Elk Rapids QB Adam Trautman named 2014 LMFR Exposure Camp MVP
QB Adam Trautman 6-5 210 2015 Elk Rapids
RECAP: Trautman first caught our eye with a solid performance at our Grand Rapids combine back in March, but he delivered an MVP performance on Friday night in Traverse City. At QB, the 6-5 210lb Trautman showed a strong arm and made all the throws. Very rarely did the ball hit the ground when he was under center. Trautman also displayed great mobility when asked to move out of the pocket, which backed up his respectable 4.76 40-yard dash time and 4.4 pro-agility shuttle. He not only looks the part of a Division I quarterback, but he also plays it very well. As he embarks on the summer camp circuit, expect MAC schools to come calling. He reminds us of recent Jacksonville Jaguars pick and former University of Central Florida QB Blake Bortles. Trautman also excels in the classroom, maintaining a 3.8 GPA and 28 ACT. Congratulations to Adam on his MVP performance!
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: http://vimeo.com/89570211
Adam Trautman 2013 Season Highlights with off-season training from TMB Athletes on Vimeo.
2014 LMFR Exposure Camp All-Camp Team
Linemen go through drills during the third annual Lake Michigan Football Report Exposure Camp at Thirlby Field in Traverse City.
It was a great night at Thirlby Field for the 3rd annual Lake Michigan Football Report Exposure Camp. Lots of talented players came out to showcase their skills in front of college coaches, but only a dozen could make the All-Camp team. Check out this year’s crop of talented prospects!
QB Grant Klaver 6-1 205 2015 Okemos
RECAP: Grant Klaver had an impressive day throwing the football. He showed his entire arsenal as he zipped short passes into tight windows, threw well on the run, and also completed deep passes down the field from the pocket. His stock should continue to rise as he goes through the summer camp circuit. Expect him to draw a lot of interest from Division II and Division III programs.
VIDEO: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2398320/grant-klaver
OL Jacob Cerny 6-5 280 2016 Traverse City West
RECAP: Jacob Cerny is a physically imposing lineman and the latest lineman to emerge at Traverse City West. He performed well in the positions drills and showed good lateral movement in the shuttle. He’ll need to get a little stronger to transition to the next level, but he has a lot of potential to become a good college tackle.
VIDEO: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1722187/jacob-cerny
OL Derek Smith 6-4 250 2015 Kenowa Hills
RECAP: Derek Smith tested well and played well to make the All-Camp team. The lineman ran a sub-5.00 40-yard dash and turned in a pair of 4.7s in the pro-agility shuttle. At the next level, he projects well at offensive guard or defense end on the other side of the ball.
VIDEO: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1165520/derek-smith
DL TJ Patterson 6-3 260 2015 Reed City
RECAP: Patterson has a good motor and good size. He uses his quickness to his advantage when going up against O-Linemen. He played fundamentally sound and could find his way into the GLIAC with continued work.
DL James Mogford 5-11 260 2015 Elk Rapids
RECAP: While Mogford didn’t test off the charts, he played physical and was able to dominate his opponent quite often in the position drills and one-on-ones. He’s versatile enough to play on either side of the line.
LB James Gazarato 5-11 208 2015 Petoskey
RECAP: Showcased great strength and led the camp with most reps at 225lbs (15). Also showed good speed in the 40-yard dash, clocking a 4.76. Gazarato isn’t just a workout warrior, though. He showed good athleticism during position drills and was a notable force during 7v7 play.
LB Dion Burke 5-10 180 2016 Kingsley
RECAP: Burke played with really active hands during 7v7 and was able to run stride for stride with slot receivers. He has really good football instincts, which is a welcomed trait from a sophomore.
LB Montena Owczarzak 5-11 220 2015 Garber
RECAP: Owczarzak comes from a small school which you may not be able to find on a map, but after a strong showing and All-Camp recognition, coaches should take notice. He was always around the ball during 7v7 play and demonstrated good footwork during position and one-on-one drills. He’s the prototype size for a college LB.
LB/TE Dylan Wyman 6-1 210 2015 Grayling
RECAP: Dylan Wyman came in under the radar but tested solid and played even better. He was a ball hawk who played with good technique.
VIDEO: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2648927/dylan-wyman
RB Andre Jones 5-5 155 2016 Reed City
RECAP: Jones had a big day, showcasing great speed with a camp-leading 40-yard dash time, a blazing 4.49. He also put up 185lbs on the bench press 11 times. He shows great balance and has a really good feel for the game at running back. Jones has all the intangibles that coaches look for in a player and, despite his size, he has college football written all over him.
VIDEO: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3063549/highlights/73510387
RB Malik Smith 5-9 185 2016 Boyne City
RECAP: Malik Smith has been on the scene since starting on varsity as a freshman at RB and LB. Smith tested well, showing good speed and great strength. He clocked 4.60 in the 40-yard dash and lifted 225lbs for 9 reps. He was equally impressive in the drills, displaying great hands and good footwork.
VIDEO: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1733831/malik-smith
DB Zack McGuire 6-1 190 2015 Traverse City West
RECAP: McGuire is an athlete who tests well and plays well. He’s versatile, athletic, and has the coveted combination of size and speed. McGuire posted strong numbers across the board, clocking a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash, lifting 225lbs for 8 reps, and clocking the camp’s fastest pro-agility shuttle times on a wet field (4.09, 4.25). During one on one drills and 7v7, McGuire embraced man-to-man coverage and showed why he’s the best corner back in the north. He’s currently drawing interest the GILAC and MAC programs.
UP NEXT! 2015 Exposure Camp in Traverse City on May 8th!
The Lake Michigan Football Report is looking for college football prospects to showcase their skills at our next football exposure camp in Northern Michigan. Join us “under the lights” on Friday, May 8th, 2015, at beautiful Thirlby Field in Traverse City, MI! Click HERE for more details! Camp will be held rain or shine… this is football!
Each year, numerous high school student-athletes who have participated in our camps and combines go on to compete at the college level. Our most recent alumni include:
- Evan Akins: Navy (Hudsonville)
- Wyatt Batdorff: Hillsdale (Forest Hills Northern)
- Danny Bauder: Northern Michigan (Zeeland West)
- Jalen Brooks: Ferris State (Cadillac)
- Jake Brown: Michigan Tech (Comstock Park)
- Ryan Bush-Sienna Heights
- Ethan Campbell: Michigan Tech (Traverse City Central)
- Brandon Childress: Central Michigan (Baldwin)
- Dom Childress: Navy (Independence, Tenn.)
- Connor Conaboy: Butler (East Grand Rapids)
- Derek Diver: Michigan Tech (Traverse City West)
- Bobby Drew: Wayne State (Saugatuck/Holland)
- Kole Douglas-Defiance
- Andrew Duckett: Eastern Michigan (Niles Brandywine)
- Tristan Eickenroth: Ferris State (Kingsley)
- Steve Eipper: Central Michigan (Greenville)
- Zach Evans: Michigan Tech (Kenowa Hills)
- Kenneth Finley: Western Michigan (Muskegon)
- Tyler Gildersleeve: Michigan Tech (Traverse City Central)
- Thais Grays-Olivet
- Landon Grove: Ferris State (Gladwin)
- Ryan Gruzka: Saginaw Valley State (Comstock Park)
- Matt Hall: Hillsdale (Grand Rapids Christian)
- Chase Harrington: Northwood (Greenville)
- Colt Harrington: Northwood (Greenville)
- Jacob Howe: Grand Valley State (Forest Hills Northern)
- Will Hunt: Ferris State (Muskegon)
- Landon Kresnak: Saginaw Valley State (Mona Shores)
- Greg Krusniak: Ferris State (Greenville)
- Elliot Jordan: Western Michigan (East Kentwood)
- Malik King: Ball State (Muskegon)
- Drew Marion: Michigan Tech (Lake City)
- Blake Mazur: Wayne State (Comstock Park)
- Zack McGuire: Northwood (Traverse City West)
- Caleb McNitt: Hillsdale (West Ottawa)
- Lincoln Mulder: Ferris State (Holland Christian)
- Jaylen Schoenfield: Grand Valley State (Swartz Creek)
- Logan Slaughter: Western Michigan (Mendon)
- Connor Smith: Cornell (Three Rivers)
- Derek Smith: Central Michigan (Kenowa Hills)
- Travis Smith: Wake Forest (Ithaca)
- Mitchell Stanitzek: Central Michigan (Grand Rapids West Catholic)
- Will Stecker: Northern Michigan (Gaylord)
- Trevor Sweeney: Western Michigan (Mattawan)
- Nick Swore: Malone (Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian)
- Adam Trautman: Dayton (Elk Rapids)
- Trevor VanTubbergen: Wayne State (West Ottawa)
- Jared Vuksan: Northern Michigan (Gladwin)
- David Walker: Harvard (Harbor Springs)
- Marty Ward: Tiffin (Niles Brandywine)
- Rob Wolfington-Baldwin Wallace
- Shea Whitmore: Hillsdale (Petoskey)
- Alex Zimmerman: Hillsdale (West Ottawa)
#ThrowbackThursday Alumni Edition: Catching up with TJ Schepperly (TC Central / Northwood University)
All-Lake performer TJ Schepperly is continuing his football career at Northwood University after starring at Traverse City Central.
T.S. Quick Facts:
Height / Weight: 5’8 / 185
Current College: THE Northwood University
Current/Projected Position: Wing Back(running back)
Major: Marketing/Sports Management
High School Career Highlights: My number one highlight was being able to play my senior year with my little brother. Watching him grow and develop into something special makes me a proud brother. He was a huge part of our team’s success. The other highlight would just be doing what I love with the people I love. An amazing team, a great crowd and student section, and a community that came together as one big family. The support our team received throughout high school is what made it special.
LMFR: What positions did you play at the high school level? What position did you believe you would be playing at the collegiate level?
TS: In high school I went to Traverse City Central and played quarterback my junior and senior year. At the college level I had no idea what I wanted to play. Didn’t have much height for QB, never really played the DB position all that much and never showed that I could run between the tackles because most of my runs were to the outside. I guess I just went in with the mindset that I was willing to play anywhere. I currently play wing back after switching over from strong safety during the fall.
LMFR: What is your current major and what do you plan to accomplish with that major once you graduate? How do you balance academics and athletics?
TS: My current major is marketing. My plan is to double major with sports promotion management and hopefully do something where I’m involved with a major sports franchise. Balancing academics with athletics is tough if you don’t stay on track. You have to be disciplined in knowing that you’re at school, number one for an education and number two, to play football. There are study halls and tutors and the coaches are always there for you if you need help. But the biggest thing is constantly reminding yourself of why you are here, and that is school and football.
LMFR: How is college football different compared to the high school level?
TS: College football is definitely tough. Not only is everyone bigger, faster, and stronger, but the overall time commitment is very intense. It’s a year round game. some days are 12 hours of just football. Offseason does not exist in college. Between the regular season and spring ball you have winter conditioning and winter workouts. The summer is the only short time away from your team and that time is used to gain a step on your opponents while they’re enjoying their summer vacation. That’s also what makes it special, because the guys that do commit to it have a true love for the game of football and want to be successful.
LMFR: Weight lifting is such a vital part in transferring from high school to college athletics, how has weight lifting helped you perform better on the field and at your specific position?
TS: In high school I was lucky enough to have some of the best strength coaches at that level for the state of Michigan. They worked extremely hard to get our weight room where it’s at today. It’s definitely up there for one of the best facilities in high school in the state. They take their job very seriously and prepare us everyday just like they do at the collegiate level. If you want to compete on the field, then you have to work hard in the weight room. College is the exact same way. The workouts are slightly more position directed. For example, the running backs, receivers, and defensive backs are more speed and explosive lifts, while the lineman have heavier, more powerful lifts.
LMFR: As a high school student-athlete attending the Lake Michigan Football Report combine, what were some things you experienced during the event that helped you reach the collegiate level?
TS: Exposure. Getting your name out for coaches to see is a huge part of the recruiting game. If they recognize you as a junior, they will be able to see how you can perform come fall. The drills at the combine are the same type of drills the coaches ask you to do when you come for your workouts so that is another huge benefit. If you know what they are asking of you, you can practice it and perform well for the coaches.
Lake Michigan Football Report 