1. KEVIN GRADY, RB, EAST GRAND RAPIDS (2001-2004): While Grady did not carry over his success into college at the University of Michigan, nobody can deny what he did on the high school level. A four-year starter at running back, Grady helped lead the Pioneers to a 49-3 record and two Division 3 state championships. He was also the most productive back ever in Michigan high school football, as he scored a state-record 924 points, 138 points more than the second-best point scorer. He scored a state record 151 career touchdowns and is also the all-time rushing leader in the state with 8,431 career yards, 618 yards more than the second-best total.
2. MILL COLEMAN, QB, ALBION/FARMINGTON HARRISON (1986-1989): There was a reason Coleman was called “The Thrill,” and high school football fans will never forget the electricity that he generated. A winner who could beat you with his arm or his legs, Coleman led Harrison in three Class B state title games, of which he won two. He finished his career with 7,464 passing yards, but it was his “big-play” ability on the high school level that has not been seen since.
3. TYRONE WHEATLEY, RB, DEARBORN HEIGHTS ROBICHAUD (1987-1990): From a pure talent level, few players could match the gifts that Wheatley brought to the football field. With linebacker size and world-class speed, he was a threat to go the distance every time he touched the ball. Wheatley finished his career with 70 career touchdowns and 484 points and went on to success at the University of Michigan and with the NFL’s Los Angeles Raiders.
4. LAMARR WOODLEY, LB, SAGINAW (1999-2002): Woodley had the rare ability to dominate a football game from the defensive side of the ball and was part of the renaissance of Saginaw High School football in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2002 he was rated the No. 4 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com. He chose the University of Michigan, where he earned all-American honors and was the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Woodley continues to make his mark in high school football in Saginaw through his various philanthropic endeavors.
5. EARL MORRALL, MUSKEGON (1949-1951): Few quarterbacks can match the legacy of Morrall. In 1951, he led the Big Reds to a state championship, as he threw for what was then a school-record 851 yards and 11 touchdowns. Morrall was a nationally-recruited quarterback. He picked Michigan State University over the Universities of Michigan and Notre Dame and led it to the 1955 Rose Bowl title. After college, Morrall had a 21-year NFL career that included winning the 1968 NFL MVP award and being part of three Super Bowl champion teams.
6. BRAD VAN PELT, LB, OWOSSO (1967-1969): One of the greatest all-around athletes to ever come out of Michigan, VanPelt was an all-state quarterback in 1969 who also earned all-conference honors on defense and all-state honors in basketball and baseball. He was a three-sport letterman at Michigan State University and a two-time football all-American who won the Maxwell Trophy. VanPelt went on to a stellar NFL career and was a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker.
7. RICK LEACH, QB, FLINT SOUTHWESTERN (1972-1974): As one of the finest quarterbacks produced in the state, Leach led one of the greatest high school teams of all time, the 1974 Flint Southwestern squad. The team finished with a perfect season, as Leach passed for 1,668 yards and 23 touchdowns in an era dominated by the ground game. Leach went on to start at quarterback for four years at the University of Michigan in the golden era of Wolverine football under Bo Schembechler and was a three-time Heisman Trophy finalist.
8. CHARLES ROGERS, WR, SAGINAW (1997-1999): While his NFL career left much to be desired, and his potential may not have been reached in college at Michigan State University, there is no denying that Rogers was arguably the most dangerous wide receiver in the history of Michigan high school football. He finished his high school career with 2,525 career receiving yards and 40 career touchdown receptions.
9. T.J. DUCKETT, QB/RB/LB, KALAMAZOO LOY NORRIX (1996-1998): A rare combination of size and speed, Duckett was a Parade all-American in 1998. He was also named the National Player of the Year by Superprep magazine, as he totaled 102 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles. On offense, he rushed for 1,623 yards (11.2 yards average) and threw for 920 yards and nine touchdowns. During his junior year, Duckett totaled 140 tackles and three sacks while accounting for 2,080 total yards and 20 touchdowns. He went on to play at Michigan State University and was drafted 18th overall in the NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons.
10. JEROME BETTIS, RB/LB, DETROIT MACKENZIE (1987-1989): The top player in the state in 1989 and a high school all-American, Bettis went on to fame with the University of Notre Dame in college and the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. A dominating linebacker and fullback in high school, Bettis led Mackenzie to the West Division title in the Detroit PSL and to a state playoff berth. However, one of his proudest high school memories was being inducted into the National Honor Society, where he served as sergeant-at-arms.
11. MARK INGRAM JR., RB, GRAND BLANC/FLINT SOUTHWESTERN (2005-2007): The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner while attending the University of Alabama, Ingram enjoyed a sparkling high school career. He transferred to Southwestern his senior year and opened the 2007 season by establishing a new Flint rushing record, when he ran for a city-record 319 yards and four touchdowns. Ingram ended his senior year with 1,699 yards and 24 touchdowns and currently plays for the New Orleans Saints.
12. BENNIE OOSTERBAAN, DE, MUSKEGON (1921-1924): Arguably the first ‘super prep’ athlete from the state of Michigan, Oosterbaan was an all-state end in football for the Muskegon Big Reds and was also a basketball and baseball star. At the University of Michigan, he was a three-time all-American football player, and a two-time all-American basketball player who led the Big Ten in scoring. He also led the Big Ten in batting average on the baseball team. Oosterbaan became a successful football coach, who guided the University of Michigan to the 1948 national championship.
13. RON KRAMER, DE, EAST DETROIT (1951-1953): One of the greatest football players and athletes in University of Michigan history, Kramer was an all-state player in high school and a three-time all-American while at Michigan. In 1999, Sports Illustrated named him the seventh greatest sports figure from the state of Michigan. He played in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.
14. DON COLEMAN, OL/DL, FLINT CENTRAL (1954): Coleman played only one year of high school football, but it was memorable, as he earned all-state honors and helped lead Flint Central to a state championship. He went on to Michigan State University, where he was the first African-American football player. Although he weighed only 180 pounds, Coleman was a dominating offensive and defensive lineman who is regarded to this day as the greatest Michigan State University football player ever. He was also the first Michigan State football player to have his uniform retired.
15. BRANDON GRAHAM, LB, DETROIT CROCKETT (2003-2005): Graham was one of the most decorated high school players in state history. After making all-PSL in Detroit as a sophomore, he was a two-time all-state player who also earned numerous all-American honors as a senior, including being named a captain of the U.S. Army Bowl game. Graham was an all-American at University of Michigan and was drafted in the first round by the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.
16. STUART SCHWEIGERT, QB/S, HERITAGE (1997-1999): An outstanding high school athlete and football player, Schweigert was a top 100 recruit in the nation coming out of high school. He signed with Purdue University, where he was a four-year starter before playing in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders. He is Purdue’s all-time leader in interceptions with 17. As a senior at Heritage, Schweigert ran for 1,502 yards and scored 22 touchdowns as an option quarterback who passed for over 500 yards. He recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions on defense. Schweigert defeated Charles Rogers in the 100-meter dash in the Division 1 track & field finals in a time of 10.45 seconds.
17. PAUL KRAUSE, WR/DB, BENDLE (1957-1959): Krause was an all-state football, basketball, and baseball player at Bendle. He played both wide receiver and defensive back at University of Iowa and was an eight-time Pro Bowl player for the Minnesota Vikings. A member of the professional football Hall of Fame, Krause holds the NFL record for interceptions in a career with 81.
18. STEVE SMITH, QB, SWARTZ CREEK/GRAND BLANC (1978-1980): A high school all-American quarterback known for his outstanding, sprinter speed, Smith was an underrated passer. In 1979, he passed for a then Flint-area record 1,926 yards and 26 touchdowns in the time before spread offenses. Smith led Grand Blanc to a 9-1 record in 1980 and a Flint-area record 462 points. He went on to University of Michigan, where he was a three-year starter at quarterback who led the Wolverines to a pair of Rose Bowls and set whata was then the single-season passing yardage record.
19. CARL BANKS, LB, BEECHER (1976-1979): A dominating defender and all-state player for the Buccaneers, Banks is one of the greatest high school players ever from the city of Flint. He went on to an all-American career at Michigan State University and was selected all Big 10 three times. Banks played 12 seasons in the NFL and was part of two Super Bowl championship teams along with being named a member of the all-decade team for the 1980s.
20. JAKE LONG, OT, LAPEER EAST (2000-2002): Long was a dominant blocker in high school. During his three-year career, he never allowed a quarterback sack and graded 90% or higher each year. At defensive end, he totaled 213 career tackles and added 11 quarterback sacks. Long was an all-American offensive tackle at the University of Michigan and has played for the Miami Dolphins and the St. Louis Rams during his six-year NFL career.
21. JOE DE LAMIELLEURE, OL, ST. CLEMENT CATHOLIC (1967-1969): One of the finest offensive guards to ever play the game, DeLamielleure was a six-time Pro Bowl player for the Buffalo Bills after graduating from Michigan State University. He was part of the “Electric Company” offensive line that blocked for O.J. Simpson.
22. DREW STANTON, QB, FARMINGTON HARRISON (2000-2001): Stanton led Harrison to back-to-back 14-0 seasons and two state titles during his two years at the helm. A prep all-American and all-state selection, Stanton finished his high school career completing 234 of 357 passes (65%) for 5,293 yards and 58 touchdowns. He went on to star at Michigan State University and later played for the Detroit Lions.
23. TERRANCE TAYLOR, DL, MUSKEGON (2001-2004): Few defensive players were as talented at Taylor. A four-year varsity player, Taylor totaled 100 tackles as a freshman and had 25 sacks over his final three years. As a senior, he helped lead Muskegon to the state title. In the 2005 all-star game, he scored two defensive touchdowns. Taylor played at University of Michigan and later in the NFL with Carolina and Detroit.
24. KIRK GIBSON, WR, WATERFORD KETTERING (1972-1975): Gibson played high school football long before the Internet and recruiting services became major cottage industries. Those who saw Gibson play in high school were treated to something special. His size (6’3″, 230 pounds) and sprinter speed were known to few, and he almost attended Central Michigan University before Michigan State University jumped into the game late and the rest was history.
25. JON RUNYAN, OT, CARMAN-AINSWORTH (1995-1997): Runyan was a standout in both track & field and football for the Cavaliers. A dominating offensive lineman, he went on to star at the University of Michigan and then in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles.
26. DREW HENSON, QB, BRIGHTON (1995-1997): Few stars shined as brightly on the baseball field and football field than Henson’s while at Brighton. Along with hitting legendary, tape-measure home runs, Henson was one of the top prep quarterbacks in the nation. He threw for 2,072 yards in 1996 and finished his career with 5,662 yards. Henson played in college at University of Michigan and then played pro football with the Dallas Cowboys and pro baseball with the New York Yankees.
27. BRENT CUMMINGS, RB, BELDING (1995-1998): Few offenses were as explosive as Belding’s wing-T offense in the 1990s. Belding reached its zenith when Cummings was piling up yards at a record clip. Cummings finished his career with 85 touchdowns and helped to lead the Redskins to the 1995 state title before continuing his career at the University of Michigan.
28. KEITH NICHOL, QB, LOWELL (2003-2006): Nichol enjoyed one of the most productive high school careers by a Michigan prep quarterback. As a sophomore, he passed for 2,125 yards and 26 touchdowns in leading the Red Arrows to the 2004 Division 2 state title. As a senior, Nichol passed for 2,225 yards and 31 touchdowns. He finished his career with a record of 33-3; 6,550 passing yards; 76 passing touchdowns; 3,100 rushing yards; and 58 rushing touchdowns.
29. MARK DELL, WR, FARMINGTON HARRISON (2004-2006): Dell was a winner who could dominate games from his wide receiver position. A member of two state title teams, he finished his career with 2,488 receiving yards and 34 touchdown passes.
30. MIKE KOSTER, WR, LOWELL (2002-2004): Even though Lowell is known for running the ball, few receivers were as efficient as Koster. He holds the career record for receptions in the state with 214. A member of the 2002 state championship team, Koster caught 86 passes for 1,305 yards that year. He is second in career receiving yards with 3,666 and third in career touchdown receptions with 42.
31. KIRK ELLSWORTH, RB, GOODRICH (2002-2004): Ellsworth set a record that will be hard to top when he scored 379 points in 2004. That total is 73 points higher than the next-highest point total. Ellsworth scored a state-record 32 touchdowns in 2004, kicked 57 PATs, scored on a pair of two-point conversions, and kicked two field goals. For his career, Ellsworth totaled 632 points, good for fifth place all-time.
32. TERRY EURICK, RB, SAGINAW ARTHUR HILL (1971-1973): Eurick was an all-state running back while part of the 1973 Arthur Hill team, a team that is thought to be the finest ever in Michigan high school football. Eurick rushed for 984 yards and scored 20 touchdowns. He went on to play at University of Notre Dame, where he was a tri-captain on the 1977 National Championship team, and he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated after Notre Dame’s win over University of Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
33. PAUL WALDERZAK, OT, SAGINAW ARTHUR HILL (1971-1973): Like Eurick, Walderzak was a member of the 1973 Arthur Hill team that outscored its opponents 433-0. Walderzak was an all-state tackle, and he went on to play tackle in for University of Nebraska. After college, he returned to Michigan, has coached Standish-Sterling Central High School for the past 36 years, and is a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
34. TONY DUNGY, QB, JACKSON PARKSIDE (1971-1973): Although he is better known as the Super Bowl winning coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Dungy was an outstanding high school athlete. He was a three-year starter at quarterback and was all-state in both football and basketball. He later starred at the University of Minnesota before a lengthty NFL career as a defensive back.
35. JOHN MILLER, RB/DB, FARMINGTON HARRISON (1981-1984): A prep all-American, Miller was the premier player in the state of Michigan in the early 1980s. An outstanding running back, he also finished his career with 20 interceptions and scored the only touchdown in Harrison’s 7-0 win over Muskegon Catholic Central in the 1981 Class B state title game. He went on to a successful career at Michigan State University.
36. RANDY KINDER, RB, EAST LANSING (1990-1992): Kinder combined good power with outstanding speed and was one of the top high school running backs in the country in 1992. He rushed for 2,464 yards his senior year before moving on to University of Notre Dame. His junior year in high school, Kinder ran the ball 27 times for 150 yards and scored a touchdown in East Lansing’s Division 2 state title game victory over Brother Rice.
37. BENNY CLARK JR., RB, RAVENNA (1993-1996): Clark was one of the greatest small-school runing backs in state history. Along with helping Ravenna win a pair of state titles, Clark finished his career with the third-highest yardage total in state history with 7,212 yards rushing. He rushed for 2,680 yards and scored 248 points in 1996.
38. CHRIS ROBINSON, RB, OVID-ELSIE (2006-2009): Robinson was a small-school phenom who scored 99 career touchdowns (fourth-best in state history). He finished his career with 604 total points and scored 250 points in 2009. He achieved the third-highest rushing season ever in 2008 with 2,844 yards and led Ovid-Elsie to the Division 5 state final. Robinson also totaled a state-record 27 straight 100-yard rushing games.
39. SAM SWORD, LB, SAGINAW ARTHUR HILL (1991-1993): An all-state linebacker, Sword was part of Arthur Hill’s 1991 state championship team and 1992 state runner-up team. He went to University of Michigan, where he was part of the Wolverine’s 1998 National Championship team and finished his career third on the all-time tackles list with 265. Sword also played four years in the NFL with the Colts and the Raiders.
40. CALVIN O’NEAL, LB, SAGINAW (1969-1971): A two-time all-state linebacker, O’Neal averaged 14 tackles per game his senior year and was MVP of the Saginaw Valley League. He went on to be a two-time all-Big 10 linebacker at University of Michigan, where he was team captain in 1976. He is a member of the Saginaw County Hall of Fame.
41. BRETT LESNIAK, RB, DOWAGIAC (1996-1997): Lesniak was the centerpiece of a Dowagiac team that dominated football in southwestern Michigan in the mid-1990s. In 1996, he rushed for 2,239 yards and scored 37 touchdowns, as the Chieftains reached the state semifinals. Lesniak also set a school record with a 374-yard rushing game. For his two-year varsity career he totaled 4,418 yards and scored 70 career touchdowns.
42. STEVE MARRIUCI, QB, IRON MOUNTAN (1971-1973): The Upper Peninsula has produced plenty of talented players, with “Mooch” being perhaps the best quarterback to ever come out of the North country. Marriuci was an all-Upper Peninsula football and basketball player. A three-time all-American in college, Marriuci led Northern Michigan University to the 1975 Division 2 National Championship.
43. ERIC BALL, RB, YPSILANTI (1982-1984): Ball was a rare combination of size and speed at running back. At 6’1″ and 215 pounds, Ball possessed breakaway speed and was a high school all-American along with being an all-state back for Ypsilanti. He went on to play college football at UCLA, where tied a Rose Bowl record with four touchdowns against University of Iowa in 1986 before playing six years in the NFL with Cincinnati.
44. MARVIN WRIGHT, QB/DB, SAGINAW ARTHUR HILL (1990-1992): Arthur Hill was one of the premier teams in the state in the early 1990s, led by the dangerous Wright at quarterback. An all-state quarterback who could win with his arm or his legs, Wright led Arthur Hill to a state title in 1991 and a state runner-up finish in 1992. He then went on to play defensive back at Michigan State University.
45. MARK CATLIN, QB/DB, LOWELL (2000-2002): Catlin was one of the finest two-way players in Lowell history. Blessed with outstanding athletic ability, he was at his best in big games, as he led Lowell to the 2002 Division 2 state title. He passed for 2,634 yards in 2002 and as a defensive back finished fourth all-time in the state with 24 career interceptions.
46. RICHIE JORDAN, RB, FENNVILLE (1962-1964): The “Fennville Flash” was not just a basketball legend, although in that sport, the 5’7″ Jordan averaged 44.1 points per game and was a high school all-American. However, he was also a football standout, who earned high school all-American football honors and was a three-time all-state player. Jordan set a career rushing record with 5,132 yards and scored 47 career touchdowns in an era when teams played a nine-game schedule with no playoffs. He also ran for 2,010 yards as a senior.
47. NICK HILL, RB, CHELSEA (2006-2009): Hill was dynamite in a small package. The 5’7″ Hill totaled 103 career touchdowns, third all-time. For his career , he finished with 630 points. Hill also finished sixth all-time in career rushing with 6,910 yards before moving on to Michigan State University.
48. TOM DEVINE, OE/LB, LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC (1968-1969): The Titans have produced a number of state champions over the years, but Devine is without a doubt the finest Titan of all time. He was a hulking offensive end and linebacker who dominated on both sides of the football. He was voted the United Press International (UPI) Player of the Year as both a junior and as a senior. Devine went on to play at University of Notre Dame, but injuries short-circuited his career.
49. ROBERT JACKSON, RB, ALLENDALE (1973-1976): Jackson put up some gaudy numbers during his senior season in 1976, when he scored 217 points in nine games, an average of four touchdowns per game. He went on to success at Central Michigan University before a lengthy NFL career as a safety with the Cincinnati Bengals.
50. DAVE YAREMA, QB, BROTHER RICE (1980-1981): Yarema was the premier quarterback in the state in the early 1980s. As a junior, he led Brother Rice to the Class A state title and earned all-state honors the following year. He went on to start at Michigan State University as a freshman and is still in the top 10 in many Spartan passing categories.
51. PAUL JOKISCH, WR, BROTHER RICE (1980-1981): The 6’8″, 240-pound Jokisch teamed up with Yarema to form one of the most imposing pitch-and-catch duos in state history. The two combined on a 38-yard touchdown pass for the only points in the 1980 Class A state title game, where Brother Rice defeated Dearborn Fordson 6-0. Jokisch was the No. 1 recruit in 1981 and went on to a career as both a basketball and a football player for the Wolverines.
52. ANDRE RISON, WR, FLINT NORTHWESTERN (1982-1985): One of the greatest all-around high school athletes to come out of Flint, Rison was a dynamic wide receiver in high school along with being an all-state guard in basketball. He broke numerous receiving records at Michigan State University before a 12-year NFL career that included helping the Green Bay Packers win the 1997 Super Bowl.
53. PETE METZELAARS, TE, PORTAGE CENTRAL (1975-1977): At 6’8″, Metzelaars was a dominant receiver in high school who earned all-state honors and led his team to the 1977 Class A state title game. Overlooked by major colleges, Metzelaars went on to an all-American career at Wabash College in Indiana in both basketball and football. He then played 16 years in the NFL, primarily for the Buffalo Bills, where he was a three-time Pro-Bowl player and a member of four Super Bowl teams.
54. MAX BULLOUGH, LB, TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS (2007-2009): Bullough was a three-year starter and two-time all-state selection who helped St. Francis win back-to-back state titles in 2008-09. He was Division 7 Player of the Year as a senior, when he totaled 137 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 466 yards (11.7 yards/carry) and four touchdowns and was a high school all-American linebacker. He totaled 102 tackles as a junior and 97.5 as a sophomore.
55. SONNY GRANDELIUS, RB, MUSKEGON HEIGHTS (1944-1946): The Muskegon Heights Tigers were a major high school football power in the 1940s, and Grandelius was one of the best Tigers ever. He led his team to the 1945 state title as a quarterback, and in 1946 he switched to fullback, earned all-state honors, and again led the Tigers to a state title. Grandelius went on to Michigan State University, where he earned all-American honors as a senior, when he rushed for 1,023 yards.
56. NICK PERRY, DE, DETROIT MACKENZIE/DETROIT KING (2004-2007): As a senior at Detroit King, Perry recorded a state record 36 sacks along with 147 tackles, as he helped lead King to the Division 1 state title. As a tight end, he caught eight touchdown passes. During his junior year at Mackenzie, Perry totaled 75 tackles and 11 sacks. He was named the MVP of the all-state Dream Team and was a first-team all-USA Today pick. Perry went on to be a an all-Pac 10 selection at Univversity of Southern California and was drafted in the first round by the Green Bay Packers.
57. REGGIE MACKENZIE, OL, HIGHLAND PARK (1965-1967): The finest high school player ever produced at Highland Park, Mackenzie was a three-year starter at the University of Michigan and was an all-American in 1971. He went on to a 13-year NFL career, primarily with the Buffalo Bills, where he was a two-time Pro Bowl player. Mackenzie is a member of both the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
58. TODD LYGHT, WR/DB, POWERS CATHOLIC (1985-1986): Lyght earned all-state and all-American honors his senior season. As a receiver, he caught 34 passes for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns, while at defensive back, he intercepted 10 passes. A two-time all-American at University of Notre Dame, Lyght was a part of Notre Dame’s 1988 National Championship team. He was drafted fifth overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 1991 and was a two-time Pro Bowl player and member of the 1999 St. Louis Rams Super Bowl championship team.
59. BOOKER MOORE, RB, FLINT SOUTHWESTERN (1974-1976): One of the greatest running backs to ever come out of Flint, Moore broke every rushing record in the city during his high school career. A two-time all-stater, he broke his own record as a senior when he rushed for 1,263 yards and led the Colts to a 9-0 record and the ranking as the state’s No. 1 team. Moore played at Pennsylvania State University, where he became the school’s fifth-leading career rusher. He was the No. 1 draft choice of the Buffalo Bills.
60. MARK BRAMER, TE, TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL (1973-1975): An all-state tight end, Bramer helped lead the Trojans to a No. 1 ranking and to the Class A final in the first year of the state playoffs in 1975. He went on to enjoy a productive career at Michigan State University and then played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills.
61. BRAD JONES, TE/LB, EAST LANSING (2001-2003): Jones was a dominant presence at linebacker with his combination of size and speed. One of the Lansing area’s best linebackers ever, he was also a leading receiver in the area as a senior and was runner-up as the state player of the year. Jones was a standout in college at University of Colorado and is currently playing in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers.
62. RON JOHNSON, WR, MUSKEGON (2003-2006): RoJo was a big-play receiver who led his team to perfect 14-0 seasons and state titles in both 2004 and in 2006. He totaled over 1,600 all-purpose yards in 2006, as he caught 26 passes for 700 yards (26.9 yards/reception) and seven touchdowns. The top recruit in Michigan his senior year, he picked USC over Texas, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame.He was selected in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
63. RICKY BRYANT, WR, FARMINGTON HARRISON (1995-1998): Bryant was a big-play receiver, who finished his career with 132 receptions for 2,665 yards and 33 career touchdown receptions. In the 1998 Division 2 state title game against Hudsonville, he hauled in six passes for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also added an interception. He was part of two state title teams. Bryant then played at Ohio State University and Hofstra University and won a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots.
64. JOSH THORNHILL, LB, LANSING EASTERN (1994-1997): A four-year starter for the Quakers, Thornhill was a dominant defensive force, who totaled 151 tackles as a junior and 150 as a senior. He was one of the premier players in the state in 1997 and earned Parade and USA Today all-American honors. He went on to play at Michigan State University, where he was a two-time all-Big 10 linebacker.
65. TONY BOLES, RB, WESTLAND JOHN GLENN (1983-1985): Boles was one of the premier players in the state, who combined good size with outstanding speed and cutting ability to earn all-state honors. He went on to success as a two-time all-Big 10 running back with the University of Michigan Wolverines and was the team MVP in 1989. Boles played in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys.
66. THOMAS JOHNSON, LB, DETROIT MACKENZIE (1979-1981): “Pepper” Johnson was a dominating linebacker, who was an all-state and all-American selection. He went on to play four years at Ohio State University, where he totaled 379 career tackles and was an all-American in 1985. Johnson played 12 years in the NFL and was part of two Super Bowl championships with the New York Giants. After his playing career ended, he was part of three additional Super Bowl championships as a defensive coach with the New England Patriots.
67. LARRY FOOTE, LB, DETROIT PERSHING (1995-1997): Foote was an all-state linebacker, who was considered one of the top recruits in the state his senior year. He went on to star at the University of Michigan, where he earned all-American honors and was the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year. He earned two Super Rings as a professional with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
68. PETE CHRYPLEWICZ, TE, UTICA STEVENSON (1989-1991): A dominating presence at tight end as a blocker and as a receiver, Chryplewicz was the No.1-ranked recruit following the 1991 season. He went on to play at University of Notre Dame and later for the Detroit Lions in the NFL.
69. LUIS SHARPE, OT, DETROIT SOUTHWESTERN (1976-1978): Southwestern was not just a basketball school, and Sharpe was not only the premier lineman in Michigan but was also a prep all-American who went on to play for UCLA. He then played in the NFL for the Cardinals for 13 seasons and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
70. KERRY SMITH, RB, FOREST HILLS NORTHERN (1977-1978): An all-state running back in 1978, Smith helped lead Northern to the Class C state title. In that state title game, he rushed for 278 yards to break O.J. Simpson’s Silverdome rushing record. He went on to play running back at the University of Michigan.
71. DAN LATO, RB, FOREST PARK (1976-1978): Lato was arguably the finest running back to ever come out of the Upper Peninsula. In 1977, he scored 206 points, and in 1978 he scored 212 points, as he led Forest Park to back-to-back state final appearances. Lato ended his career with 522 points.
72. MIKE DUMAS, DB, LOWELL (1984-1986): Dumas was a dominating player on both sides of the ball but was best known for his hard-hitting style on defense. He went on to star at the University of Indiana and played for eight years in the NFL as a safety, mostly for the Houston Oilers and the San Diego Chargers.
73. DAVID BOWENS, LB, ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARYS (1992-1994): Bowens was a dynamic linebacker and the top player in the state in 1994, when he helped the Eaglets win the Class CC state title. He went on to play at University of Michigan and at Western Illinois University before playing over a decade in the NFL with several teams.
74. RAY BENTLEY, LB, HUDSONVILLE (1977-1978): An all-state linebacker, Bentley went on to Central Michigan University, where he was a two-time all-MAC linebacker. He was voted MVP of the MAC in 1982. He won a USFL championship with the Michigan Panthers in 1983 and later played six seasons for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, with whom he played in two Super Bowls. Bentley has been a football color analyst since 1994 and with ESPN since 2003.
75. GABE DEAN, QB, LOWELL (2009-2011): Dean played the quarterback position with a punishing style. A powerful runner, he scored 35 touchdowns in the 2010 season, as he helped lead Lowell to a Division 2 state title.
76. TOM TYSON, RB, WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT (1992-1995): Tyson was one of the finest football players to ever come out of northeastern Michigan. Playing at tiny Whittemore-Prescott, he scored 97 career touchdowns and is fourth in all-time points scored with 632. Tyson finished his career with 6,605 yards, which includes the 2,659 yards he gained in 1994.
77. JOHN BREASBOIS, QB, MERRILL (1997-1999): Merrill football was at the heart of the run-and-shoot offensive revolution that began to change the face of high school football in Michigan in the mid-1990s. Breasbois totaled 7,216 career passing yards, as Merrill operated out of four and five-receiver sets. In 1999, he passed for a then-record 3,2776 yards and led Merrill to the state semifinal. He completed 31 of 50 passes for 465 yards in that semifinal game against Traverse City St. Francis.
78. J.T. JONES, WR, ITHACA (1999-2001): While Ithaca has produced numerous standout quarterbacks, few Yellowjackets or receivers in state history can match the production of Jones. He holds both the career (46) and single-season (26) records for touchdown passes caught. Jones is fifth in career receptions with 172 and has the third-highest single-season mark with 93 receptions in 2001. He is also third in career receiving yards (3,190) and has the sixth-highest single-season mark with 1,457 in 2000.
79. ROGER EMMENDORFER, RB, NEW LOTHROP (2003-2006): Emmendorfer was the catalyst of some high-powered New Lothrop offenses. In 2006, he totaled 227 points, as he scored 26 touchdowns, kicked four field goals, added 47 PATs, and scored on six two-point conversions. Emmendorfer finished his career with 512 points and helped to lead the Hornets to the 2006 Division 8 state title.
80. TERRY MCDANIEL, WR/RB, SAGINAW (1980-1982): A versatile speedster, McDaniel totaled 1,582 yards of total offense as a senior and was heavily recruited by Michigan and by Michigan State. McDaniel has sprinter speed, and he won state titles in the 100- (10.46 seconds) and 200-meter dashes (21.20 seconds). He was an all-SEC performer at University of Tennessee as a defensive back and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 1988 draft. He was a five-time Pro Bowl player, who finished his career with 35 interceptions.
81. JASON FRACASSA, QB, UTICA STEVENSON (2006-2009): The all-time passing king in Michigan high school football, Fracassa amassed numbers that will be hard to top. In 2009, he set the single-single passing yardage mark with 4,433 yards. He finished his career with 10,615 passing yards, which is 2,709 yards more than the number-two passer.
82. DEANDRE JOHNSON, RB, MADISON (2003-2006): Johnson was one of the most productive running backs ever in the Detroit area. He finished his career with 7,016 yards, one of only five running backs ever with more than 7,000 career yards. He rushed for 2,697 yards in 2006, as he helped lead Madison to the Division 5 state final before moving on to the University of Michigan.
83. DAVE BLACKMER, PK, FARMINGTON HARRISON (1981-1982): Blackmer was one of the most successful high school kickers in state history. He holds the state record for field goals in a season with 16 and finished fourth for field goals in a career with 27. He also held the record for longest field goal for 13 years after a 55-yard effort in 1981 vs. Farmington.
84. RICK GRANATA, RB, IMLAY CITY (1991-1993): Granata had a productive career that was capped in 1993, when he led the Spartans to the Class B final. Granata rushed for 5,655 yards during his career and finished with 553 career points. During the 1993 season he rushed for 2,783 yards.
85. NOAH HERRON, RB, MATTAWAN (1996-1999): Herron was the most productive running back to come out of southwestern Michigan. He finished his career with 5,544 yards and totaled 552 points. He went on to play at Northwestern University, where he was an all-Big 10 player and left as the fifth all-time rusher in school history. Herron later played in the NFL for the Steelers and for the Packers.
86. ALEX NIZNAK, QB, ITHACA (2008-2010): A two-time all-state selection, Niznak led Ithaca to a perfect 14-0 season in 2010, as he passed for 2,731 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 1,161 yards and 21 touchdowns. He set a state finals record with five touchdowns, as he ran for 138 yards and passed for 251 in the title game. As a junior, he passed for 2,077 yards and 22 touchdowns while running for 1,637 yards and scoring 28 touchdowns in leading Ithaca to the state semifinal.
87. BRIAN PRUITT, RB, SAGINAW ARTHUR HILL (1988-1990): Pruitt was a three-year, two-way starter who played defensive end and fullback. At Central Michigan University in 1994, he became the first Chippewa to earn first-team Division 1 all-American honors. That season, he was MVP of the MAC, as he rushed for a school record 1,890 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. Pruitt holds MAC and school records for rushing yards in a game with 356, and he also scored a school-record five touchdowns in one game.
88. DAVE VON BEHREN, QB, FRANKENMUTH (1973-1975): In the early 1970s, before the era of teams throwing the ball all over the field, Von Behren piloted a Frankenmuth offense that was ahead of its time. He was at his best in the 1974 season, when he passed for 2,589 yards in nine games. For his career, he totaled 5,601 yards, which is still a top-20 all-time mark.
89. COOPER RUSH, QB, LANSING CATHOLIC (2009-2011): Few high school quarterbacks ever had a game like Rush did in the 2011 playoffs against Dowagiac. He completed a state-record 20 passes in a row and threw for five second-quarter touchdowns enroute to a state-record 541 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished the 2011 season with 4,002 yards passing, the second-highest total in state history. For his career, Rush passed for 7,247 yards, good for fourth place on the career list.
90. DWAIN KOSCIELNIAK, RB, GAYLORD ST. MARY (1987-1990): One of the premier players to come out of northern Michigan, Koscielniak rushed for 5,078 yards during his career and scored 412 points. A two-time all-state player and two-time winner of the Bay City Times Golden Helmet Award, Koscielniak capped his career by rushing for 529 yards against Pellston in his final game.
91. FRED RUSSELL, RB, ROMULUS (1996-1998): Although Romulus was known as a basketball school, Russell made a huge impact on the football field, as he totaled 5,087 yards rushing. He capped his career by rushing for 2,473 yards as a senior. Romulus experienced its finest season that year, when it went 10-1 and reached the Class BB regional final, where it dropped a 41-40 thriller to DeWitt. Russell played college football at University of Iowa, where he twice rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season.
92. TIM SHAW, RB, CLARENCEVILLE (1998-2001): An underrated football player, Shaw is second in career points scored by a Michigan high school player with 786 and is one of only two players to score over 700 career points. He also had the second- and third-highest single season point totals in state history (306 in 2001 and 288 in 2000). He is second in career rushing with 7,813 yards. Shaw was an academic all-American linebacker at Pennsylvania State University and is currently playing for the Tennessee Titans in his seventh NFL season.
93. DAN BASS, LB, BATH (1974-1975): Bass was a tackling machine and earned all-state honors in 1976. At Michigan State University, Bass was a two-time all-Big 10 player and was team MVP during the 1979 season and is the all-time leader in tackles for the Spartans. Bass went on to play in the Canadian Football League, where he was a six-time CFL all-star and a member of the 1987 Grey Cup champion team.
94. JORDAN JOHNSON, WR, DE WITT (2008-2010): Johnson piled up the receiving yards during his three seasons. He finished his career with 2,809 career receiving yards, sixth-most in state history. He also caught 189 career passes to place fourth on the career list and finished his career with 31 touchdown passes.
95. MIKE MCFADDEN, DL, HERITAGE (2000-2001): McFadden was a defensive standout who earned all-state honors both as a junior and as a senior. He totaled 98 tackles as a junior and 117 tackles as a senior before heading to Grand Valley State University, where set a number of school records. McFadden was one of the finest D2 defensive lineman in the nation during the 2005 and 2006 seasons and was a two-time Gene Upshaw award winner as the top lineman in D2 football.
96. GARY VAN ELST, FB/LB, MIDDLEVILLE (1965-1967): Van Elst was a battering ram of a football player who dominated on both sides of the football. He was named the UPI High School Player of the Year for Michigan in 1967 and went on to play defensive tackle at Michigan State University. He also held the state shot put record until T.J. Duckett broke it in 1998.
97. KEITH BARTYNSKI, RB, NOUVEL CATHOLIC CENTRAL (1995-1997): Bartynski was one of the most successful running backs in Michigan high school history. During his three years at Nouvel, he rushed for 6,336 yards. His best season was 1997, when he rushed for 2,553 yards.
98. JAY ACHTERHOFF, OL, MUSKEGON (1970-1971): Achterhoff anchored the offensive line for the unbeaten Muskegon team of 1971 that won the Class A state champion. He earned all-state honors and was selected the state Player of the Year in 1971. He went on to play at University of Notre Dame and was a member of the 1973 National Championship team before playing in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. Achterhoff gained fame when he was credited with the sack by Dan “Rudy” Ruettiger in the famous “Rudy” play against Georgia Tech.
99. TONY SCHEFFLER, WR/TE, CHELSEA (1998-2000): An all-state wide receiver in 2000, Scheffler set school records with 67 receptions for 1,340 yards and 16 touchdowns. He went on to be a two-time all-Mid American Conference tight end at Western Michigan University and was a John Mackey Award finalist before moving on to the NFL with the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Lions.
100. RYAN CUNNINGHAM, RB, FULTON (1992-1995): A bruising running back, Cunningham rushed for 5,337 yards during his career. He was also a state-champion wrestler who was a three-time all-American at Central Michigan University and finished with 104 career wins.