obviously hits up home first on the recruiting trail. But Wayne State’s 2011 national runner-up team gives coach Paul Winters’ program the bona fides to pull from anywhere in the state. It is quality over quantity for the Warriors in the Lake Michigan area for 2013, pulling two top 25 players overall, linemen Bobby Drew and Blake Mazur, and the No. 2 QB, Trevor VanTubbergen.

Drew and Mazur were the two best linemen at our December camp. While Mazur’s path to signing day included an all-state senior season for Comstock Park, Drew fell off the recruiting radar after moving to Saugatuck, but not playing. His junior year he was a standout on the best team in Holland history, and a MAC recruit at least. Drew was surprisingly sharp at our Uncommitted Seniors Camp, given his time off. He’s 6-4, 250 with moves and a motor.

“Bobby has the prototypical size for the defensive tackle position,” Winters said at Wayne State’s Signing Day press conference. “He also has really good movement and athleticism for someone his size. Bobby will really improve with college coaching and a college strength and conditioning program. His potential is unlimited.”

Mazur, 6-2, 260, was a two-way stalwart on some terrific CP teams. He’s fast off the line, light on his feet and knows when to pick his battles. He projects on the interior D Line for the Warriors.

“Blake shows a knack for anticipating the throw and timing his jump to block passes,” Winters said. “He uses his hands well to disengage from blockers and uses excellent speed to run down the ball carrier. Blake is very athletic, intelligent and was a leader of his team.”

VanTubbergen had a breakthrough senior season, thanks to consistency and confidence, flourishing in offense that was prolific by O-K Red standards. He threw for 2,071 yards and 27 TDs to just four pikcs.  He’s got nice physical tools, 6-3, 180 with a deep ball. His brother Tyler VanTubbergen is Western Michigan’s starting QB.

“Trevor has all the requisite skills to run our offense,” Winters said. “He has a strong arm and a quick release. Trevor has the ability to run the ball and he does everything effortlessly. Trevor has played against some of the best teams in the state of Michigan with great success. He has an outstanding future.”

If you’re a lineman with large aspirations, there aren’t many better destinations in Midwest college football than Central Michigan. That’s where Joe Staley went as a tight end on his path to becoming the top NFL tackle. CMU’s Eric Fisher is projected to be the first tackle off the board in this spring’s NFL Draft. It’s those standards like that which Jack Ford, a 6-6, 280 Cadillac lineman, will look. You have to like what he’s starting out with. Ford is one of five linemen in the Chippewas’ recruiting class.

“You watch this guy’s video, he’s running, he bends his knees, he changes direction, he climbs to the second level,” CMU coach Dan Enos said at their signing day press conference. “He’ll be 300 pounds by the time he walks in here. He committed to us this summer. He got recruited by a lot of different people, especially after they saw him in person, how flexible he was, how athletic he was.”

Corey Willis committed to CMU after his junior season, in which he was the state’s No. 2 rusher and coincided with the best season in Holland history. There would be no senior year after a knee injury in track (he’s a school-record long jumper). Willis was a high school QB who will have to find a spot in college. And while he never had blazing speed even before the injury, more quick than fast, Willis will make his mark as a playmaker.

Gary Jones doesn’t have a given college position either, he looked best at a wingback for Allegan, but if he finds one, look out. At 6-2, 200 he has legit sprinter’s speed. As a senior he scored TDs as a receiver, runner, kick returner and interceptor (one of those a pick-six of 103 yards).

“We got him late, but we knew him all along,” Enos said. “He has great size for a skill guy, and is very, very explosive. If you’re recruited by major colleges to run the 100 and 200 meters, you can run.”

While he might have had more opportunities with other teams, it’s safe to bet that Grand Rapids Christian’s 6-5, 230 tight end Zach Crouch wouldn’t trade his state championship rings for big stats. He showed some after-the-catch speed when he did get chances, and also moonlighted on the D Line.

“He’s a prototypical tight end,” Enos said. “He’s what we’re looking for — 6-5 flat-footed and he’s going to be 250, 255 pouinds before he leaves here. He’s tough, he’s got ball skills, he can run.”

Grand Valley State’s recruiting formula looks as successful as ever with this 2013 class, getting top talent from the backyard of the Lake Michigan area, while cashing in on its brand to bring in high-end players not just from throughout Michigan, but Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

“Our name recognition and the success of our football program enables our coaching staff to get in on some players that are being recruited at the Division I level,” Lakers head coach Matt Mitchell said in announcing the class. “It is important for us to continue to battle those Division I schools for those players if we want to continue to build our program.”

Here’s who Grand Valley signed from the Lake Michigan area, with the player’s ranking from our final top 100:

• 3. Heath Hoogerhyde  6-2  215  ATH  Caledonia
• 30. Joel Schipper  5-11  180  K  Grand Rapids Christian
• 31. Collin Schlosser  6-0  215  LB  Forest Hills Central
• 46. Keane Belcher  6-2  230  DL  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• 56. Nick Keizer  6-5  220  TE  Portage Northern
• 66. Josh  Dentler  6-6  265  OL  Portage Northern
• 69. Kyle Short  6-2  185  QB  Rockford

Obviously per his ranking Heath Hoogerhyde is a favorite around here, a true football player who could fit any system, any era. He came out of virtually nowhere to become a consensus all-stater as a senior. Hoogerhyde projects positively to any number of positions, but will likely end up at linebacker. He was the best player on the field in Caledonia’s state semifinal loss to Muskegon, a game Mitchell attended.

“Caledonia was very good this year, and Heath was the driving force on the defensive side of the ball,” Mitchell said. “He played some defensive back, he layed some linebacker, we’ll figure out where he fits in when he gets here. He’s just a very good fooball player and the type of person we’re looking for on the defensive side, a physical football player that’s going to be a multi-sport person for us.”

Hoogerhyde plans to also play baseball for GVSU, as does the next highest-ranked player, kicker Joel Schipper. Everyone saw his leg and poise in the D3 state finals, where Schipper kicked field goals to tie and then win the state championship.

Grand Valley adds an interior D lineman with a good motor in GR Catholic Central’s Keane Belcher, and one of the Lake Michigan area’s most prolific tacklers, Forest Hills Central’s Collin Schlosser.

“Collin’s a prototypical inside linebacker,” Mitchell said. “He’s very intelligent, the type of kid you could see eventually leading our defense.”

He sees another leader on the offensive side, in Rockford QB Kyle Short. He’s one of three QBs in the Lakers’ class, including Grand Blanc’s 6-5, 200 all-stater Bart Williams.

“Kyle brings so many intangibles that you’re not going to see on a highlight tape,” Mitchell said. “We really love his leadership and his approach to things.”

GVSU turned to Portage Northern for two big prospects, 6-6, 265 lineman Josh Dentler and 6-5, 220 tight end Nick Keizer.

“The thing you’ll see about (Keizer) is his size and his versatility,” Mitchell said. “Nick can be off the ball and blocking at an H-back or tight end, can dominate guys in the run game, while at the same time stretching the field vertically.”

Everyone likes a winner. And recruits — star players from winning programs across the state — think that winning is what Tony Anesse will do at Ferris State after his first season. The Bulldogs had a huge presence in The Lake’s recruiting area, while also adding significant Eastside and juco talent. Ferris also offered recruits that magic pill — playing time.

“If  you’re good enough to play, you’ll play right now,” Anesse said at the press conference announcing the Bulldogs’ class.

Ferris target the Lake Michigan area, and prospered. Here are Ferris State’s local recruits, with overall final top 100 ranking:

• 2. Ryheem Stokes  5-10  170  ATH  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• 4. Brandon Moore  6-4  190  WR  Montague
• 17. KC Zenner  6-0  190  DB  Rockford
• 20. Jake Daugherty  6-3  275  OL/DL  Big Rapids
• 29. Ato Condole  6-1  180  WR/DB  Holland West Ottawa
• 32. Greg Krusniak  6-7  235  TE  Greenville
• 36. Tristan Eickenroth  6-1  210  ATH   Kingsley
• 43. Jahaan Brown  6-0  180  RB  East Grand Rapids
• 52. David Mann  6-6  255  OL  Kalamazoo Loy-Norix
• 59. Chris Bradford  5-8  165  DB  Muskegon Mona Shores
• 63. Alex Vandevusse  6-1  185  QB  Grand Rapids Christian
• 81. Lincoln Mulder  6-2  220  TE/DL  Holland Christian

The two outliers are Ryheem Stokes and Brandon Moore. Both are borderline Big 10 prospects, who through various circumstances landed in D2. Stokes was the best player whenever he was on the field, be it as a DB, receiver, running back. He was at least a couple media outlets’ West Michigan player of the year — and yes, Drake Harris was in their coverage area. Stokes is everything Ferris lacked last year in the defensive backfield — a legit playmaker.

“He’s a Division I talent,” Annese said. “This is one outstanding athlete.”

So is Moore, would could’ve been a scholarship basketball player had he chosen that route.

“He’s a dynamic receiver,” Annese said. “He’s an athlete who can run and catch, but he’s also a big-bodied kid. After he committed to Ferris a Division I program came in and wanted to get him to switch, but Brandon stuck with us.”

Both players give Ferris potential game changers. A couple guys will be competing down the line to get the ball two them — QBs Alex Vandevusse of D3 state champion Grand Rapids Christian and Landon Grove from up in Gladwin. Vandevusse put up amazing numbers for GR Christian en route to their state title. He moves better than Grove. But Grove, a standout from our senior camp in December, is stronger with a bigger arm at 6-2 215.

After Stokes and Moore, the next highest-rated seniors in Ferris’ class are right down 131, and local. Anesse coached at Jenison and Muskegon, he knows all about Rockford football, a program which is one of only two in the state with more than one alumnus in the NFL. When you get the Rams’ top player, it’s like a defacto D1 talent. That’s what KC Zenner is, and might have been legally as well if it weren’t for a knee injury. To say expectations for him are high would be an understatement.

“KC is a winner,” Anesse said. “He’s the kind of guy that in four or five years will be leading us to a national championship. He’s a leader in every way.”

Jake Daugherty is the big boy down the block from Ferris. He’s slotted so highly due to his athleticism — he played linebacker for Big Rapids at 6-3, 275. With the light feet and aggressive field demeanor, Daugherty has the potential to do good things as on offensive lineman.

A couple Ferris recruits could share the “look the part” award. While his West Ottawa teammate, Saginaw Valley State signee Ryan Verhelst, was ranked higher because of his ball skills, Ato Condole is a little bigger, a little faster and more explosive. Another pure speed guy is Chris Bradford from Mona Shores. Greg Krusniak has the frame for good weight at 6-7, 235, and the hands and long stride to be a yardage threat. On the line, Loy-Norrix’ David Mann is like Krusniak, a prospect who could break through once he adds some weight. Krusniak would’ve been a higher level recruit if he’d done the camp circuit instead of played AAU basketball.

“You can’t coach 6-7,” Anesse said. “He’s a steal.”

Rugged runners? How about these two backs, 6-1, 210 Tristan Eikenroth from Kingsley, and 6-0, 180 Jahaan Brown straight from the East Grand Rapids tailback plant. How tough are these guys? Even with its history, no EGR back ever carried it 40 times in a game like Brown did against GR Christian; while Eikenroth played part of the season with a broken arm. As the offensive skill positions swell with young talent, either of these guys could move to the defensive side.

Holland Christian’s Lincoln Mulder doesn’t come in with the accolades as some of the other players, but is the kind of versatile athlete at 6-2, 220 that will fit in at H-back.