Class of 2014
Danny Bauder  5-9  185  RB  Zeeland West
It was known that Bauder was a burner. Regional sprint titles and 4.4 flat every time he turned in a 40 established that well enough. But could he play football? Detroit Country Day certainly thinks so. West whipped the Yellowjackets up front, and Bauder ripped them on their own turf for 170 yards consisting largely of four TD runs of at least 30 yards. When South Christian won the 2012 D4 state title 40-7, their skill guys made Country Day look slow. Bauder’s about a half-second faster than any of those Sailors, so this one wasn’t even fair. Zeeland West won 44-28. While you’ll never know it in ZW’s offense, Bauder can catch the ball too. He’s being recruited by Ferris State and Grand Valley State. Look for there to be silly stats from Bauder and the Dux’ other backs all fall playing in the O-K Green. The first string will probably score every possession against the likes of the two Holland schools.

Will Brockman    6-1  170  Sr  RB  Central Lake
Mancelona graduated a star runner in Wyatt Derrer, now at Siena Heights, but the Ski Valley isn’t bereft of backs. Brockman was all-league as a junior. He goes both ways for Central Lake, and was their leading rusher with 118 yards on 12 attempts and leading tackler as a linebacker with 10 in a season-opening loss to Pickford. Brockman is athletic, for sure. His 39″ standing vertical leap was the best at any Lake Michigan Football Report event in 2013.

John Hall  6-0  195  Sr  LB  Muskegon
Some might project him as a DB because of his size, but would be best as a weakside linebacker. A tough hitter in run support, Hall had 69 tackles last season. He can fill the gap, catch scrambling QBs and finish open field hits. With an improved secondary, the LBs like Hall and Will Hunt are freed to do even more damage. He teed off in Muskegon’s big win at Grand Haven, with four tackles behind the line including a sack and a 42-yard interception return for a TD after he and senior cornerback Jordan Waire initially juggled the ball between themselves. Hall went both ways and led Muskegon with four catches.

Cooper Mojsiejenko  6-4  215  Sr  TE  Bridgman
Few may know it with him playing down on the Hoosier border, but Mojo is one of the top returning receivers in the Lake Area after a junior season in which he had 51 catches for 905 yards and seven TDs. He plays wide receiver in Bridgman’s spread but projects as a tight end, the pass-catching hybrid that is in vogue. Runs sharp routes with down-field speed, and while no Kyle Steigenga in the air, can high-point the ball. Whether Mojsiejenko can block remains to be seen. Right now he’s more likely to run the ball on a reverse (Cooper also had two rushing TDs in 2012) than square up on a sam linebacker. He’s a three-way star in high school. In addition to the receiving prowess his junior year, Mojsiejennko was an all-state kicker and defensive end with five sacks.

Darohn Scott  6-8  225  Sr  DL  Grand Rapids Christian
The Lake Area is full of athletes who could be either scholarship football or basketball players. Drake Harris is the obvious one. But there’s also Cadillac QB Jalen Brooks, Muskegon QB Deshaun Thrower, Holland Christian receiver Kyle Steigenga, Comstock Park tight end Drake Baar who has committed to Grand Valley for hoops, and then there’s Scott. Last year he saw spot duty on the grid, but still had a knack for coming up with sacks. He had two of them on All-Lake QB Jon Wassink, coming strong off the end as Tommy Doles ate up attention in the middle of the line as the Eagles blew out South Christian. If he develops the toughness and motor for college football, Scott’s size, quick-twitch athleticism and attention span scream big-time pass-rush specialist should he forgo mid-major college bball.

Alec Stevens  6-5  280  Sr  OL  West Branch Ogemaw Heights
He’s the leader of Ogemaw’s potent ground game, which won its opener with Hastings at Alma College. Stevens is everything you need from your tackle in a split-back veer, reading the five technique end and working up to bury the linebacker. Pass blocking technique is where he’ll need attention at the college level. Always barrel-chested and naturally strong, now Stevens is weight room big too up 15 pounds from his junior season. He has an offer from Ferris State, and Iowa and Michigan State want to see the video of the Hastings game. In a class full of MAC/MAC+ level talent at its positions, Stevens is one of the top offensive line prospects in the Lake Area.

2014 Offensive Line Prospects
1. Jordan VanDort  6-5  300  Sr  Zeeland West  Western Michigan
2. Tommy Doles  6-5  260  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian  Northwestern
3. Connor Hayes  6-4  280  Sr  Traverse City West  Pittsburgh
4. Malik King  6-4  270  Sr  Muskegon  Ball State
5. Elliot Jordan  6-7  250  Sr  East Kentwood  Western Michigan
6. Nick Padla  6-5  270  Sr  Berrien Springs  Michigan State
7. Alec Stevens  6-5  280  Sr  West Branch Ogemaw Heights
8. Hunter Lassiter  6-4  255  Sr  Portage Central  Central Michigan
9. Evan Atkins  6-6  285  Sr  Hudsonville  Navy
10. Austin Labus  6-6  300  Sr  Portage Northern  Bowling Green

Class of 2015
Nate Couturier  5-10  140  Jr  WR  Allendale
Michigan State could use someone this right now — a receiver who can, well, receive. Couturier is an Agim Shabaj or Wes Welker type, with all kinds of YACability in the O-K Blue where he can wiggle through linebackers and outrun defensive backs. He’s an all-state hurdler who ran a 4.6 40 as a soph at our March combine, and easy to see him becoming a consistent 4.5 guy as he matures. Small but can take a hit and does a good job tucking it in. Couturier is also a kick return threat. He had one set up a TD in Allendale’s opening win against Hudsonville Unity Christian, and also scored two of his own amongst his six catches for 142 yards.

Carter Masek  6-3  215  Jr  LB  East Grand Rapids
EGR’s next streak of playoff seasons began with its opener, a win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central. For once it’s not a running back but a linebacker that is the marquee recruit from the Pioneer. He already has an offer from WMU and visited MSU last Friday, where the host team beat those same Broncos. Makes reads like you wants from a mike linebacker and could be one of two terrific ones from GR in the junior class, along with GR Christian’s Jack Bates who also has a Western Michigan offer. Masek distinguished himself against Catholic Central with his pass coverage on smaller receivers when the Cougars had to play come-from-behind. Down the line, could see him growing into a defensive end.