The 2012 high school football season is just around the corner and we felt now would be a good time to survey the best high school football prospects in the Midwest.
National top-40 players in the Midwest's top five include LB Jaylon Smith (ND verbal), QB Shane Morris (Michigan verbal) and CB Cam Burrows (OSU verbal)
We are calling it the Best Of The Midwest. (Kind of catchy, huh?)
We have defined the Midwest as the nine-state Big Ten area: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
We then took the most updated 247Sports.com top 247 prospect list and assembled a list of the region’s top 25 prospects.
As for a state-by-state breakdown of the Midwest’s top 25 prospects, we find that seven of them are from the state of Illinois. Six are from Ohio, while five are from Pennsylvania. Four prospects hail from Indiana, two from Michigan and one from Nebraska. There are no players on the list from Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Twenty-three of these 25 prospects have already issued verbal commitments with Michigan leading the way with seven. That may be one reason why Michigan checks in at No. 2 on the 247Composite team recruiting rankings.
Notre Dame and Ohio State are next with three prospects each. Penn State has verbals from two of these prospects. Clemson, Illinois, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Northwestern, USC and Wisconsin each have one verbal apiece from this list.
When you expand the list to include the next 20 Midwest prospects – a total of 45 overall – Michigan has verbals from a whopping 12 of them. Ohio State is next with six and Notre Dame has five in that top 45.
USC tops the current 247Composite team rankings, followed by Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Ohio State and Notre Dame in the top six.
Dorian Johnson checks in at No. 2 on Best of Midwest list
More schools from this nine-state region in the top 50 of these rankings include: Penn State (24th), Iowa (29th), Illinois (30th), Nebraska (33rd), Northwestern (34th), Wisconsin (37th), Pittsburgh (42nd), Cincinnati (44th) and Michigan State (49th).
We have enlisted the help of 247Sports’ national recruiting reporter Steve Wiltfong for his help in evaluating the best in the Midwest.
“As is the case every year, there are some elite players in the Midwest,” Wiltfong said. “There are a lot of guys capable of playing at BCS programs and in the Big Ten. If you look at the NFL draft, Ohio had more players drafted than Georgia. You can see the uptick of football being played in the Midwest.
“There is better coaching, there are better facilities and it is starting to show on draft day.”
Out of the region’s top 45 prospects, only seven of them have yet to make a verbal commitment. And that is with six full months remaining until national signing day next February.
“That’s the goal in recruiting now,” Wiltfong said. “Guys are taking more visits early in the process. That’s just the nature of the beast. Recruiting has been accelerated. The high school prospects are on college radars sooner. They are making their decisions earlier because of it.”
Below we have a look at our 25-man Best Of The Midwest team for 2013. Plus we look at others considered for the list, share the top seniors in each of the nine Midwest states, we take a quick peek at the Midwest’s top 10 prospects for 2014 and, finally, we look at where the Midwest’s best for 2012 enrolled (and will be on the field this fall).
Best Of The Midwest: 2013
Here is our Best Of The Midwest list for 2013 with each player’s national 247Sports.com and 247Composite rankings in parentheses and comments from Wiltfong on many of these players:
1. Jaylon Smith, LB
* National Rankings: Fifth nationally on 247Sports.com, ninth on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-3, 218 pounds
* High School: Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers
* College Choice: Verbaled to Notre Dame on June 2
* The Skinny: Smith is regarded as the nation’s No. 1 outside linebacker prospect. His brother, Rod, plays running back at Ohio State. He was a first-team all-state pick as a sophomore, when he tallied 11-1/2 sacks. He repeated as an all-state player last year as a junior with 51 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks. He was the MVP of the Columbus Nike Football Training Camp in the spring of 2011. He has already been selected as a U.S. Army All-American.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He’s the most athletic linebacker in the country. He is the full gamut when you’re talking about a guy at the linebacker position. He is big and tall and long at 220 pounds, 6-3 with a wingspan beyond 6-3. He is instinctive and always seems to be around the football. He always seems to get arms up in the passing lanes to make plays. He can cover, which separates him away from many of the other linebackers in the country. In the state championship game last year, he played nickel back. At The Opening, he was checking some of the nation’s best receivers. He breaks up passes and I’ve seen him at camps be almost unblockable coming off the edge. He’s going to be able to do a variety of things at Notre Dame.”
2. Dorian Johnson, OT
* National Rankings: 12th nationally on 247Sports.com, 81st on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-6, 268
* High School: Belle Vernon, Pa.
* College Choice: Verbaled to Penn State on June 24
* The Skinny: Johnson is rated as Pennsylvania’s top prospect and the nation’s No. 2 offensive tackle prospect by 247Sports.com. He picked Penn State over Pittsburgh, Ohio State and West Virginia. He may begin his college career as a guard, but could ultimately project as a left tackle.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He’s a specimen. He has the frame to continue to add more weight when he gets into a college strength and conditioning program. He’s flexible and he can bend. He can deliver that first blow. He’s a well rounded offensive tackle. He can run block and pass block.”
3. Shane Morris, QB
* National Rankings: 19th nationally on 247Sports.com, 16th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-3, 201
* High School: Warren (Mich.) De La Salle Collegiate
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on May 20, 2011
* The Skinny: Morris is rated as Michigan’s top prospect and as the nation’s No. 2 pro style quarterback by 247Sports.com. Morris was a standout at The Opening and Elite 11 camps this summer. As a sophomore, he threw for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns with five interceptions. Last year as a junior, he completed 121 of 235 passes for 1,684 yards with 19 TDs and seven INTs. Alabama, Auburn, Michigan State and others had offered.
* Wiltfong Comment: “Nobody has a stronger arm than Morris. Nobody has developed like he has over the last two years. He has been emerging. He had all the physical tools, but he wasn’t that great at reading and making all of the throws and knowing when to take something off the football. As he has grown over the last couple of summers, he was a well oiled machine at The Opening as he was spreading the ball around. The velocity is there. He’s a leader. Guys love playing with him and love being around him. Michigan is getting a good one and he has already contributed by being active on the recruiting front. The sky is the limit for him as a football player when he gets there.”
4. Robert Foster, WR
* National Rankings: 22nd nationally on 247Sports.com, 15th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-3, 190
* High School: Monaca (Pa.) Central Valley
* College Choice: Foster has over 20 offers. His top two may be Alabama and Pittsburgh with Ohio State and Michigan State also in the running. Other top offers include Michigan, Oregon, USC, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State and West Virginia.
* The Skinny: Rated as Pennsylvania’s No. 2 overall prospect and as the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver by 247Sports.com. Boasts 4.49-second speed in the 40-yard dash. He earned all-state honors as a sophomore, when he had 25 catches for 520 yards and seven touchdowns and also had three return touchdowns. Last year as a junior, he had 37 catches for 584 yards and five touchdowns receiving and two more scores on returns.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He is just a smooth receiver. He has strong hands. He’s big and explosive. He’s one of the top receivers in the country. He shined at the U.S. Army All-American combine. He will be a great get for somebody.”
5. Cameron Burrows, CB
* National Rankings: 40th nationally on 247Sports.com, 30th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-0, 195
* High School: Trotwood (Ohio) Madison
* College Choice: Verbaled to Ohio State on Jan. 19
* The Skinny: Rated as Ohio’s No. 1 prospect and as the nation’s No. 6 cornerback prospect by 247Sports.com. Boasts 4.5-second speed in the 40. Participated in The Opening this summer. Had offers from Cincinnati, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, Wisconsin and others before picking OSU. As a sophomore, Burrows made 64 tackles and intercepted six passes as Trotwood made it to the state championship game and finished with a 12-3 record. Last year, Burrows and his Ram teammates went 15-0 this past season, winning the Division II state championship. Burrows made 53 tackles and intercepted four passes in earning first-team All-Ohio honors. In the state title game win over Avon (42-28), Burrows had six tackles and two deflected passes. Holds a 3.6 GPA.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He can really cover. On the hoof, he is ready. He will show up at Ohio State ready to play. He had a lot of interceptions and a lot of highlight reel-type interceptions at The Opening. He was matched up with some of the nation’s best receivers and he more than held his own. He comes from a state championship team. He’s known nothing but success. When he gets to Ohio State, he will have a chance to make an impact right away.”
6. Adam Brenemen, TE
* National Rankings: 42nd nationally on 247Sports.com, 22nd on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-5, 227
* High School: Camp Hill (Pa.) Cedar Cliff Heights
* College Choice: Verbaled to Penn State on March 9
* The Skinny: Brenemen is rated as the nation’s No. 2 tight end and No. 3 prospect overall in Pennsylvania by 247Sports.com. He also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others before picking Penn State. In three years, he has 144 catches for 2,244 yards and 23 touchdowns. As a junior, he had 59 catches for 863 yards and eight TDs. Last year as a junior, he had 72 catches for 1,120 yards and 12 scores. He was an all-state pick as a sophomore and junior. He will play in the Under Armour All-American Game.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He is a complete tight end. You can line him up on the line of scrimmage and you can spread him out. He’s just a great route runner. Coach O’Brien at Penn State wants to run the same offense he ran at New England and the tight end is a big part of that offense. Adam will come in at a need position and be able to contribute there as a true freshman. He could be a four-year starter and as good a tight end as you’ll see in the country.”
7. Alex Anzalone, LB
* National Rankings: 43rd nationally on 247Sports.com, 46th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-3, 232
* High School: Reading (Pa.) Wyomissing
* College Choice: Verbaled to Notre Dame on July 8
* The Skinny: Anzalone is rated as the nation’s No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 4 prospect overall in Pennsylvania. He was a standout at The Opening this summer. He had previously verbaled to Ohio State before decommitting. He also had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Penn State and many others. He was an all-state pick as a junior, when he had 58 tackles on defense and 900 yards rushing on offense.
* Wiltfong Comment: “What stood out about him at The Opening was the fact he was always in the right spot. He has great instincts. He’s where he needs to be to make a play and he’s never out of position. He makes a lot of plays. At The Opening, he had a nice play where he intercepted a pass, made a guy miss and had a long return. He’s a physical kid who can play inside or outside linebacker. He’s part of the best linebacker class in the country going to Notre Dame.”
8. Laquon Treadwell, WR
* National Rankings: 50th nationally on 247Sports.com, 41st on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-3, 195
* High School: Crete (Ill.) Crete-Monee
* College Choice: Treadwell lists a top four of Michigan, Auburn, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. He also has offers from the likes of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, LSU, Notre Dame, USC and others.
* The Skinny: Treadwell is rated as the nation’s No. 5 wide receiver and as the top overall prospect in Illinois by 247Sports.com. He was one of the standouts at the Gridiron Kings camp this week in Florida. As a sophomore, he had 58 catches for 811 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a junior, he had 75 catches for 1,400 yards and 18 scores.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He really shined this summer at a couple camps as well as at The Opening. He catches the ball in traffic. He’s 6-3 and almost 200 pounds. He is rocked up and physically ready to play college football. The thing I liked about Laquon Treadwell is he is a football player. He played defensive end on his football team and had six sacks as a sophomore. He does whatever it takes to help his team win. He’s definitely unselfish.”
9. Dymonte Thomas, DB
* National Rankings: 59th nationally on 247Sports.com, 55th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-1, 190
* High School: Alliance (Ohio) Marlington
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on Sept. 10, 2011
* The Skinny: Thomas is rated as Ohio’s No. 2 prospect and as the nation’s No. 8 safety by 247Sports.com. Thomas boasts 4.5-second speed in the 40. He also had offers from Michigan State, UCLA, Tennessee, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame and Ohio State. As a junior, Thomas was a two-way star for Marlington. The Dukes went 8-2 and just missed the playoff field in Division III. He was a first-team All-Ohio pick as a defensive back. On offense, he had 837 yards and 13 touchdowns on 118 carries. He also had one receiving touchdown. On defense, he had 102 tackles. He carries a 3.5 GPA.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He has a chance to be special at Michigan. He’s a guy who played both ways at Marlington. Like Cam Burrows, he is physically ready to go. He has the size and speed you’re looking for at the safety position. He can come down and play near the line of scrimmage and he can also cover and deliver the smack to ball carriers. He can force turnovers with his physical size of play. He is a fantastic get for Michigan there.”
10. Darius Latham, OT-DT
* National Rankings: 68th nationally on 247Sports.com, 174th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-5, 291
* High School: Indianapolis North Central
* College Choice: Latham verbaled to Wisconsin on July 3
* The Skinny: Latham is rated as the nation’s No. 7 offensive tackle and the No. 2 prospect in Indiana overall. He also had offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others. He could project as an offensive or defensive lineman at Wisconsin. He was a standout performer at The Opening. He has also been a varsity basketball player since his freshman year.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He is going to start off in college as a defensive lineman. But I think his upside will be on the offensive line. I know Wisconsin likes his feet and the way he can move laterally. He weighed in at a good looking 292 pounds at The Opening. He will be an Indiana all-star in basketball as well. Once he starts focusing on football year-round, the sky is the limit.”
11. Ty Isaac, RB
* National Rankings: 69th nationally on 247Sports.com, 28th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-2, 215
* High School: Joliet (Ill.) Catholic Academy
* College Choice: Committed to USC on May 15
* The Skinny: Isaac is rated as the nation’s No. 6 running back prospect and as the No. 2 prospect overall in Illinois. He also had offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others. In three years, he has rushed for 3,954 yards and 55 touchdowns and also has seven receiving scores. He was a second-team All-USA pick by USA Today last year as he had 203 carries for 2,629 yards and 42 TDs and also caught 16 passes.
* Wiltfong Comment: “There may not be another running back in the country with better hands than Ty Isaac. He will be able to do a lot of things at the next level. He’s a big back who could play H-back or tight end at the next level. He will give USC a lot of versatility. He rushed for over 500 yards in a state championship game. He’s big-time as a running back or even as a jumbo athlete.”
12. Jalin Marshall, QB-WR
* National Rankings: 73rd nationally on 247Sports.com, 49th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-0, 190
* High School: Middletown, Ohio
* College Choice: Verbaled to Ohio State on Jan. 30
* The Skinny: Marshall is rated as the nation’s No. 4 athlete prospect and as the No. 3 prospect overall in Ohio. He boasts 4.4-second speed in the 40. He also had offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Notre Dame, Tennessee and others before picking OSU. He plays quarterback in an option-based offense at Middletown, but projects as a wide receiver at the college level. Marshall has been Middletown’s starting quarterback for the last two seasons, helping the Middies post a 20-3 record and two Division I playoff bids in that period. As a sophomore, he helped lead Middletown to a 10-1 record at quarterback. He completed 55 of 112 passes (49.1 percent) for 693 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also had 1,426 yards on 173 carries (8.2 average) and scored 17 touchdowns. As a junior, he led the Middies to a 10-2 record. He completed 46 of 105 passes (43.8 percent) for 782 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed 237 yards for 1,859 yards (7.8 average) and 20 touchdowns. He hit the 100-yard mark in eight of his 12 games and also had five 200-yard rushing games. Boasts a 3.8 GPA.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He’s a quarterback in high school. Once he is able to focus on being a receiver at the college level, he has all of the tools you need to be an elite player. The thing that stands out about Jalin is how explosive he is from zero to 10 yards from side to side. He is as quick as anybody. He can make people miss. I expect him to be a big-time player at Ohio State.”
13. Kyle Bosch, OG
* National Rankings: 78th nationally on 247Sports.com, 62nd on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-5, 305
* High School: Wheaton (Ill.) St. Francis
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on Feb. 18
* The Skinny: Bosch is rated as the nation’s No. 4 offensive guard and as the No. 3 overall prospect in Illinois by 247Sports.com. He had a number of other offers, including Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame and many others. Bosch was an all-state pick as a junior. He participated in The Opening this summer.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He boasts a 440-pound bench press. He is just one of those old school, blue collar, hard-nosed interior offensive linemen. He comes to the field ready to fight on every snap. He’s a mauler. He’s a guy who likes to get into defenders and punish them.”
14. Ethan Pocic, OT
* National Rankings: 84th nationally on 247Sports.com, 47th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-7, 280
* High School: Lemont, Ill.
* College Choice: Verbaled to LSU on May 29
* The Skinny: Pocic, whose older brother Graham plays at Illinois, is rated as the nation’s No. 9 offensive tackle and No. 4 overall prospect in Illinois by 247Sports.com. He also had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and others.
* Wiltfong Comment: “Ethan is a big, good looking, long-armed offensive lineman. He had offers from just about everybody. He’s nasty and plays with a mean streak. He can get bigger. He has all the tools. He is explosive. He is just a well-rounded offensive lineman.”
15. Aaron Bailey, QB
* National Rankings: 87th nationally on 247Sports.com, 125th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-2, 210
* High School: Bolingbrook, Ill.
* College Choice: Verbaled to Illinois on April 26
* The Skinny: Bailey is rated as the nation’s No. 3 dual threat quarterback and as the No. 5 prospect overall in Illinois by 247Sports.com. He picked Illinois over Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin and others. In two years, he has accounted for 62 touchdowns (44 rushing, 18 passing). As a junior, he threw for 1,039 yards and 10 TDs and also rushed for 1,983 yards and 30 scores. He has been a varsity standout since his freshman year. Also a fine baseball player.
* Wiltfong Comment: “That was a great get for Illinois. He had some big-time offers. He’s a 6-2, 210-pound kid who can run a 4.4. He can hurt you with his legs and his arm. He has worked hard as a quarterback. He has a really strong arm. He led his team to a state championship as a junior. As Coach Beckman looks to get Illinois back on track, getting guys like Aaron Bailey is huge.”
16. Taco Charlton, DE
* National Rankings: 90th nationally on 247Sports.com, 137th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-6, 245
* High School: Pickerington (Ohio) Central
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on Feb. 18
* The Skinny: Charlton is rated as the nation’s No. 3 weakside defensive end and as the No. 4 overall prospect in Ohio by 247Sports.com. He also had offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Notre Dame and others before picking Michigan. As a junior, he helped lead Pickerington Central to the Division I state title game and an 11-3 record with 60 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, seven passes deflected and two forced fumbles. As a sophomore, he had 35 tackles and seven TFLs. He participated in The Opening this summer.
* Wiltfong Comment: “I’m high on him because of his size and athleticism. He’s a guy that could easily get up to 280 pounds. He’s long and, again, I like his balance and the way he moves.”
17. Logan Tuley-Tillman, OT
* National Rankings: 101st nationally on 247Sports.com, 131st on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-7, 300
* High School: Peoria (Ill.) Manual
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on Feb. 19
* The Skinny: Tuley-Tillman is rated as the nation’s No. 11 offensive tackle prospect and as the No. 6 prospect overall in Illinois by 247Sports.com. He had offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, USC, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others. He has been selected to play in the 2013 Under Armour All-American Game. He played for Team USA in the IFAF 19-U World Championships in Texas.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He is a really good athlete for his size. He moves well laterally. He is a punishing defensive lineman. He could use a year in the weight room to re-shape his body. But he is one of the elite prospects. Michigan is getting another good one.”
18. Elijah Daniel, DE
* National Rankings: 120th nationally on 247Sports.com, 87th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-4, 250
* High School: Avon, Ind.
* College Choice: Verbaled to Clemson on June 17
* The Skinny: Daniel is rated as the nation’s No. 8 strongside defensive end and as the No. 3 overall prospect in Indiana. He picked Clemson over the likes of Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma and others. He helped Avon post a 10-2 record as a junior. As a sophomore, he had 55 tackles, 10 TFLs and five sacks. He participated in The Opening this summer.
* Wiltfong Comment: “Daniel has about as good a burst as anybody in the country. He is a physical defensive lineman and a great get for Clemson. His brother, Martez Robinson, was the SEC freshman of the year a few years ago. He has all the same ability if not more. He is a good looking kid on the hoof. When that ball is snapped, he fires out and he explodes toward the quarterback. He is also a strong kid.”
19. David Dawson, OG
* National Rankings: 122nd nationally on 247Sports.com, 122nd on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-5, 280
* High School: Detroit Cass Tech
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on Feb. 18
* The Skinny: Dawson is rated as the nation’s No. 7 offensive guard and as the No. 2 overall prospect in Michigan by 247Sports.com. He also had offers from Alabama, Florida, USC and many others. He played his first two seasons at Detroit Cass Tech before a family move brought him down to Houston (Texas) Cypress Ridge as a junior. He has transferred back to Cass Tech for his senior season. He participated in The Opening.
* Wiltfong Comment: “Dawson fills the same niche as Kyle Bosch. He lines up to fight people every snap. Michigan is getting two of the nastiest and meanest offensive linemen in the country. David loves playing football and he has worked hard to make himself into the prospect he is. He has lost 20 pounds and looks great at that 280-pound range. He has all the ability.”
20. Tim Kimbrough, LB
* National Rankings: 128th nationally on 247Sports.com, 129th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-0, 228
* High School: Indianapolis Warren Central
* College Choice: Verbaled to Georgia on July 13
* The Skinny: Kimbrough is rated as the nation’s No. 3 inside linebacker and as the No. 4 overall prospect in Indiana by 247Sports.com. He also had offers from the likes of Arkansas, Cincinnati, Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma and others. As a sophomore, he had 39 tackles and two sacks. He was an all-state performer with 176 tackles, 7-1/2 sacks and 27 TFLs.
* Wiltfong Comment: “When Kimbrough hits you, paint chips fly. He is a young man who can lay the wood. He can cover as well. He flies around and makes plays. He’s an inside ‘backer most likely on the next level. That’s where he fits best. He has the hips to cover, but he excels at punishing ball carriers that come into his area.”
21. Malik Zaire, QB
* National Rankings: 135th nationally on 247Sports.com, 111th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-1, 185
* High School: Kettering (Ohio) Alter
* College Choice: Verbaled to Notre Dame on March 25
* The Skinny: Zaire is rated as the nation’s No. 5 dual threat quarterback and the No. 5 overall prospect in Ohio by 247Sports.com. Alabama, Cincinnati, IIlinois, Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin and others had offered. He is a left-handed dual threat quarterback. As a junior, he rushed for 1,100 yards and passed for 1,058. He accounted for 22 touchdowns.
* Wiltfong Comment: “He projects as a quarterback and he has all of the tools Brian Kelly is looking for in his offense. He shined at the Elite 11 regional camp. He has a strong arm. He can throw from the pocket and also on the run. He’s one of the top athletes in this class. He could help a football team in a number of ways. But he is certainly a quarterback recruit.”
22. Evan Lisle, OT
* National Rankings: 147th nationally on 247Sports.com, 100th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-5, 260
* High School: Centerville, Ohio
* College Choice: Verbaled to Ohio State on Feb. 28
* The Skinny: Lisle is rated as the nation’s No. 13 offensive tackle and as Ohio’s No. 6 prospect overall by 247Sports.com. Alabama, Cincinnati, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and West Virginia had all offered Lisle. He started his sophomore season at tight end though he moved to tackle at times. Lisle played offensive right tackle during his junior season. He is a tenacious blocker who has good feet. He will likely play offensive tackle in college, though guard is not out of the question.
23. Patrick Kugler, C
* National Rankings: 151st nationally on 247Sports.com, 74th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-4, 270
* High School: Wexford (Pa.) North Allegheny
* College Choice: Verbaled to Michigan on Feb. 25
* The Skinny: Kugler is rated as the nation’s No. 2 center prospect and as the No. 5 prospect overall in Pennsylvania. Kugler picked Michigan over offers from Boise State, Florida, Florida State, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pittsburgh and others. He projects as either a guard or center at Michigan. He holds a 3.4 GPA.
* Wiltfong Comment: “Pat Kugler could play all three offensive line positions, but I think he will be a guard at Michigan. He is a coach’s son. His dad is an assistant for the Steelers. He is a technician who knows how to play on the offensive line.”
24. Tyler Lancaster, C
* National Rankings: 160th nationally on 247Sports.com, 717th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-3, 260
* High School: Plainfield, Ill.
* College Choice: Verbaled to Northwestern on June 8
* The Skinny: Lancaster is rated as the nation’s No. 3 center and as the No. 7 prospect overall in Illinois by 247Sports.com. He also had offers from the likes of Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan before verbaling. He raised his recruiting stock with a fine showing at The Opening.
25. Josh Banderas, LB
* National Rankings: 162nd nationally on 247Sports.com, 266th on 247Composite
* Height, Weight: 6-2, 215
* High School: Lincoln (Neb.) Southeast
* College Choice: Verbaled to Nebraska on April 12
* The Skinny: Banderas is rated as the nation’s No. 6 inside linebacker and No. 1 overall in the state of Nebraska by 247Sports.com. He also had verbals from Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State and Vanderbilt before choosing Nebraska. As a junior, Banderas tallied 124 tackles and four sacks. He also forced four fumbles.
More Seniors Considered
Here are 20 more seniors who were considered for the Best Of The Midwest list (national 247Sports.com rankings in parentheses):
* David Williams (168th nationally by 247Sports.com), RB, Philadelphia Imhotep Institute – Williams (6-0, 195) lists Penn State and South Carolina over Tennessee and Wisconsin.
* Ben Gedeon (178th nationally), LB, Hudson, Ohio – Gedeon (6-3, 220) has verbaled to Michigan.
* Michael McCray (179th nationally), LB, Trotwood (Ohio) Madison – McCray (6-4, 230) has verbaled to Michigan.
* Jacob Matuska (185th nationally), TE, Columbus Hartley – Matuska (6-5, 240) has verbaled to Notre Dame.
* Josh Augusta (193rd nationally), DT, Peoria, Ill. – Augusta (6-5, 295) is considering offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame and others.
* Riley Norman (196th nationally), OT, Cadillac, Mich. – Norman (6-7, 320) is favoring Michigan State. He also lists Michigan and Oregon.
* Billy Price (200th nationally), DT, Austintown (Ohio) Fitch – Price (6-4, 300) has verbaled to Ohio State.
* Matt Alviti (219th nationally), QB, Park Ridge (Ill.) Maine South – Alviti (6-1, 180) has verbaled to Northwestern.
* DeVeon Smith (222nd nationally), RB, Warren (Ohio) Howland – Smith (5-11, 210) has verbaled to Michigan.
* Steven Elmer (223rd nationally), OT, Midland, Mich. – Elmer (6-6, 315) has verbaled to Notre Dame.
* Jayme Thompson (226th nationally), S, Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic – Thompson (6-2, 190) has verbaled to Ohio State.
* Gareon Conley (229th nationally), CB, Massillon (Ohio) Washington – Conley (6-1, 172) has verbaled to Michigan.
* Chikwe Obasih (232nd nationally), DE, Brookfield (Wis.) Central – Obasih (6-4, 260) has verbaled to Wisconsin.
* Mitch Trubisky (234th nationally), QB, Mentor, Ohio – Trubisky (6-3, 195) has verbaled to North Carolina.
* Shelton Gibson (243rd nationally), WR, Cleveland Heights, Ohio – Gibson (5-11, 173) seems to favor Ohio State and Auburn over the likes of Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Michigan State and others.
* Donovan Munger (245th nationally), DT, Shaker Heights, Ohio – Munger (6-4, 285) seems to favor Ohio State over the likes of Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and others.
* Courtney Love (unranked), LB, Youngstown (Ohio) Mooney – Love (6-1, 215) has verbaled to Nebraska.
* Tracy Sprinkle (unranked), DE, Elyria, Ohio – Sprinkle (6-4, 250) has verbaled to Ohio State.
* Jake Butt (unranked), DE-TE, Pickerington (Ohio) North – Butt (6-6, 225) has verbaled to Michigan.
* Darron Lee (unranked), QB-Athlete, New Albany, Ohio – Lee (6-3, 205) has verbaled to Ohio State.
State-By-State Top Prospects
Here are the top three 2013 prospects in each of the nine Midwest states:
* Illinois – WR Laquon Treadwell, RB Ty Isaac, OG Kyle Bosch.
* Indiana – LB Jaylon Smith, OT Darius Latham, DE Elijah Daniel.
* Iowa – LB Trevon Young, TE Jon Wisnieski, OT Jake Campos.
* Michigan – QB Shane Morris, OG David Dawson, OT Riley Norman.
* Minnesota – WR James Onwualu, LB Jack Cottrell, CB Malik Rucker.
* Nebraska – LB Josh Banderas, RB Michael Minter, DT Nathan Bazata.
* Ohio – CB Cameron Burrows, S Dymonte Thomas, QB-Athlete Jalin Marshall.
* Pennsylvania – OT Dorian Johnson, WR Robert Foster, TE Adam Breneman.
* Wisconsin – DE Chikwe Obasih, Ath Austin Ramesh, Ath Alec James.
Midwest’s Best 2014 Prospects
Here is an early look at the Midwest’s top 12 prospects for 2014 as listed here by 247Sports.com (national rankings in parentheses):
* Dante Booker (19th nationally), LB, Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary -- Booker (6-3, 210) has offers from Ohio State (early favorite), Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Penn State.
* Malik McDowell (23rd nationally), DE, Detroit Loyola -- McDowell (6-7, 296) has offers already from Michigan (early favorite), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Stanford and others.
* Clifton Garrett (41st nationally), LB, Plainfield, Ill. -- Garrett (6-2, 215) seems to be favoring Michigan State, Ohio State and Notre Dame over Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and others.
* Craig Evans (51st nationally), DT, Sun Prairie, Wis. -- Evans (6-3, 305) lists Wisconsin as his early favorite over Michigan State, Nebraska, Pittsburgh and others.
* Davonte James (73rd nationally), LB, Springfield, Ohio -- James (6-3, 220) already has an offer from Georgia Tech and is also considering Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
* Drake Harris (83rd nationally), WR, Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian -- Harris (6-4, 180), a two-sport athlete who also excels in basketball, committed to Michigan State on June 27. He picked the Spartans over the likes of Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Purdue and Ohio State.
* Jeff Jones (84th nationally), RB, Minneapolis (Minn.) Washburn -- Jones (6-0, 195) already has offers on the table from Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
* Derek Kief (85th nationally), WR, Cincinnati LaSalle -- Kief (6-5, 185) has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois and Toledo and is also interested in Ohio State.
* Allen Lazard (87th nationally), Athlete, Urbandale, Iowa -- Lazard (6-4, 195) has offers from Iowa, Iowa State and Nebraska. He also lists interest in LSU and Michigan.
* DeShone Kizer (91st nationally), QB, Toledo Central Catholic -- Kizer (6-5, 207) has offers from the likes of Boston College, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville and Nebraska. He is also interested in Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
* Michael Ferns (94th nationally), LB, St. Clairsville, Ohio – Ferns (6-3, 238) lists Michigan (early favorite) over Notre Dame, Penn State and other offers from the likes of Boston College, Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
* Dareian Watkins (96th nationally), Athlete, Galion, Ohio – Watkins (6-2, 184) has offers from Illinois and various MAC schools. He also lists interest in Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oregon, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others.
Where They Signed: 2012 Best Of The Midwest
Here is where the top 25 Midwest prospects in the 2012 class signed in February. They will be true freshmen at their respective schools this fall (national rankings from 247Sports.com are in parentheses):
* Ohio State (8 signees) -- DE Noah Spence (12th nationally), DE Adolphus Washington (20th), Armani Reeves (81st), DB Devan Bogard (117th), RB Brionte Dunn (132nd), LB Joshua Perry (173rd), LB David Perkins (177th), DT Tommy Schutt (181st).
* Michigan (6 signees) – LB Joe Bolden (58th), OG Kyle Kalis (61st), DE Chris Wormley (72nd), LB James Ross (116th), CB Terry Richardson (142nd), Athlete Dennis Norfleet (169th).
* Notre Dame (2 signees) – QB Gunner Kiel (24th), DT Sheldon Day (80th).
* Wisconsin (2 signees) – OG Dan Voltz (53rd), LB Vince Biegel (180th).
* Michigan State (1 signee) – WR Aaron Burbridge (85th).
* Northwestern (1 signee) – OLB Ifeadi Odenigbo (98th).
* Pittsburgh (1 signee) – RB Rushel Shell (60th).
* Auburn (1 signee) – OT Jordan Diamond (70th).
* Virginia Tech (1 signee) – RB Drew Harris (125th).
* Nebraska (1 signee) – DE Greg McMullen (139th).
* Rutgers (1 signee) – OT Chris Muller (147th).
- Steve Helwagen
- National Reporter - Bucknuts