DL Nate Umlor  6-5  260  Sr  Allendale: A row the boat loyalist who will be a rare four-year varsity starter. Just as rare, his combination of brawler toughness and athletic quickness on the line. Caught four TDs as a tight end.

DL Johnathan Berghorst 6-3  270  Sr  Zeeland East: A two-way force against one of the Lake Area’s toughest schedules in 2015, Berghorst now leads Zeeland East out of the Black into the O-K Green. A CMU commitment who projects as a plus-athlete at D tackle at the next level.

DL Jayk Slager  6-5  235  Sr  Zeeland West: Flashed big-time potential last season for the D4 state champion Dux, playing on the opposite end from Lake Area Defensive MVP Zack VanValkenburg. But even garnering more blocking attention, Slager has the explosion and wingspan to still mix things up. Goes both ways and with Conner Chupailo forms the state’s top tight end duo.

LB Andrew Ward  6-1  215  Sr  Muskegon: A closer at middle linebacker who can defend sideline to sideline, Ward made 83 tackles in 2015. He has offers from the likes of Nebraska, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Arizona and Washington State.

LB Dalton Agers  5-10  185  Sr  Hudsonville: With the graduation Rockford’s Tyler Bradfield, Agers becomes the top two-way threat in the O-K Red. He’s led Hudsonville in tackles for two seasons, and rushing one.

LB Corey Malone-Hatcher  6-3  245  St. Joseph: The Michigan pledge is one of the state’s most highly regarded prospects, he’s just played a limited amount of high school football because of injuries.

LB Connor Bruinius  6-2  220  Sr  Forest Hills Northern: He filled a leadership void when senior QB Jake Martin was injured last year and the Huskies returned to the playoffs. This will be his third season starting at both running back and linebacker.

DB Brayden Smith  6-4  180  Sr  Byron Center: Athletic playmaker recruited to WMU as a safety. He made 53 tackles, caught 10 TDs and was an all-state punter.

DB Walker Christoffersen  5-10  180  Sr  Muskegon Catholic Central: Shifty runner with soft hands who dominated both ways for the D8 champions. Christoffersen made two picks in the 2015 state final to help preserve a 7-0 win over Waterford Lakes.  

DB Blake Dunn  5-11  175  DB  Saugatuck: Four-sport all-stater is the top athlete from this nook of the Mitten since Richie Jordan. Dunn had 84 tackles and seven interceptions as a junior, while dominating the other way as a QB who 2.700 yards and 36 TDs while throwing for 1,000 and 18 TDs. He’s committed to WMU for baseball.

DB  David Fox  6-1  220  DB  Grand Rapids West Catholic: The Falcons’ best all-around player when healthy, which Fox was in the 2015 D5 state final when he ran for 152 yards and three TDs against River Rouge. Built like a linebacker and moving like a safety, Fox can also play QB, running back and receiver. He made three interceptions as a junior, two as a sophomore.