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.