Meet the 2018 Detroit News Blue Chip recruits
 Fullscreen

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Go through the gallery to view The Detroit News top
Buy Photo
Go through the gallery to view The Detroit News top 15 Blue Chip high school football prospects, and where they're headed for college, led by Cass Tech cornerback Kalon Gervin (pictured), a Michigan State commitment. Player breakdowns by David Goricki of The Detroit News.  Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Fullscreen
1. Kalon Gervin, Detroit Cass Tech (Michigan State)
Buy Photo
1. Kalon Gervin, Detroit Cass Tech (Michigan State) – CB/5-11/180. Gervin, a member of The News Dream Team, lived up to his billing of being ranked as the state's top player. He was in on 45 tackles while breaking up multiple passes to help Cass Tech make another deep run in the postseason. “He's fast, quick, has great character and is a hard worker, always trying to get better,” coach Thomas Wilcher said of Gervin, who plans to enroll early at Michigan State. He will compete in the Under Armour All-America Game on Jan. 4.  Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
Fullscreen
2. Aidan Hutchinson, Dearborn Divine Child (Michigan)
2. Aidan Hutchinson, Dearborn Divine Child (Michigan) – DE/6-5, 255. Hutchinson became an outstanding two-way player during his senior year, also playing tight end where he had 36 receptions for 416 yards and eight touchdowns to help Divine Child win Catholic League and district championships. He also got in on 65 tackles, including 27 for lost yardage and was a member of The News Dream Team. “He has great physical attributes and a great motor,” coach John Filiatraut said.  Allen Trieu, Scout.com
Fullscreen
3. Jalen Mayfield, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Michigan)
3. Jalen Mayfield, Grand Rapids Catholic Central (Michigan) – T/DE/6-5/270. Mayfield was a dominant two-way player, opening holes for teammate Nolan Fugate to rush for more than 3,000 yards while also causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks and running backs. He was a member of The News Dream Team. “Jalen obviously has some rare skill set and when you’re as big as he is and as athletic as he is, those guys are hard to find, and I think his maturity and understanding that he could be a dominant player was important,” coach Todd Kolster said.  Isaiah Hole, 247Sports
Fullscreen
4. Tyrone Sampson, Detroit East English (Syracuse)
Buy Photo
4. Tyrone Sampson, Detroit East English (Syracuse) – C/6-3/315. Sampson (66) was the premier center in the state, the anchor of East English's line, which helped a ground game average 270 yards a game, earning a spot in the PSL championship game. He was a member of The News Dream Team. “Tyrone's a four-year starter who played 54 consecutive games,” coach Rod Oden said. “He played all five positions on the offensive line and has been selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American (Bowl).”  Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Fullscreen
5. Marquan McCall, Oak Park (Kentucky) – G/6-4/330.
Buy Photo
5. Marquan McCall, Oak Park (Kentucky) – G/6-4/330. McCall bounced back from a junior year where he suffered a season-ending injury early in the season. He showed he had fully recovered, playing well on both sides of the ball to lead Oak Park to the Division 2 regional championship game and earn a spot on The News Dream Team. “For a guy his size, 325 pounds, he's extremely quick and athletic and has great hands,” coach Greg Carter said. “He played defensive tackle and clogged up the middle of the defensive line, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's where he wound up playing at the next level.”  Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Fullscreen
6. Ryan Hayes, Traverse City West (Michigan) – DE/TE/6-7/265.
6. Ryan Hayes, Traverse City West (Michigan) – DE/TE/6-7/265. Hayes was a force from his defensive end spot while also using his size to be an impact player as a receiver. He earned a spot on The News Dream Team. “He was an incredible player for us,” coach Tim Wooer said. “Defensively, most teams ran away from him. He was long and athletic and used his arms really well for separation. In my 27 years of coaching, he was the best player in terms of creating matchup issues for defensive backs and linebackers.”  Traverse City West athletics
Fullscreen
7. Ovie Oghoufo, Farmington Hills Harrison (Notre Dame)
7. Ovie Oghoufo, Farmington Hills Harrison (Notre Dame) - 6-3/210/LB-TE. Oghoufo long has been known as an outstanding linebacker, but he also became a standout receiver during his senior year to lead Harrison to the Division 3 state championship game. He had 32 receptions for 508 yards and five touchdowns while also getting in on 56 tackles, including seven sacks to earn a spot on The News Dream Team. “He's made a smooth transition from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and he's been able to go sideline to sideline with good athletic skill,” coach John Herrington said. “He has the desire to be the best.”  Jose Juarez, Special to The Detroit News
Fullscreen
8. Kolin Demens, Detroit Country Day (undecided; decommitted
Buy Photo
8. Kolin Demens, Detroit Country Day (undecided; decommitted from UCLA) - 6-1/210/LB/TE. Demens was an impact player on both sides of the ball. He got in on 60 tackles, including 12 for lost yardage, intercepting three passes while recovering three fumbles and forcing two more. Offensively, he grabbed 22 passes for 275 yards and four touchdowns. He was committed to UCLA before Jim Mora was fired and replaced by Chip Kelly. “Kolin’s versatility and athleticism are what stood out,” coach Dan MacLean said. “His ball skills were phenomenal, great hands and leaping ability and he is known primarily as a defensive player.”  Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
Fullscreen
9. La’Darius Jefferson, Muskegon (Michigan State) –
9. La’Darius Jefferson, Muskegon (Michigan State) – 6-2/215/QB. Jefferson was the top dual-threat quarterback in the state, showing his ability to help Muskegon win the Division 3 state championship. He rushed for 2,095 yards and 33 touchdowns, including 245 and four TDs in the 28-10 title game win over Farmington Hills Harrison. He also threw for more than 1,200 yards and 21 TDs and was a member of The News Dream Team as an athlete. He de-committed to Central Florida and decided he will play at MSU. “His will to win, just his desire and passion to win made him special,” coach Shane Fairfield said.  Jose Juarez, Special to Detroit News
Fullscreen
10. Theo Day, Dearborn Divine Child (Michigan State)
Buy Photo
10. Theo Day, Dearborn Divine Child (Michigan State) - 6-5/210/QB. Day is the state's top pro-style quarterback, and also showed his mobility throughout the season to help Divine Child win the Catholic League title. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,622 yards and 16 touchdowns while also rushing for 878 yards and 13 TDs. “Theo’s a great leader and hard worker,” coach John Filiatraut said. “He’s very tough, and had his best performances in the biggest games.”  The Detroit News
Fullscreen
11. Elijah Collins, U-D Jesuit (Michigan State) - 6-1/200/RB/LB/CB.
11. Elijah Collins, U-D Jesuit (Michigan State) - 6-1/200/RB/LB/CB. Collins was a physical runner for U-D Jesuit, rushing for 1,076 yards (134 carries) and nine touchdowns while also getting in on 73 tackles. “Elijah Collins is an explosive player that every time he touches the ball he has a chance to score a TD,” coach Oscar Olejniczak said. “He is also an amazing teammate and a player that is always coachable.”  Rachel Woolf, Special to The Detroit News
Fullscreen
12. DeAndre Square, Detroit Cass Tech (Kentucky) -
Buy Photo
12. DeAndre Square, Detroit Cass Tech (Kentucky) - 6-2/210/LB. Square was a physical linebacker who displayed great speed to go sideline to sideline to make tackles. He finished with 84 tackles while forcing four fumbles to help Cass Tech reach the Division 1 state semifinals while earning a spot on The News Dream Team. “He's fast, quick and tough and would do whatever was asked of him without question and then do it at a high level,” coach Thomas Wilcher said.  Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News
Fullscreen
13. Reggie Pearson, River Rouge (Wisconsin) - 5-11/190/CB.
13. Reggie Pearson, River Rouge (Wisconsin) - 5-11/190/CB. Pearson was a lockdown corner for River Rouge, daring opponents to throw his way and then usually coming through with a pass break-up or even better, an interception, a reason he made The News Dream Team. He had eight interceptions during his senior year and 15 during the last two seasons. “He’s been the quarterback of our defense for four years, just had an awesome career,” coach Corey Parker said. “He brings a load when he comes to tackle you so he just gives you that full combination.”  Jose Juarez, Special to The Detroit News
Fullscreen
14. Mike Furtney, Milan (Wisconsin) - 6-5/290/T. Furtney
Buy Photo
14. Mike Furtney, Milan (Wisconsin) - 6-5/290/T. Furtney showed his versatility by playing H-back in addition to his normal tackle position to help Milan earn a state playoff spot. He also got in on 82 tackles, including 10 for lost yardage. “Mike played H-back for half the season on offense so we could get him involved in as many plays as possible,” coach Jesse Hoskins said. “He also set the wedge for four kickoff returns for touchdowns.”  Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Fullscreen
15. Taj Mustapha, West Bloomfield (Wisconsin) - 6-2/185/WR.
Buy Photo
15. Taj Mustapha, West Bloomfield (Wisconsin) - 6-2/185/WR. Mustapha got the job done despite being double-teamed on numerous occasions. He had 64 receptions for 907 yards and six touchdowns to help West Bloomfield win its first district and regional championships while advancing to the Division 1 state championship game. He earned a spot on The News Dream Team. “Taj had a great year for us, got constant double teams and still showed the ability to make big plays,” coach Ron Bellamy said.  Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News
Fullscreen

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

    Replay
    Autoplay
    Show Thumbnails
    Show Captions
    LINKEDIN 1 COMMENTMORE

    This is the eighth in a series of profiles on the top 15 players on The Detroit News Blue Chip list. Today: No. 8, Detroit Country Day linebacker Kolin Demens.

    Kolin Demens worked out for a couple of weeks in California last summer to prepare for his senior year while taking a look at a couple of campuses, including UCLA to get set for the future as well.

    Demens, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker, was so impressed with UCLA that he ended up committing to the Bruins this fall while completing his senior season at Detroit Country Day.

    And, Demens had to be impressed when UCLAbattled back from a 44-10 second-half deficit to defeat Texas A&M in the season-opener.

    But, things changed for Demens’ future when UCLA slipped at rival USC to fall to 5-6, costing head coach Jim Mora his job.

    Demens was still interested in UCLA as long as Bruins linebackers coach Scott White, who built a relationship with Demens, remained, but he too was out when new head coach Chip Kelly arrived, departing prior to the Cactus Bowl.

    Now, Demens has moved on and has taken official visits to Iowa and Pittsburgh and the Hawkeyes and Panthers seem to be the front-runners with Signing Day set for Feb. 7.

    Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi wanted to get Demens’ older brother Kenny Demens while he was defensive coordinator at Michigan State, but Kenny Demens played at rival Michigan before playing in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals.

    Michigan State and Michigan have not been in contact with Kolin Demens, who had a strong senior year for Country Day, getting in on 60 tackles, including 12 for a loss. He also intercepted three passes and recovered three fumbles.

    “Kolin’s versatility and athleticism are what stood out,” said Country Day coach Dan MacLean of Demens. “He threw four TDs in his high school career, ran for five TDs and caught seven TDs. He was a true triple threat.

    “You know everyone’s recruited him as a linebacker, but the guy is a heck of a receiver. His ball skills were phenomenal, great hands and leaping ability and he is known primarily as a defensive player.”

    Demens had 20 receptions for 275 yards and four TDs his senior year.

    Iowa finished 8-5 last season, including a 27-20 win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl, and has multiple Metro Detroit area players on its rosters with offensive lineman Alaric Jackson (Detroit Renaissance) and defensive lineman Cedric Lattimore (Detroit East English) both starting. Jackson earned a spot on the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team by BTN.com.

    Pittsburgh, which finished 5-7, also had multiple metro area players, including starting defensive back Avonte Maddox (Detroit King) and tight end Nathan Bossory (Chelsea).

    BLUE CHIP PROFILES

    No. 15: Taj Mustapha ‘at home’ with Badgers

    No. 14: Michael Furtney up front in love for Badgers

    No. 13: River Rouge’s Reggie Pearson finds his voice

    No. 12: DeAndre Square bigger, stronger for Cass Tech, Kentucky

    No. 11: Elijah Collins’ return to football pays off

    No. 10: Summer work pays dividends for Theo Day

    No. 9: Awards nice, but La'Darius Jefferson finds joy in title

    david.goricki@detroitnews.com

    Twitter:@DavidGoricki

    LINKEDIN 1 COMMENTMORE