Keane Belcher  6-3  220  DL  Grand Rapids Catholic Central  Grand Valley State
Had a breakout senior year for one of the Lake area’s top defenses, with 65 tackles. Good enough to have switched word association to the name Keane Belcher from hoops to football.

Antwan Billings  6-3  270  OL  Muskegon  Saginaw Valley State
SVSU prioritized then delivered with Billings, a nasty guard who didn’t get beat for a sack during Muskegon’s run to the D2 state final.

Chris Bradford  5-8  165  DB  Mona Shores  Ferris State
Transferred from Muskegon and had a strong senior season at Mona. Bradford was a speedy dual threat back for Mona Shores whose side may make him a DB/kick returner at the next level.

Jahaan Brown  6-0  180  RB  East Grand Rapids  Ferris State
He did yeoman’s work with the ball all season long and became the latest all-state caliber back out of East.

Jake Bull  6-6  235  DL/TE  Hudsonville  Hillsdale
The O-K Red is known for putting out quality ‘bigs,’ and Bull was on top of that food chain this year. All kinds of physical tools and potential for the Chargers.

Zach Crouch  6-5  240  TE  Grand Rapids Christian  Central Michigan
He wasn’t a focal point of the state’s most explosive offense, but delivered in spots as a receiver showing yac ability, was a solid blocker and also helped on the D line.

Jake Daugherty  6-3  275  OL/DL  Big Rapids  Ferris State
It’s nice to have a hometown prospect like this, and the Bulldogs are keeping him around. Daugherty’s such a good athlete that he played linebacker for Big Rapids, and for Ferris could end up as an offensive tackle.

Tristan Eickenroth  6-1  210  ATH   Ferris State
DHe got all-state votes as a junior running back, but missed much of 2012 with a broken arm. That didn’t affect his wheels though, and the college coaches loved him at The Lake’s uncommitted seniors camp, a big boy who could move. It’s an arms race on the Westside, and Ferris counters Grand Valley State’s Heath Hoogerhyde commitment a similarly versatile, high-end GLIAC prospects.

Hunter Folkertsma  6-6  230  TE  Forest Hills Central  Bowling Green
Folkertsma will reportedly go down to BGSU as a “grey shirt,” not a bad option for an athlete with lots of physical potential. He’s a good blocker who could get filled out and play tackle.

Jack Ford  6-6  275  OL  Cadillac  Central Michigan
JYD tackle that helped open things up for one of the most feared running games in the North. Has the potential to fit right in for CMU, a school that for sure knows how to work their linemen.

Tyler Gildersleeve  6-7 280  OL  Traverse City Central  Michigan Tech
He has the coveted offensive tackle physique. Gildersleeve was a key member of one of the best TC Central team in years.

Houston Glass  6-1  190  DB  East Kentwood  Buffalo
Like Hudsonville’s Jake Bull previously on this list, Glass was a bright spot for an O-K Red program that had seen better days.

Daniel Green  6-0  290  DL  Grand Rapids West Catholic  Iowa Western
He was The Lake’s Small School MVP after three years of dominating at nose tackle. Look for Green to resurface as a D1 recruit after two years at this top junior college program.

Bryan Holmes  5-11  175  K  Yale
He eased back into it for West Ottawa after a knee injury to maintain his place amongst The Lake’s “big three” kickers along with Dowagiac’s Brett Scanlon and GR Christian’s money maker Joel Schipper.

Heath Hoogerhyde  6-1  215  ATH  Caledonia  Grand Valley State
Simply one of the best football players in Michigan who did it all for Caledonia as a cover man, tackler and runner. High-end recruit for the Lakers, and a two-for-one deal as Hoogerhyde also plans to play baseball in college.

Jack Jennings  6-2  215  LB  Paw Paw  Saginaw Valley State
Cornerstone of Paw Paw team that went undefeated in the regular season. Athlete who could conceivably play an H-back on offense.

Nate Jeppesen  6-4  270  OL  Portage Central  Toledo
It’s the second year in row that Portage Central has produced a D1 lineman. Kyle Knapp is a Syracuse freshman.

Trevor Lutke  6-3  260  OL/DL  McBain  Northwood
He’s a rare four-year starter for one of the top small-school programs in Northern Michigan. Lutke moves really well right now, and has a future if he continues to do so while packing on the weight.

Brandon Moore  6-4  190  WR  Montague  Ferris State
One of the best athletes in school history, as a football and basketball player. He played mostly QB as a senior. At one point in his career he was a legit Big 10 target. Ferris State gets another serious weapon, as like Ryheem Stokes, Moore was one of the Lake Michigan area’s most dynamic playmakers. While Stokes does it on the ground, Moore beats you in the air where he can at times be mistaken for Drake Harris (though the Montague kid is actually the better dunker).

Spencer Nehls  6-1  185  ATH  Forest Hills Central  Hillsdale
Forest Hills Central was probably a Nehls ankle injury away from making the playoffs. When healthy, he’s a threat with his speed as a halfback, receiver or cornerback.

Deven Scott-Stith  6-3  190  WR  Grand Rapids Catholic Central  Saginaw Valley State
He was part of GR Catholic Central’s amazing defense but will likely start out on the offensive side of the ball at the next level, where coaches love his size at receiver.

Kyle Short  6-3  185  QB  Rockford  Grand Valley State
Didn’t have big numbers at Rockford other than the one that really matters — Ws.

Collin Schlosser  6-0  215  LB  Forest Hills Central  Grand Valley State
All-stater is a classic middle linebacker straight out of Gil Thorp. He had topped 100 tackles in two seasons.

Ryheem Stokes  5-10  170  ATH  Grand Rapids Catholic Central  Ferris State
Dynamic playmaker and The Lake’s No. 1 senior prospect. He should be playing for Rich-Rod in Arizona, a steal for Ferris.

Andon Ware  6-1  175  ATH  Baldwin  Notre Dame (Ohio) 
An all-state running and defensive back who dominated Class D ball, Ware will likely be a receiver or DB in college.

Tyler White  6-5  230  DL/TE  Plainwell  Illinois
The Illini were the first team to wager White had recovered his explosiveness following a knee injury. Physical specimen who began his career as a running back before outgrowing the position.

Corey Willis  5-10  170  ATH  Holland  Central Michigan
The best player in Holland High history despite missing his senior season with a knee injury. Willis is a prep QB who will play another position in Mt. Pleasant.

KC Zenner  6-0  190  DB  Rockford  Ferris State
Last on the list alphabetically, but certainly not in talent. By the time he hits Big Rapids his knee should be 100 percent, making the hard-hitting safety another potential steal for the Bulldogs.

GVSU commit Heath Hoogerhyde intercepts a pass against Grand Rapids Christian earlier this season. (Photo: Caldad)

Grand Valley State had coaches at the Division 2 semifinal at Hudsonville, where Muskegon held off Caledonia. Everyone there was impressed by how Caledonia senior Heath Hoogerhyde made clutch play after clutch play. Only the Lakers will get to watch him do it for them now, as the 6-1, 215 consensus all-stater has committed to Grand Valley.

Hoogerhyde is a value recruit as either a defensive back with the size and tackling grit of a linebacker; or a linebacker who can run, turn, cover and make plays on the ball. He made 112 tackles and nine interceptions. He also had over 1,400 yards running and catching out of the offensive backfield. He had a number of drive-saving, shoe-lace receptions in that Muskegon game. Hoogerhyde is simply a terrific football player, a man for all eras or systems, and another local coup for GVSU.

Michigan Tech got in on recruiting the Lake Michigan area, bringing in one of the state’s top available offensive tackles, Traverse City Central’s Tyler Gildersleeve. He has the frame and reach that you want at the position at 6-7, 280 pounds. He was a right tackle for the Trojans and likely projects to that side at the next level. He may lack the high-end quickness for left tackle, but has a lot of room to grow physically, with upper body strength, and the final product could be exciting.

Comstock Park’s Jake Brown led the way for QB’s at The Lake’s Senior Exposure Camp (Photo: Matt Busch)

It’s funny that what ends up the most analyzed position in the wide world of sports — NFL quarterback — can begin with such a hit-and-miss scouting process. Aaron Rodgers had to go through junior college to get a D1 scholarship. Kirk Cousins was an afterthought Big Ten recruit for Michigan State. Tom Brady had to share snaps at a U-M as a senior. There’s so much that goes into the QB position, it’s hard to take in the totality and intangibles in a camp environment. But there are clues.

Here are the top 5 2013 QBs from The Lake’s Senior Exposure Camp:

1. Jake Brown  6-0  198  Comstock Park
2. Trevor VanTubbergen  6-3  180  West Ottawa
3. Jake Cowsert  6-0  175  Watervliet
4. Landon Grove  6-2  215  Gladwin
5. Nick Kroneymeyer  6-1  185  Hamilton

Jake Brown piled up the ground yardage and rushing TDs during his three-year all-conference run at Comstock Park. But it’s not like he can’t throw.

“Great footwork, throws from a good arm slot, he really can spin the ball,” the camp’s QB coach said. “Throws a great deep ball.”

In Brown’s interaction with receivers and coaches, there were hints of the leadership and charisma that can define the position as much as arm strength. You can see how his teams won so many games.

Unlike with Brown, no one worries about height with West Ottawa’s Trevor VanTubbergen. He has the physical tools at 6-3, 180, and looked good dropping in the deep ball. Jake Cowsert was the fastest QB with a 4.78 40, fitting since he was also an all-league cornerback for Watervliet. He’s best known for heading up one of the state’s most prolific small-school offenses, and with all those reps looked really comfortable throwing.

“Very good footwork and throws a catch-able ball,” the coach said.

Landon Grove gives quite a different look from Cowsert, at 6-2, 215 the biggest QB in camp. He’s a three-time all-league QB out of the Jack Pine Conference and looked right at home with the Grand Rapids area athletes. Strong arm, smart eyes, the kind of QB where teammates feed off his physical presence and attitude.

Nick Kronemeyer is more of a gamer than workout warrior. He’s good in game situations, improvising with his legs and making plays under pressure. Like Jake Brown, ran a respectable 4.9 40. At times his ball floated in drills. Had he not injured his throwing hand the day before in a basketball scrimmage, Zeeland East’s Michael Custer would have been in consideration with the top QBs. He’s a good athlete at  6-2, 175, a bright decision-maker with a natural throwing motion.

A one-time All-GLIAC lineman himself, Northern Michigan assistant coach Rob Boss was looking for some of the same at the Senior Exposure Camp. (©Matthew Busch/Mlive)

There are no pads in the off-season, but there were certainly helmets and hitting in the lineman drills at The Lake’s Senior Exposure Camp. Those with reputations backed them up, and some more stated their case in front of the college coaches.

The rare 2014 player in the mix, 6-2, 240 Forest Hills Northern junior Jacob Howe was considered by the coaches to be the top defensive lineman in camp. He has the whole package to be highly recruitable — great film backed up by Class A school stats and the talent to perform well in venues like this; and good grades.

“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 coaches called Blake Mazur, 6-2, 255 from Comstock Park, the top senior on the D line, an aggressive and tough run-stopper and pass rusher. He didn’t blow away the 40 at 5.3, but is quick off the line, and played low, active and light on his feet against bigger linemen. Mazur brawled when he had too, but was just as likely to slip under to beat his man.

All the college coaches were curious to see 6-3, 286 senior Bobby Drew. A year ago at this time he was a junior coming off an outstanding season at Holland and hearing from MSU and half the MAC. He moved to Saugatuck and didn’t play as a senior. He was gone but not forgotten to the coaches, and despite his layoff Drew didn’t disappoint them with his camp performance. A testament to how hard it was for the offensive players to contain him, his shirt was ripped from neck to waist by the time the drills were through. Drew was explosive and strong with a lot of downhill leverage. He ran a 5.1 40. Besides his physical gits, he’s been coached up too.

“Bobby Drew never stopped working and rushing the passer,” the position coach said. “He has a great motor and multiple tools to use while pass rushing.”

Landon Kresnak  looked like really promising defensive end material. The Mona Shores senior is quick and fluid pass rusher at 6-3  233. He ran a 5.06 40. On the other end of the scale was 6-3, 320 senior Nicholas Zoerhof from Hudsonville Unity Christian, a massive Dutchman of a D tackle. The coaches ranked them the Nos. 4 and 5 defensive line prospects.

“Kresnak and Zoerhof both had great work ethics and were really coachable,” the defensive line coach said. “They have the tools to become really good pass rushers, they just need

The award for biggest feet was easy, Shelby’s Dillion Ankey and his custom-made cleats. At 6-2, 215 he probably also had the lowest body fat on the field when the big guys were working out, nor surprising for one of the state’s top wrestlers. He ran a 4.88 40. A couple times in drills Ankey simply overwhelmed a bigger man with a bull rush. Another Muskegon area guy who looked good was 6-4, 265 Fruitport senior Amilio Flores, who ran a 5.3 40 and showed good quickness in drills. Holland Christian’s 6-4, 215 senior Brad Wassink moved well and has the frame to put on some good weight in college. Zeeland West’s 6-1, 215 senior Casey Mesbergen played guard and middle linebacker this fall, but may project best as a defensive end, which he played his junior season. Mesbergen ran a 4.87 40. The fastest lineman was 6-2, 220 Lake City senior Michael Dziendziel, with a 4.75 40 time.

On the offensive side, Clarkston’s Eric Eberle was the top lineman. The 6-3, 280 senior guard was part of a group that enabled Clarkston junior Ian Eriksen to rush for over 2,000 yards and 30 TDs. He also had the advantage of going up every day against big-time D line talent in practice with guys like Nick Matich and David Beedle. with Jesse Chadwell and Nick Matich, Eberle established his role as a true lunch pail guy, who never missed a game nor practice in his high school career. That exposure to coaching was evident in the drills, as he had clean technique and maintained pad level. Eberle had active feet and a good motor.

Kalkaska senior Garret Haller is a classic center, relatively short but scrappy at  6-0  280. He was able to get leverage, staying low his heels down; needs to remember to keep his head up.   Kalakska  stayed low, but needs to keep head up. Like Haller, another small school, Northern Michigan kid proved he belonged. 6-1, 240 Mancelona senior Dalton Sulz competed every snap and wasn’t beat by the same move twice. Like Haller, he picked up coaching and got better as the day went on. More tough Northern Michigan kids, undersized but raw hitters were 5-9, 207 senior Jacob Anderson of Suttons Bay and 5-11, 240 senior Trevor Lee from Frankfort.

Zach Weiser, a 6-3, 275 St. Joseph senior, was one of the offensive linemen quickest off the ball. At 6-6, 305, Three Rivers senior Brandon DeWitt will make an investment project for someone. Grand Rapids West Catholic’s 6-3, 235 senior Billly Schaefer showed capable kick to get out on pass rushers, and ran the 40 in 5.03.

The tight end group was strong. 6-5, 215 Grand Rapids South Christian senior Seth VanEngen picked up where he left off in the state finals, just making plays. He was too big and physical for any of the linebackers or defensive backs trying to cover him, able to get separation or go up and snatch passes above defenders’ heads. VanEngen is also an outstanding blocker, and could project as a rush linebacker. Just a playmaker. He was amongst the top three tight end prospects alongside Schoolcraft’s 6-5, 210 Zachary Decker. He surprised a number of defenders with his speed and ran a 4.93 40. A couple times looked like he fought the ball a bit. Greenville senior Greg Krusniak is an amazing target at 6-7, 235, and looked smooth with the ball after the catch.

The two fastest tight ends at camp were Lowell’s 6-2, 215 senior Reed Stormzand, also a linebacker who did the 40 in 4.56 seconds; and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer’s 6-3, 222 senior Marquese Livers at 4.74. Another tight end who impressed was Kyle Bryan, a 6-5, 225 senior from Tecumseh. He ran a 4.97 40 and his diving reception along the sideline may have been the catch of the day.

Sometimes in sports, the name fits the man. We saw that in the state finals when Muskegon backup QB Deshaun Thrower entered the game and almost beat Brother Rice with his arm. Then there’s Jake Bull, a 6-7, 225 senior from Hudsonville with the perfect surname for an imposing defensive end and tight end. The Eagles’ didn’t see much team success, but Bull was still a physically dominating presence in the O-K Red. So much so, he was The Lake’s No. 3 ranked senior tight end (behind two D1 commitments) and No. 2 senior D-lineman (after Plainwell’s Illinois-bound Tyler White and ahead of luminaries like Daniel Green and Blake Mazur).

Hillsdale offers a unique experience in the GLIAC, a small, academically-hefty private school. As such, to win in D2 what the Chargers’ recruiting classes lack in quantity even out in quality. And recently when they want not just quality but a cut above, an all-time great, they recruit West Michigan. East Grand Rapids running back Joe Glendening was an All-American, Harlon Hill finalist and Hillsdale’s all-time rusher and scorer. Forest Hills Northern’s Jared Veldheer is in this third season starting on the Oakland Raiders’ offensive line. The same combination of school/sports that attracted them to Hillsdale was just as appealing to Bull. He chose the Chargers over Grand Valley State, Miami-OH, Brown and Harvard.

Saginaw Valley State has enjoyed a steady supply of standout linbebackers from the Lake Michigan area. West Ottawa grad Grant Caserta just finished his Cardinals career as a four-year starter and Academic All-American. He was SVSU’s leading tackler in 2012, followed by another linebacker, junior Brian Johnson from Muskegon Catholic Central. Their success leaves expectations high for fresh Saginaw Valley commitment Jack Jennings, highly decorated out of Paw Paw and looking ready-made physically at 6-2, 222.

In his senior season, Jennings led Paw Paw to an undefeated regular season with 98 tackles including four sacks, while forcing four fumbles and making an interception. He also showed off his athleticism as a receiver, with 250  yards and two TDs.

Grand Valley State can pull top talent from throughout the Mitten, and the Lakers have done just that already with their 2013 class. But you’ve gotta protect the back yard, as well. “Buy local” certainly paid off in 2012, as an Ottawa County red-shirt freshman, Zeeland East safety Brad Horling, started every game, made 90 tackles and took home a GLIAC defensive player of the week award.

The Lakers’ local recruiting has commenced for the current class, with commitments from Forest Hills Central all-state linebacker Collin Schlosser and Rockford QB Kyle Short. Like Horling, Schlosser will arrive in Allendale highly decorated.  The four-year starter surpassed 100 tackles as both a junior and a senior, and was named Division 3-4 all-state both years. Schlosser, 6-0, 215, was in on 130 stops this season.

Short doesn’t have the gaudy numbers of other area quarterbacks, but that wasn’t what he was asked to do for the Rams’ ball-control, power offense. What he does bring is winning pedigree as a three-year letter winner for an elite big school program, college size and athleticism at 6-3, 187. He also brings a history of being an efficient, winning QB. In seven games this season, Short threw seven TDs to two interceptions.

Trent Karcher, an all-state receiver from Chippewa Hills, excelled with and without the ball at the Senior Exposure Camp. (©Matthew Busch/Mlive)

It was no one’s idea of a quick track at Woodland Sports, but the players one expected to run well did Sunday at the Lake Michigan Football Report’s Senior Exposure Camp. It was no surprise that Otsego’s Brandan Campbell was the fastest athlete in the building at 4.53 seconds despite being one of the biggest players to make the top 10 40s at 5-11, 215. He’s a workout warrior who in the past has topped combines in jumping and lifting as well. Campbell is part of a rare minority of players in the state who made all-conference as both a running back and D lineman. He worked out here with the running backs, and could also end up as a linebacker. This was the start of a busy December for Campbell. On December 22 he’s playing in the NUC All-American Senior Game in Myrtle Beach, SC. The game’s most recent well-known alumnus is Texas A&M QB and freshman Heisman Trophy finalist Johnny Manziel.

Three players clocked 4.56 seconds. You’d expect that kind of speed from Mattawan’s Trevor Sweeney, as a consensus big school all-state running back. At 5-9 170, is he an RB or DB for the next level? He doesn’t have the build of an every-down back but could be a real weapon in a Danny Woodhead or Julian Edelman style role. He caught the ball well in drills. Like Campbell, Reed Stormzand has the size/speed ratio the coaches love at 6-2, 215. He was a linebacker and tight end for one of the state’s top programs, Lowell, and has the athletic versatility to make him a valuable recruit. Anthony Czapek‘s wheels showed why he was able to be all over the place playing up north as a running back and linebacker at Maple City Glen lake.

Coming in at 4.59 was Geovante Weston from Kalamazoo Hackett. He was one of the state’s most prolific rushers in his Hackett tenure, finishing with over 4,000 career yards.

At No. 6, in 4.62, is a kid who came all the way over from Detroit but still had the fresh legs, Detroit U-D Jesuit’s Curtis Smith. He picked up an offer from Siena Heights.

Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian’s Michael Lewis was timed at 4.63. He was an All-OK Silver running back and defensive back.

TJ Schepperly was a star QB for TC Central, but showed here why he can project to other positions at the next level, finishing at 4.64.  At 5-9, 175, he worked out at cornerback and was sticky on coverage all afternoon. The college coaches also liked his potential as a return man.

Trent Karcher ran 4.67. He was an all-state receiver for Chippewa Hills, with 1,133 and 18 TDs this fall. He showed in GR that  he wasn’t putting up those numbers because it came against smaller schools in the Central State, as he consistently beat DBs from larger conferences. Karcher has good hands, catches the ball away from his body and ran crisp routes and juked himself wide open a number of times. A red-shirt year likely looms to get some muscle on him.

At the 10th spot are four players — Grand Rapids Christian’s Seth McIntosh, Baldwin’s Andon Ware, Galesburg-Augusta’s Richard Waite and Reeths-Puffer’s JeWell Glover. McIntosh was the leading rusher for Division 3 state champion Grand Rapids Christian. He’s built like a college back at 5-9 195, has a near 4.0 gpa and on the field reads blocks adroitly, can stop then accelerate quickly and produce outside or between the tackles. Ware dominated Class D competition as an all-purpose threat, so much so that he already has one D2 offer from Notre Dame (Ohio) and is visiting Grand Valley State on December 14. Where he really shined Saturday though was in drills with his quickness over short distances, his break on the ball defensively. In the fall Glover who came over from Muskegon Heights, shared RB reps with another camper, Reeths-Puffer’s All-OK Black pick Johndries Betts-Redder. He’s another guy who accelerated and moved well in drills as well as under the watch.

Top 10 40-yard times
1. Brandan Campbell  5-11  215  Otsego  4.53
2. Trevor Sweeney  5-9  170  Mattawan  4.56
Anthony Czapek  5-10  163  Maple City Glen Lake  4.56
Reed Stormzand  6-2  215  Lowell  4.56
5. Geovante Weston  5-11  185  Kalamazoo Hacket  4.59
6. Curtis Smith  5-10  175  Detroit U-D Jesuit  4 .62
7. Michael Lewis  Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian  4.63
8. TJ Schepperly  5-9  175  Traverse City Central4.64
9. Trent Karcher  6-1  168  Chippewa Hills  4.67
10. Seth McIntosh  5-9  195  Grand Rapids Christian  4.69
Andon Ware  5-10  179  Baldwin  4.69
Richard Waite  5-10  160  Galesburg Augusta  4.69
JeWell Glover  6-0  195  Muskegon Reeths-Puffer  4.69