Class of 2016

Christian Bos  5-10  165  Sr  Hudsonville Unity Christian: Prototype wing-T back who will eventually break one for 65-yards up the middle. Bos is a 1,000-yard rusher for playoff-bound Unity Christian. Smooth cut-back runner between tackles who will get physical with or without the ball when he has to. Doesn’t have the physique of go-to college running back, he’ll likely make his way as a cover and return man.

Pat Naughton  6-2  210  Sr  QB  Comstock Park: The Panthers have now made the playoffs six straight seasons. They’ve had just two QBs during that span, Jake Brown, now at Michigan Tech, then Naughton. The latter is a true-to-the-times shotgun wristband reader who is on pace to throw for 5,000 career yards, and has earned even more respect this season playing with a beat up ankle. He’s a much more efficient passer this season, with favorite targets Nick Turowski and Monterio Smith. Naughton has such a rapport, and is really able to spot it to Turowski. Good athlete who runs for the down marker not out of panic. Can step up in the pocket to complete throws and will also stand in and follow through while being hit. Coaches will have to determine actual arm strength. He’s the best senior QB in the Lake Area.

Top 10 Senior QB Prospects

1. Pat Naughton  6-2  210  Sr  Comstock Park
2. Spencer Peterson  6-5  220  Sr  Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian
3. Jake Martin  6-0  190  Sr  Forest Hills Northern
4. Ryan Stevens  6-2  175  Sr  Lowell
5. Lucas Fotis  6-2  190  Sr  Grand Rapids Christian
6. Jacob Buchberger  6-1  185  Sr  Montague
7. Evan Whitmore  6-3  210  Sr  Petoskey
8. Dante Razzano  6-2  190  Sr  Edwardsburg
9. Jon Olsson  6-3  190  Sr  East Grand Rapids
10. Wade Buckman  6-6  210  Sr  Holland

Jean Pierre Nkolo  6-3  220  Sr  DL  East Kentwood: We were high on him last year with real flashes in condensed playing time. Nkolo rarely comes off the field now, as he moves up and down EK’s D line on both short and long yardage situations, and also starts offensively at left tackle with Trenton Fincher injured. His usage rate speaks well to how JP’s taken to the coaching. Still looking to define himself as a player, a calling card, so continue to like his potential.

Kurtis Schultz  6-3  225  Sr  DL  Grand Rapids West Catholic: He’s the lithe counterpart to West Catholic’s other defensive end and offensive tackle, Carl Myers. Schultz is both a run blocker and run stopper. Plays in both three- and four-man fronts. Not as patient as Myers containing runners. Quick hands and shows speed whether getting to loose balls or pursuing upfield.

Monterio Smith  5-10  180  Sr  RB  Comstock Park: He’s as dangerous as any back in the Lake Area when you get Smith the ball and some space. Adds double damage as he can beat tacklers one-on-one while remaining patient for blocks even as plays develop downfield. Versatile, CP will use him on straight go routes and he can make over-the-shoulder catches. You don’t have to take him out for power yardage, as Smith can accelerate and cut between tackles.

Chris Veenstra  6-6  245  Sr  DL/TE  Wyoming: Wyoming has the Lake Area’s fastest player, senior Michael Williams. He had the game-winning, 65-yard TD against Forest Hills Northern. That was only the Wolves’ second loss but they’ve fought hard all year in the O-K Bronze and Williams has some help. Veenstra is one of the Lake Area’s high-return sleeper prospect. The length and motor immediately stand out. He’s raw, but has great measurables and where he starts to separate is how hard he plays, the buy-in and contributions offensively, defensively and on special teams. Throws himself into blocking assignments and when it comes together just unloads. As he sharpens his technique and routes,Veenstra intrigues at a bunch of positions.

Class of 2017

Jake Bouma  6-3  200  Jr  QB  Grandville Calvin Christian: He had a huge day in Calvin’s win over Kelloggsville, completing 24-of-47 throws for 376 yards and five TDs. He was due, a month before NorthPointe Christian picked off Bouma five times. To even it out tells you a bit about the kid right there. Bouma will certainly get looks in the spring and summer as he has the frame for it, and will get his reps with how Calvin Christian plays.

Sam Neville  6-3  195  Jr  WR/DB  Grand Rapids West Catholic: Very similar to Muskegon junior Jacorey Sullivan, as they move so well and close on the ball covering a bunch of space with long strides and wingspan. Neville knows how to use his body catching balls on slant routes and shows an extra gear with quick acceleration out of wide receiver screens. He and senior Conner Nemmers are ideal targets for Gaetano Vallone, the Falcons’ talented sophomore lefty QB. Another trip to Ford Field for West Catholic and it’s easy to see all kinds of college camp invitations coming his way.

Turner Ruby  6-4  285  Jr  OL  East Kentwood: Likely a guard in college, he’s EK’s right tackle. The Falcons also use Ruby as a tight end to down block in short yardage situations. He’s a competent, methodical run blocker who tends to play high. He competed well against one of the Lake Area’s top pass rushers two weeks ago, Gabe Bauman, who gave Ruby some trouble with wingspan, repertoire, second effort and hashline-to-hashline speed.