Clarkston sophomore offensive lineman Rocco Spindler, center, celebrates with teammates after winning the Division 1 regional championship on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at Fitzpatrick Field in Lapeer. Clarkston defeated Lapeer 13-0. (Jake May | MLive.com)
When looking for some of the best high school athletes in the state of Michigan, you don't have to search long in the Metro Detroit area. With football practices already rolling and games on the horizon, the Detroit area is once again filled with top gridiron talent.
Here is a look into the top 15 players from Metro Detroit to watch as the 2019 season kicks off.
Detroit King's Peny Boone at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods, June 27, 2019. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com
Peny Boone, RB, Detroit Martin Luther King
Senior
King has churned out many great running backs over the years and Boone had a lot of pressure to fill those shoes. Last fall, he only seemed to get better and better as the season went on, finishing with 937 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has since committed to play for Maryland back in June and is primed for a huge season this fall as a key fixture among a talented roster.
MLK Detroit's Deondre Buford commits to the University of Kentucky during a ceremony at King High School in Detroit Monday, Aug.19, 2019. (Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com)
Deondre Buford, OT, Detroit Martin Luther King
Senior
After starting off as a defensive lineman as a freshman, Buford has shown impressive growth and has developed into one of the state's top offensive lineman. At 6-foot-7 and 273 pounds, Buford recently became the third player in the state's top 16 recruits in 247Sports' composite rankings to commit to Kentucky.
Oak Park #5 Maliq Carr catches the ball during the first quarter against Utica Eisenhower at the Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University's Adams Field Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. (Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com)
Maliq Carr, WR, Oak Park
Senior
He is called Maliq "The Freak" for a reason. With a 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame, Carr was even recruited as a tight end by some schools. Heck, 247Sports even has him listed as four-star tight end. Yet, Carr intends to be a wide receiver at the next level and there is no reason to question him on that. An athletic wide receiver that can out-jump and out-muscle opponents with ease, Carr had 21 receptions for 815 yards and 9 touchdowns last fall, good for 38.8 yards per reception. He has a top five of Michigan, Purdue, LSU, Georgia and Auburn. He's also one heck of a basketball player too.
Clarkston's Garrett Dellinger (74) sacks West Bloomfield quarterback Christopher Harris (1) during the high school football game between Clarkston and West Bloomfield at Clarkston High School on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Clarkston defeated West Bloomfield, 28-25. (Ben Allan Smith/MLive.com)
Garrett Dellinger, OL/DL, Clarkston
Junior
Although he might be recruited to play on the offensive line, Dellinger is one of the top two-way lineman in the state, regardless of class. He's been a starter since his freshman year and has been a menace on both sides of the ball in the trenches. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Dellinger is a load to handle.
West Bloomfield's Donovan Edwards (6) stumbles on a carry during the high school football game between Clarkston and West Bloomfield at Clarkston High School on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Clarkston defeated West Bloomfield, 28-25. (Ben Allan Smith/MLive.com)
Donovan Edwards, RB, West Bloomfield
Junior
If you don't know the name Donovan Edwards, it is time to start paying attention. Currently rated as the No. 3 running back in the nation's 2021 class by 247Sports, Edwards has 32 offers from the country's top programs. Last year, he averaged 6.7 yards per carry before breaking his left fibula in the seventh game of the season. Still, he managed 700 yards and 11 touchdowns while recording 212 receiving yards and another TD. Hoping for a fully healthy season, Edwards is set up for some big numbers this fall.
Michigan commit and Sterling Heights Stevenson junior offensive lineman Giovanni El-Hadi. (Photo taken and used with permission from Justin Newcomb)
Giovanni El-Hadi, OT, Sterling Heights Stevenson
Junior
It is hard to believe that El-Hadi is only starting his junior year because he already has the look of a seasoned college football player. Ranked as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, he stands 6-foot-6 and 280-pounds. Despite an avalanche of offers expected to come his way, he has already committed to Michigan, becoming the first member of the Wolverines' 2021 recruiting class back in March.
Oak Park wide receiver Enzo Jennings at the Sound Mind, Sound Body football camp held at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods, June 27, 2019. Jennings also announced his commitment to Penn State University Thursday. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com
Enzo Jennings, DB, Oak Park
Senior
The 6-foot-2 185-pound safety is one of the top recruits in Michigan. Committed to Penn State, Jennings finished last season with 65 tackles and 5 interceptions while also recovering four fumbles. He is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 10 safety in the country.
West Bloomfield #8 Makari Paige stays lose and gets ready to make a run during his game against Bloomfield Hills at Bloomfield Hills High School Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 (Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com)
Makari Paige, S, West Bloomfield
Senior
Paige is as versatile and as athletic as they come in the secondary. A four-star recruit who is committed to Michigan, Paige is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound talent who finished second on his team with 105 total tackles last fall as a junior. He had 34 solo tackles, 4 pass deflections, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Don't be surprised to see him haul in a few passes on offense as well this season.
Belleville's Damon Payne (55) kneels before the high school football game between Belleville and Fordson at Belleville High School on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018. Belleville defeated Fordson, 29-26. (Ben Allan Smith | MLive.com)
Damon Payne, DT, Belleville
Junior
A four-star recruit, Payne is listed as the No. 2 prospect in Michigan's 2021 class and the No. 6 defensive tackle in the nation's 2021 class. Last year, Payne had 29 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. He currently holds 22 offers, including Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama and Georgia.
Oak Park lineman Justin Rogers is interviewed by local sports reporters during his commitment announcement at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, on Monday, May 20, 2019. Rogers committed to Kentucky over other SEC schools and Big Ten schools. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)
Justin Rogers, OG/DT, Oak Park
Senior
Although he has been listed as one of the top offensive lineman in the nation for the 2020 class since he came into high school, everyone got a good look at his defensive abilities last year. He is also listed as the top overall recruit in Michigan for 2020.Despite committing to Kentucky as an offensive lineman, recruiting services are now listing him as a top defensive tackle. At one point, 247Sports composite rankings listed him as the top offensive guard in the country. Last year, Rogers finished the season with 66 tackles and 6 sacks on defense. He is also listed as the top overall recruit in Michigan for 2020.
Belleville's Andre Seldon at University Liggett School in Grosse Pointe Woods, June 27, 2019. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com
Andre Seldon, CB, Belleville
Senior
Last fall, opposing offenses tried avoiding passing in Seldon's direction whenever possible. Still, that did not stop him from grabbing 6 interceptions and tallying another 8 pass deflections. He also recorded 18 tackles and two tackles for a loss. A four-star recruit who is ranked No. 5 overall in the state's 2020 class, he is committed to play for Michigan.
Clarkston's Rocco Spindler (50) celebrates a sack during a MHSAA Division 1 football semifinal game at Okemos High School on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. Clarkston won the game, 21-3, to advance to the state championship game. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)
Rocco Spindler, OL/DL, Clarkston
Junior
Recently moving back into 247Sports' No. 1 spot in the state's 2021 class, Spindler has started and played both ways for Clarkston in every game since his freshman year. Although he could be recruited to play on either side of the ball, it looks like many schools want him in the trenches as part of their future defensive line. Last year, Spindler had 44 tackles and 12 for a loss last fall as a sophomore, along with a punt block and a safety. He is the son of former Detroit Lions player Marc Spindler.
Grant Toutant of Warren De La Salle has committed to the Ohio State University football program prior to the 2019 season. Photos taken and submitted by his mother, Helena Toutant. (With permission Helena Toutant)
Grant Toutant, OT, Warren De La Salle
Senior
Toutant is as talented as he is massive. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, Toutant is a big reason why Warren De La Salle is so impressive in the run game. No matter which running back rotates in for the Pilots, they might as well aim for the big hole Toutant is going to open up on the line. Only listed with 11 offers, that did not stop Toutant from committing to one of the top college football programs in the country when he picked Ohio State back in June.
West Bloomfield's linebacker Cornell Wheeler at MLive's High School Football Media Day at Lawrence Technological University's Don Ridler Field House in Southfield on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com
Cornell Wheeler, LB, West Bloomfield
Senior
A 6-foot-1, 220-pound talent, Wheeler is committed to play for Michigan. Last year, he led a talented West Bloomfield defense in total tackles with 165. He also had 33 solo tackles and 12 tackles for a loss while adding 3 fumble recovers, a forced fumble and a pass deflection. He is ranked as the No. 15 recruit in the state's 2020 class by 247Sports. One of the top linebackers the state offers this fall, Wheeler is always swarming toward the ball and is the heart of the Lakers very talented defense.
Detroit King's wide receiver Rashawn Williams at MLive's High School Football Media Day at Lawrence Technological University's Don Ridler Field House in Southfield on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com
Rashawn Williams, WR, Detroit Martin Luther King
Senior
Williams is ranked as the No. 6 recruit in the state's 2020 class and the 6-1, 185-pounder is looking to further prove his worth this fall. Committed to play for Indiana, the four-star receiver had 533 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last year as King claimed its third state championship in four years. With a freshman quarterback taking the reins for King this fall, it won't be surprised if the passing game relies on Williams' ability to hawk the football.
River Rouge sophomore De'Andre Bulley (4) runs the ball during the Division 4 district final at Chelsea High School on Friday, November 3, 2017. River Rouge defeated Chelsea 35-10. Hunter Dyke | The Ann Arbor News
More top talents worth watching from Metro Detroit
Robert Army, Jr., WR, Southfield A&T
Raheem Anderson, Jr., C, Detroit Cass Tech
Bryce Austin, Sr., DE, Southfield
Caleb Banks, Jr., DL, Southfield A&T
Raequan Beal, Sr., QB, Detroit Renaissance
Rayshaun Benny, Jr., OT, Oak Park
Jack Beno, Jr., QB, Detroit Catholic Central
Ali Beydoun, Jr., QB, Dearborn Fordson
C.J. Brown, Sr., DB/WR, Walled Lake Western
Henry Brown, Sr., RB, Warren Woods Tower
Jamari Buddin, Jr., LB, Belleville
De'Andre Bulley, Sr., RB, River Rouge
Devin Campbell, Sr., LB, Warren De La Salle
Adam Cassab, Sr., RB, Dearborn Heights Crestwood
Justin Collier, Sr., DL, Walled Lake Western
Ivan Davis, Sr., DL, Plymouth
James DeWald, Sr., LB, Birmingham Seaholm
Christian Dhue-Reid, Jr., QB, Belleville
Terrence Enos, Jr., OT, Detroit Cass Tech
Christian Fitzpatrick, Sr., WR, Southfield A&T
Arron Foulkes, Sr., WR, Southfield A&T
Connor Fracassi, Sr., QB, South Lyon
Joe Frazier, Jr., DB, Detroit Martin Luther King
Antonio Gates Jr., So., WR, Dearborn Fordson
Chase Glover, Sr., WR, West Bloomfield
Tommy Guajardo, Sr., TE, Dearborn
C.J. Harris, Sr., QB, West Bloomfield
Cardiea Harris, Sr., LB, Southfield A&T
Myren Harris, Sr., RB, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley
David Holloman, Jr., RB, Auburn Hills Avondale
Brandon Honorable, Jr., OT, Detroit Martin Luther King
Nathan Janke, Sr., DB, Plymouth
Darrell Johnson, Jr., WR, Belleville
William Johnson, So., WR/DB, Grosse Pointe South
Jacob Kelbert, Sr., QB, Livonia Franklin
Kalen King, Jr., WR/DB, Detroit Cass Tech
Kobe King, Jr., RB/LB, Detroit Cass Tech
Mitch Komorous, Jr., LB, South Lyon
Marshawn Lee, Sr., WR, Detroit Martin Luther King
Adam Long, Sr., LB, Madison Heights Madison
Daivon Lowman, Sr., RB, Roseville
Dorian Mausi, Sr., LB, Detroit U-D Jesuit
Dante Moore, Fr., QB, Detroit Martin Luther King
Lemuel Neely-Watley, Sr., WR, Harper Woods
Anthony Patritto, Sr., RB, Rochester Adams
Jalin Pitchford, Sr., QB, Wyandotte Roosevelt
Jesse Powell, Sr., DL, South Lyon
Davion Primm, Jr., RB, Oak Park
Jaylen Reed, Jr., S, Detroit Martin Luther King
Evan Rochon, Sr., RB, St. Clair Shores Lakeview
Anthony Romphf, Sr., QB, Southfield A&T
Ali Saad, Sr., DL, Dearborn
Xavier Smith, Sr., WR, River Rouge
Caleb Tiernan, Jr., OT, Detroit Country Day
Zach Trainor, Jr., QB, Walled Lake Western
Jordan Turner, Sr., LB, Farmington
Alec Ward, Sr., WR, Bloomfield Hills
Davion Watkins, Sr., WR, Eastpointe
James Wheeler, Sr., LB, Dearborn Fordson
Jalen Williams, Sr., WR, Belleville
Michael Young, Sr., DL, Warren De La Salle
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