Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior Jalen Mayfield is an impact two-way lineman and the top prospect in the Lake Area, committed to Michigan.

DL Jalen Mayfield  6-5  260  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: The versatility and talent of the Lake Area’s top overall prospect, as he was all-area on the offensive line last season and projects there at U-M, but is also the best senior defensive linemen. He had a dozen sacks in the 2016 regular season before leading CC to the D4 state title.

DL Mazi Smith  6-4  310  Jr  East Kentwood: Has the rare combination of mass and explosion that can make an elite interior lineman. The offers reflect the talent of the Lake Area’s top DT prospect since Terrance Taylor was at Muskegon — Alabama, Notre Dame and U-M among many

DL Tyden Ferris  6-4  260  Sr  Delton Kellogg: Committed to CMU before his sophomore season. Versatile athlete has pass rusher’s physique and technique, also starts at center and is an all-state wrestler.

DL Eli Jackson  6-1  280  Sr  Muskegon: The Big Reds’ D line doesn’t have the size and talent of the O line, but Jackson sets the tone with blue-collar, selfless play at the point of attack.

LB Brett Taylor  5-11  225  Sr  Comstock Park: Terrific speed and has experience as a fourth-year starter at inside linebacker and guard on offense. Had 80 tackles and two interceptions as a junior.

LB Ali’vonta Wallace  6-1  210  Jr  Muskegon: There are larger prospects, but Wallace was the top actual player among Lake Area underclassman in 2016 and is Muskegon’s leading returning tackler.

LB Traven VanOss  6-0  200  Jr  Three Rivers: In 2016 had 105 tackles including 18 behind the line, forced five fumbles and returned another for a TD.

LB Ryan Ringler  5-8  175  Jr  Cedar Springs: Size is immaterial to this third-year starter savant who is always in the right spots and was the Red Hawks’  Already a third-year starter after leading the Red Hawks in tackles the past two seasons.

DB Darius Pruitt  6-3  200  Sr  Kalamazoo Central: Had 40 tackles and six interceptions as a junior for the Maroon Giants.

DB Marcus Remtema  6-0  185  Sr  Rockford: Third-year starter and the Lake Area’s top cover corner had 55 tackles and two picks last season.

DB Connor Bolthouse  5-11  190  Sr  Grand Rapids West Catholic: The heir apparent to David Fox, now at Grand Valley State, in the backfield for the defending D5 state champions.

Second team

• DL Caleb Murphy  6-4  210  Sr  Dowagiac
• DL Dan VanOpstall  6-6  250  Sr  Jenison
• DL Hunter Stearns  6-2  215  Sr  Hudsonville
• LB Khale Showers  5-11  210  Sr  Rockford
• LB Christian Brooks  6-2  220  Sr  North Muskegon
• LB Job Mayhue  6-2  220  Sr  East Kentwood
• LB Toby Hult  6-1  210  Sr  Grand Rapids South Christian
• DB Niner Stark  6-3  190  Sr  Gull Lake
• DB TJ VanKoevering  6-3  195  Jr  Hudsonville Unity Christian
• DB Willie Shanks  6-1  170  Sr  Muskegon
• DB John Todd  5-11  160  Sr  Cedar Springs

West Ottawa senior Xavier Wade is the top receiver in the Lake Area.

OL Antwan Reed  6-7  295  Sr  Muskegon: Amazingly underrated if anything, having not played a complete season last year for Muskegon after moving back from Florida, and then committing in the spring to an out-of-state school, albeit Penn State.

OL Anthony Bradford  6-5  330  Jr  Muskegon: Huge, tough run blocker from right ftackle, teaming with Reed to give the Big Reds the top pair in the Lake Area. Has offers from Alabama, Georgia and MSU.

OL Matt Kelly  6-0  230  Sr  Grandville: He projects to linebacker at the next level but is a terrific high school guard who was All-Lake Area as a junior.

OL Karsen Barnhart  6-4  280  Jr  Paw Paw: They’re coaching ’em up right in Paw Paw, where Michael VanHoeven was an All-Lake Area lineman in 2015 before going to EMU. Now here’s Barnhart off a strong summer with offers from all the in-state MAC schools.

OL Logan Brown  6-6  290  Jr  East Kentwood: Last year it was baptism by fire in the O-K Red, now Brown is morphing from prospect to player with offers from Alabama, U-M, Wisconsin and Penn State.

TE Ryan Hayes  6-7  260  Sr  Traverse City West: Like the Bengals’ Jake Fisher, he plays tight end at West and then tackle in college, in Hayes’ case UM. Had 20 catches for 311 yards.

QB La’darius Jefferson  6-2  215  Sr  Muskegon: Splitting duty in 2016 with Kalil Pimpleton, now at Virginia Tech, he had over 1,500 total yards and 24 TDs for D2 runner up Muskegon. Committed to Central Florida.

RB Nolan Fugate  6-1  205  Sr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central: He ran for 1,431 yards and 14 TDs for D4 state champion Catholic Central.

RB Brandon Anderson  5-10  160  Sr  Cassopolis: One of the fastest players in the Lake Area, he had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2016 for 15 TDs while averaging over 9.5 yards a carry.

RB Shane Tagg  6-1  200  Sr  Byron Center: The most experienced returning skill player behind a strong line, Tagg scored 10 TDs in each of the previous two seasons.

WR Xavier Wade  6-3  185  Sr  West Ottawa: As a junior he caught 66 passes for 1,033 yards and nine TDs.

Second Team

• OL Keontae Watson  6-5  265  Sr  Muskegon Mona Shores
• OL Jacob Kochanny  6-4  270  Sr  Cadillac
• OL Brandon Rake  6-6  230  Sr  Whitehall
• OL Cody Carone  6-4  295  Sr  Rockford
• OL Matthew Stefanski  6-4  305  Sr  Frankfort
• TE Braeden Childress  6-4  215  Sr  Big Rapids
• QB Jason Whittaker  6-5  205  Sr  Rockford
• RB Thomas Griggs  5-10  185  Sr  Wyoming Kellogsville
• RB Shane Baker  5-11  185  Jr  Grandvile
• RB JoJo Whitley  5-10  170  Sr  Comstock Park
• WR Bryce Clay  5-10  190  Sr  Forest Hills Central

• ATH John Shelton  5-9  185  Fr  East Grand Rapids
• OL Ty Potter  6-2  220  So  Hudsonville
• OL Luke Harmon  6-4  240  So  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• OL Stuart Kettler  6-4  262  So  East Grand Rapids
• OL Spencer Hulst  6-2  230  So  Grand Rapids South Christian
• QB Calyn Murphy  6-1  135  Fr  Dowagiac
• QB Cole Wright  6-2  170  Fr  Charlevoix
• RB Chandler Edwards  5-10  165  So  North Muskegon
• RB Alan Ritter  5-9  145  Fr  Charlevoix
• TE Spencer Holstege  6-5  235  So  Grand Rapids South Christian
• WR Taven Hakens  6-3  190  So  Saranac
• WR Kalen Brown  6-0  154  So  Wyoming Godwin Heights
• DL Carson Bekins  6-0  218  So  Grandville
• DL Cortez Charleston  5-9  250  So  Wyoming Godwin Heights
• DL Alex Overla  6-1  265  So  Caledonia
• DL Nick Hardy  6-0  190  So  Stevensville Lakeshore
• LB Hunter Parsons  6-1  175  So  Cassopolis
• LB Anthony Campise  6-1  165  So  Mattawan
• LB  Michael Dennis  6-2  170  So  Freeland
• DB Brady Jackson  6-1  185  So  Saranac
• DB Thomas Rudolph  5-9  156  So  Charlevoix

Outstanding Defensive Prospect

Caleb Murphy  6-4  210  Jr  Edge  Dowagiac: He was an all-league receiver in the fall. Murphy can really be special on the other side of the line. Nice mix of Dowagiac blue collar toughness and explosion coming around the end. Murphy tested in the top 10 across the board, including the best standing vertical, 34 4/5″, and third in the 40-yard dash, 4.5 seconds.

Outstanding Defensive Line Prospect

Ray Cunningham  6-2  240  Jr  Charlevoix: Bull-rushed a number of foes into submission. Played bigger and stronger than his physical measurables at the point of impact. Also an all-league blocker for the Rayders. Cunningham, and every other lineman at the combine, would do well to add some of the pass-rush moves of Grand Rapids West Catholic’s Gabe Rohn. An impact D end from the Division 5 state champs is just 5-9, 234. He used a plethora of techniques to escape the larger offensive linemen, breaking away with quick, strong hands to duck under their inside shoulder again and again. Hudsonville’s 6-2, 240 junior D tackle Seth Hoonhorst is versatile and mobile, also a fullback for the Eagles with special teams value.

Outstanding Linebacker Prospect

Brett Taylor  5-10  220  Jr  Comstock Park: He’s on track to be a four-year, two-way starter at middle linebacker and guard for the Panthers. Taylor showed how here, combining closing linebacker speed with a 4.43 40 (second) and blocking power to handle bigger men from the offensive line with a 46′ power ball toss (third). Not just show strength, as in live action Taylor is stout enough to stone runners high, or hold on when going low. He had 80 tackles and a pair of picks as a junior. A really intriguing new prospect is junior Christian Brooks, an Illinois native now at North Muskegon, with a bunch of nice tools at 6-2, 221. Versatile big body running a 4.64 40. Tested in the top 10 in all four categories. 6-3, 190 junior Michael Munderloh has been a two-year standout on the line in the middle of the Mitten at St. Louis. He had 80 tackles, including 10 for loss, and six sacks, with six recovered fumbles. As a sophomore it was 44 tackles, 13 for loss, and three sacks. Also a good receiver, so could project as a tight end if not linebacker. Munderloh ran a 4.63 40 and 4.33 shuttle. Harley McCaskey is a small-school, two-way star for Morenci, a 6-3, 190 junior who projects best at inside linebacker.

Outstanding Secondary Prospect

Alexander Hage  5-10  155  Jr  Wyoming: He turned in the quickest pro agility drill, 4.22 seconds, and also had top 10 scores in the vertical jump and power ball toss.

All-Combine Defense

• DL Seth Hoonhorst  6-2  240  Jr  Hudsonville
• DL Chase Knicki  6-1  238  Jr  Grant
• DL Grant Bearss  6-1  245  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• DL Gabe Rohn  5-9  234  Jr  Grand Rapids West Catholic
• LB Christian Brooks  6-2  221  Jr  North Muskegon
• LB  Michael Munderloh  6-3  190  Jr  St. Louis
• LB Harley McCaskey  6-3  190  Jr  Morenci
• LB Aidan Burns  6-3  205  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• DB Jacob Kurnat  6-0  170  Jr  Byron Center
• DB Brand Thelen  5-7  155  Jr  Fowler
• DB Alexander Hage  5-10  150  Jr  Wyoming
• DB Maliq Thompson  5-8  180  Jr  Rockford

Overall Offensive Outstanding Prospect

Brandon Anderson  5-10  155  Jr  RB/WR  Cassopolis: He ran the second-fastest 40-yard dash in the combine’s five years, 4.35 seconds. Anderson chased that with a second-place toss in the power ball, showing the all-around explosion of this versatile back. And though he’s an all-state sprinter, Anderson is far from just some track guy putting in pretty numbers. He averaged 9.7 yards per carry and 18.6 per reception while scoring 15 TDs for Cassopolis’ D7 regional championship team. In drills here showed nice instincts making adjustments on the fly to complete catches. Could see him as a CMU type slot back, though college defensive secondary coaches will want to get ahold of Anderson too.

LMFR Combine Top 40s (2013-17)

1. Jacob Geter, Plainwell (2014): 4.34 seconds
2. Brandon Anderson, Cassopolis (2016): 4.35
3. Danny Bauder, Zeeland West (2013): 4.40
4. Brett Taylor, Comstock Park (2017): 4.43
5. Michael Williams, Wyoming (2015): 4.44

Offensive Skill Outstanding Prospect

Jacob Knierim  6-4  175  Jr  QB  Merrill: Bright future as he’s a year young for his class. Knierim was just 15 in the fall when he made honorable mention all-state after Merrill made a repeat playoff appearance in his first-year at starting QB. He flourished in the spread throwing for over 2,000 yards with 20 TDs and running for another four during the regular season. Here, he got the ball out quickly, threw with accuracy and communicated with his receivers. As Knierim improves his decision making in year 2, small college spread teams will covet him and with his frame and arm, GLIAC coaches will be taking a long look at his five-year map. As well as Knierim played, based on his physical tools and raw potential we almost had another QB in this spot, 6-4, 195 Jr Joel Wilson from Petoskey. Wilson is a Class A three-sport starter who also projects as a college baseball player. But last season was his first as the Northmen’s starting QB and he got the bug. While not in a pass-friendly offense like Knierim, Wilson still threw for 886 yards and 10 TDs. No QB at the combine came close to testing like Wilson, who was fourth in the vertical jump, and more impressively given his size fifth in the pro agility drill. His multisport background, all-around athleticism and character are similar to Chad Fox, the QB/.catcher from Holland who was Brian Kelly’s first star passer at Grand Valley State. Wilson just won’t come out with the reps like Fox did as a prep. Nevertheless we now have him the No. 4 QB in the Lake Area’s senior class, and the guys ahead have at least MAC offers. He’s also an all-state candidate as a punter and could conceivably play tight end, H back, linebacker at the college level.

A pair of running backs were also in the mix. 6-1 205 Grand Rapids Catholic Central junior Nolan Fugate has always tested well at the combine, and this year was no different with top 10 marks in every event, including a 4.55 40 (fourth), 4.24 pro agility (second) and 33 3/5″ vertical (third).  Those numbers transfer to the field, where Fugate was invaluable in D4 state champion GRCC’s playoff run with 136 yards and 2 TDs against Allendale and 278 yards and 3 TDs against Unity Christian.  With Mike Brown and Antonio Strong matriculating to Miami-OH and GVSU, Fugate will have more touches this fall. He also brings versatility similar to Brown and Strong, as he also projects as a safety or linebacker. So does 6-1 200 Byron Center junior Shane Tagg, who made his name scoring 10 TDs last fall, but can also play safety while contributing on special teams returning kicks or long snapping. What kind of athletes does all that? One with a 4.5 flat 40 (third), 4.26 pro agility (fourth) and 34 1/3 vertical (second).

Offensive Line Outstanding Prospect

OL Johnathan Hardy  6-5  275  Jr  Bay City John Glenn: Combination of speed, frame for good college weight and wingspan in right tackle drills separated Hardy as the top line prospect. He ran a 4.71-second 40 and 5.01 pro agility, the best marks of any of the big men. MAC schools will want him on campus for camps, and if he can show some explosion and power in the run game is a fit for that level. Also in the mix here was a lanky, mobile right tackle 6-6 230 Whitehall junior Brandon Rake. He also showed potential as an end rusher.  Has to get stronger. Cadillac junior Jacob Kochanny is fit at 6-4, 270. He’s an interior guy who can improve flexibility and technique, but is a nasty hitter who plays hard and finishes off his man. A little more mean will go a long way with Frankfort junior Matthew Stefanski. He was the heaviest player at the combine at 6-5, 305 but showed his basketball pedigree by moving on his feet like a smaller man. Just going by test results you might sell short Jacob Achteroff, but the 6-5, 287 North Muskegon junior put in work during the drills, a worker going both ways with a second- and third-effort motor. Strong and guys felt that when he got hands on.

All-Combine Offense

• OL Brandon  Rake  6-6  230  Jr  Whitehall
• OL Jacob Kochanny  6-4  270  Jr  Cadillac
• OL Matthew Stefanski  6-5  305  Jr  Frankfort
• OL Jacob Achteroff  6-5  287  Jr  North Muskegon
• OL Sean McKinley  6-3  230  Jr  Houghton Lake
• QB Jake Wilson  6-4  195  Jr  Petoskey
• RB Nolan Fugate  6-1  205  Jr  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
• RB Shane Tagg  6-0  200  Jr  Byron Center
• TE Patrick Nugent  6-3  225  Jr  Okemos
• WR Jalen Thomas  5-11  169  Jr  Utica Ford
• WR Kenny Brewer  6-1  165  Jr  Lansing Waverly

We expect Byron Center’s Shane Tagg to increase his already impressive 2016 production of 655 yards on just 64 carries and 10 total TDs this fall as a senior.

Standing Vertical

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Brett Taylor will be a four-year, two-way starter for Comstock Park as a linebacker and offensive lineman. He showed off that versatility by placing third in the power ball toss and second in the 40-yard dash at the LMFR Combine.

Power Ball Toss

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Grand Rapids Catholic Central junior Nolan Fugate can do it pads, like his 280 yards and 3 TDs in the state semis, and without, as he was a top 10 performer every category at the LMFR Combine.

Pro Agility

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Brandon Anderson was a serious threat on Cassopolis’ regional championship team last fall. The all-state sprinter ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the LMFR Combine in five years.

40-yard Dash

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Ali’Vonta Wallace should continue Muskegon’s streak of Power 5 recruits.

1. Ali’vonta Wallace  6-1  210  LB  Muskegon
2. Mazi Smith  6-3  300  DL  East Kentwood
3. Anthony Bradford  6-5  310  OL  Muskegon
4. Logan Brown  6-6  260  OL  East Kentwood
5. Boone Bonnema  6-3  215  LB  Zeeland East
6. Logan Miller  6-5  270  OL  Allendale
7. Peyton Young  6-4  310  OL  Muskegon Oakridge
8. Damari Roberson  6-2  175  WR/DB  Muskegon Mona Shores
9. Traven VanOss  6-0  200  LB  Three Rivers
10. TJ VanKoevering  6-3  185  ATH  Hudsonville Unity Christian
11. Luke Harmon  6-5  240  OL  Grand Rapids Catholic Central
12. Stuart Kettler  6-5  265  DL  East Grand Rapids