It’s State Championship week! Since these are the state championships, only Michigan’s best teams, remain. Well, to be the best, you oftentimes have to have the best players. Here are six top prospects to watch this weekend- three for Friday, and three for Saturday!
Friday
WR/ATH | Antonio Sobush | Riverview Gabriel Richard | Highlights Link
Not committed – Plays at 9:30AM
Antonio is an extremely underrated player in Division 8. In fact, he may be the best player in Division 8 football. Antonio is utilized in a wide variety of ways, but he’s most commonly utilized as an outside receiver or RB.
- Far superior athleticism to just about any D8 DB
- Excellent open-field elusiveness
- Explodes out of his stance
- A must-watch player in the early game!!!
- Excited to see what Antonio does against a truly great Beal City defense
ATH | Kadale Williams | Jackson Lumen Christi | ’23 Championship Highlights Link
Central Michigan Commit – Plays at 4:00PM
If you like watching an elite running back, you need to watch the Division 6 State Championship. Over the past two years, Kadale Willaims has lit up the State Championship scoreboard. I fully expect him to do it again!
- -1000000 anytime touchdown scorer (he’s going to score)
- Put up insane stats during 2023 and 2022 State Championships
- Mainly utilized as a 3-down RB, but can also play receiver
- Near-elite open-field elusiveness
- Elite contact balance, especially for his size
- WILL have a few beastmode-type runs
ATH | Landon Tungate | Byron Center | Highlights Link
Not committed – Plays at 7:00PM
For three years now, Landon has been one of the most dynamic QBs in Michigan. This year, he’s elevated his game to a new level. His style of play is a gigantic reason why Byron Center is in the State Championship, and a huge reason why a lot of people think Byron Center will win.
- Amazing pocket presence. Avoids sacks.
- Great off-schedule playmaker
- Improved a tremendous amount passing from the pocket
- Elite competitiveness; leader and sparkplug
- Hard-nosed runner
- Used to think of him as a solid D3 prospect; now think he’s a low GLIAC guy with a ton of upside
Saturday
DT | Derrick Simmons | Frankenmuth | Highlights Link
Michigan State Commit – Plays at 4:00PM
Michigan State fans- you have a good reason to watch the Division 5 State Championship. It’s rare that such a standout talent plays for such a small school, but that’s exactly what we have with DT Derrick Simmons. Here’s what I think he does best.
- Elite power
- Anchors down and doesn’t get moved, even when double-teamed
- Ideal size; perfect for future B1G 10 football (6’3″ 265)
- Explodes off the ball
- Gets into backfield quickly and destroys inside runs
- An offensive coordinator’s worst nightmare
RB | Michael Dukes | Detroit MLK | Highlights Link
Not Committed – Plays at 12:30PM
Zeeland West has a sneaky-good defense, and Detroit MLK will need to make the most of every offensive drive. I think the key to offensive success will be running back Michael Dukes.
- Lightning in a bottle
- Explodes out of his stance
- Lethal once he gets to the second-level
- Great 50-yard rushing TD in the Semifinals vs. Mason
- Has improved vision and patience a lot this season; follows blocks
- Could very well be a future Power 4 player
EDGE/TE | John Baker IV | Cass Tech | Highlights Link
Toledo Commit – Plays at 7:00PM
A giant key for the Cass Tech defense will be stopping the run. If they’re able to stop the run and get off to an early lead, then the pass rush could be what puts the nail in the coffin for Hudsonville. John Baker IV is a key part of both run-stopping and pass-rushing- and could be the difference between a State Championship Victory or bitter defeat.
- Extremely athletic, especially for his size (6’6″ 220)
- Bendy around the edge; too quick for most tackles
- Large tackle radius
- A key piece in stopping runs just outside the tackles
- Can contribute as a TE on offense