The Lake Michigan Football Report’s Northern Michigan Exposure Camp in the past two seasons saw prospects like David Walker (Harbor Springs/Harvard) and Traverse City West’s Jacob Cerny, who has MAC and Illinois offers, show out and begin their ascent to become highly coveted prospects. While there may not have been any singular player with that kind of talent at the 2015 workout in Traverse City, there were numerous future college players competing on Thirlby Field under the eyes and tutelage of GLIAC, MIAA and NAIA coaches.

The highest-ranked player coming in was Cadillac’s versatile two-way junior Michael Holdship. An All-Lake Area D lineman, and standout running back, from the Vikings, he’s probably a Mike linebacker in the GLIAC and trending towards the MAC as Holdship ran 4.62 in the 40 at 6-0, 215. He was part of a strong contingent of Big North linebackers. Traverse City West junior Jack Mikula has an ideal frame at 6-2, 200 and didn’t just run well in the 40, 4.58 seconds, but showed game speed as he was smooth and closed well in pass coverage drills. Petoskey’s 5-11, 194 junior Brent Murray tested very well at the Lake Michigan Football Report Spring Combine in Grand Rapids, and looked good on the field here. The linebacker ran a 4.85 40 while showing the hands to make him a possible fullback at the next level. The Northmen were well-represented as 5-9, 160 defensive back Garrett Lundteigen had a 4.62 40 and 6-1, 240 sophomore Craig Ladd has some potential.

Another standout Big North defender, and just a sophomore, is TC Central defensive back John Pupel. 6-1, 180, he ran a 4.68 40 and 4.28 pro agility. His offensive counterpart as a promising 2017 receiver was Kody Burton, a 6-3, 165 sophomore from Bridgeport. Lanky and smooth more than a blazer, but did a good job high-pointing the ball.

The fastest 40-yard dash in TC belonged to Andre Jones, 4.55 seconds. Last fall he and Jon Green gave Reed City one of the Lake Area’s top rushing backfields regardless school size. Jones looks more than equipped to carry a larger load in 2015. In one-on-ones he repeatedly slipped behind defenders to pull in long throws. The top underclassman playmaker was Joshua Atwell, a 5-11, 170 sophomore from Grandville who had the fastest pro shuttle in camp, 4.15 seconds, and ran a 4.65 40. He makes plays as a kick returner, runner and receiver and looks capable of filling Brian Cappiello’s role with the Bulldogs as the finesse big-play complement to big back Nolan Meekhof, a top 10 senior in the Lake Area. The coaches really liked another Grandville sophomore at camp 6-1, 250 lineman Levi Seeley. Another outstanding playmaker was Jacob Mitrak, a 5-10, 186 junior who made the trip from L’anse Creuse North. He was quick in and out of routes and may project best as a slot receiver.

Of all the offensive linemen at camp, Harbor Springs’ 6-3, 265 junior Jacob Lechner may have had the most ideal frame. Add some strength and toughness to the mix and the GLIAC could come calling. A more compact, physical and finished 2016 line prospect was Nate Lay, a 6-0, 250 junior right out the Zeeland West run-block, two-way cloning booth. He and Lechner had a couple good standoffs in one-on-ones. 6-2, 285 Fremont junior Cameron Seitsma was another wide-body who still moved well and could have a future on either side as an interior lineman. Kingsley junior Jeffrey Pearson is an undersized center but really scrapped and showed surprising strength when he locked on.

After two overloaded QB classes, there are a dearth of college-tracked signal callers in the Lake Area’s 2016 class. That makes Traverse City St. Francis’ 6-2, 195 junior Joe Coates intriguing. He had the camp’s top time in the pro shuttle, 4.15 seconds. Less surprising than under center is finding a promising young player on the Gladiators’ offensive line, and there is such a candidate in 6-3, 280 sophomore Dominic Hathaway. He looked more comfortable at guard than tackle and was pretty consistent keeping his hands in and getting some punch. He took coaching well and applied it, and perhaps not coincidentally has a near 4.0 gpa.

At 5-9, 270, Sault Ste. Marie junior nose tackle and center Chase Bouscher looked the the UP’s answer to Mona Shores senior Tyler Tippens. His 17 reps of 225 pounds were four more than the next nearest, Skyler Dunckley a 5-11, 255 Travere City West junior.

Onekama’s Jonas LaMont, a 6-2, 190 junior, represented the small school ranks well, as he had the pass rush variety and polish more likely found at a Class A school. Another small school kid who has the goods to do it anywhere, running the ball, is Mancelona’s 5-8, 185 junior Chase Ritchie, who ran 4.69 seconds in the 40 and accelerated well after the catch.

Just like his two older brothers, Boyne City junior Tanner Kruzel is versatile, athletic and tough. He’s 6-1, 200 and ran a 4.7 40. A couple 2017 QBS who had their moments were Dillon Schwark, a lanky 6-3, 180 Harbor Springs soph, and Manistee newcomer Tai Allen who ran a 4.7 40 and showed a strong arm. He’s two inches and some consistent coaching away.

All-Camp Team
Offense
OL Levi Seeley  6-1  250  So  Grandville
OL Jacob Lechner  6-3  265  Jr  Harbor Springs
OL Dominic Hathaway  6-3  280  So  Traverse City St. Francis
OL Cameron Seitsma  6-2  285  Jr  Fremont
OL Jacob Cabinaw  6-1  265  Jr  Traverse City Central
QB Tai Allen  5-11  160  So  Manistee
RB Andre Jones  5-6  165  Jr  Reed City
RB Joshua Atwell  5-11  170  So  Grandville
TE Tanner Kruzel  6-0  200  Jr  Boyne City
WR Jacob Mitrak  5-10  186  Jr  L’anse Creuse North
WR Kody Burton  6-3  185  So  Bridgeport