All-state football honorable mention

Photos: 2015 Sound Mind Sound Body

Soon after announcing his departure, he had a scholarship offer from California.

Viramontes, a 6-foot, 215-pound three-star prospect, never was expected to play quarterback at Michigan, given its depth at the position. He was likely to play safety, linebacker or somewhere else.

He was one of the commitments that came out of Michigan’s Summer Swarm camp tour in June. He had little familiarity with U-M until coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff rolled through his area.

That leaves Michigan with 21 commits in the class. The Wolverines still are recruiting a number of high-level prospects despite apparently not having enough spots for them all, so this creates a bit of room.

The primary focus in the world of Michigan football recruiting is on closing out the 2016 class.

Can U-M finish strong, adding five-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary and others?

But the coaching staff is working on the future, as well. The Wolverines have offered a number of 2017 and even 2018 prospects in recent weeks, and on Saturday, one of their earlier 2017 offers pledged his allegiance.

Ja’Raymond Hall plays for Oak Park.

Oak Park offensive lineman Ja’Raymond Hall picked Michigan over a group of scholarship offers that included Penn State, Tennessee and a number of Mid-American Conference schools. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder is rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 33 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 9 junior in Michigan.

“I called coach (Tyrone) Wheatley and told him,” Hall said. “I haven’t talked to coach (Jim) Harbaugh yet, but I will. It just felt right. Everything. The academics, and everything else.”

Recruiting: Full coverage

Signing Day 2016: Feb. 3

Photos: 2015 Sound Mind Sound Body

Hall manned right tackle for a Knights team that finished 5-5 after losing in the first round of the Division 2 state playoffs to rival Southfield. According to Oak Park assistant coach — and Hall’s off-season trainer — Daryl Graham, the best is yet to come for the young lineman.

“I think he needs to get better in the weight room,” Graham said. “I want him to get a little stronger and see how well he carries more weight. Just understanding the game on a high level. I’ve got very high expectations of the guys, especially when they train with me during the off-season. I give him a B-minus (for his junior season). He could have stepped up as a leader, and it was a young offensive line — he did decent but maybe be more vocal.”

Hall is the fourth member of Michigan’s 2017 class, joining tight end Carter Dunaway, running back Kurt Taylor and defensive back Benjamin St-Juste. The number of available scholarships is yet to be determined — it will depend upon how many prospects U-M lands in 2016, along with any attrition between now and Signing Day 2017 — but it should be a large class. Twenty-six Wolverines are slated to complete their eligibility after the 2016 season.

Tim Sullivan is the football recruiting editor of The Wolverine magazine and thewolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @tims_wolverine.

At one point, coveted Detroit King wide receiver recruit Donnie Corley was scheduled to pick his college destination Tuesday.

Detroit King’s Lavert Hill scores a touchdown against Lowell at Ford Field in Detroit on Nov. 27, 2015.

That didn’t happen. But he did tweet an interesting nugget: He now plans to make his announcement alongside teammate Lavert Hill, a recent Penn State decommitment.

Both are considered four-star prospects in the 2016 class by rivals.com.

Corley, listed at 6-feet-2 and 187 pounds, is believed to be most interested in Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Tennessee.

Hill, a 5-11, 173-pound cornerback, is considering most of the same schools and also has tweeted interest in UCLA and USC since the joint announcement was revealed.

Corley and Hill did not give a timetable for their planned announcement. National Signing Day is in February.

Meanwhile, five-star Ann Arbor Skyline linebacker Daelin Hayes is scheduled to pick his school Thursday. He’s expected to choose Notre Dame or MSU.

Me and @Hit_Squad9 will be committing on the same day, stay tuned 😈😈 👀
—
Ghost (@VertHill21) December 07, 2015

Me and @VertHill21 will be committing on the same day, stay tune 😈😈
—
Donnie Corley (@Hit_Squad9) December 07, 2015

Just locked my official visit in Jan 15 USC 🌴🌴👀 #FightOn ✌🏾️
—
Ghost (@VertHill21) December 09, 2015

Just had a great conversation with Coach Martin from UCLA 🙌🏾 Can't wait to go there and check the place out 🌴🌴 #4'sUP
—
Ghost (@VertHill21) December 08, 2015

All-Detroit football: Corley a great catch for King
All-state football: Dream team offense
All-state football: Dream team defense

Farmington fullback David Reese

Even with a class over 20 recruits for 2016, Michigan is still in on a number of high-level targets.

And spots continue to open.

On Wednesday night, U-M had its second decommitment in the class in a week as Farmington linebacker David Reese announced on Twitter he was withdrawing his pledge. He follows Norco, Calif., athlete Victor Viramontes, who recently changed his mind.

The 6-foot-1, 238-pound Reese cited the chance to enroll early in January as important and apparently that wasn’t an option at U-M.

https://t.co/NDlpNJipaV
—
REESE3⃣ (@Dreese18) December 10, 2015

The No. 12 player in the state, according to Rivals, he committed in the spring and his position in the class was never clear, whether at fullback or linebacker.

Recruiting: Full coverage

Signing Day 2016: Feb. 3

Photos: 2015 Sound Mind Sound Body

According to TheWolverine.com’s Brandon Brown, Reese has hinted at this for awhile, taking visits to Nebraska, Florida and TCU in the past five weeks.

After announcing the decommitment, he retweeted a photo of him with Florida assistant Randy Shannon.

Linebacker target David Reese with #UF assistant Randy Shannon tonight https://t.co/32nQ0tM1C0
—
Blake Alderman (@MistaAlderman) December 10, 2015

Earlier this week he retweeted photos of himself, one with Nebraska’s linebackers coach, and one with Texas head coach Charlie Strong.

This leaves Michigan with 20 players currently committed in the class.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder. Download our new Wolverines Xtra app on iTunes and Android!

West Bloomfield wide receiver Trishton Jackson

Multiple players committed to Michigan State made a move up the Rivals.com position rankings and that has vaulted the Spartans up the team rankings. Three players who were previously three-star recruits were bumped up to four-stars.

DT Panasiuk moves into Rivals 250

MSU defensive tackle commit Mike Panasiuk of Roselle (Ill.) Lake Park High School not only received a fourth star, he moved into the Rivals250. Rivals.com Midwest Analyst Josh Helmholdt had the following to say about Panasiuk.

“The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Panasiuk has always been one of the strongest prospects in the 2016 class, but his move to four-stars and into the Rivals250 was due to showing as a senior that he is more than a space-eater in the middle,” Rivals.com Midwest analyst Josh Helmholdt said. “The Michigan State commit displayed a level of athleticism we had not seen from him earlier and proved he can get after the quarterback.”

Recruiting: Full coverage

Signing Day 2016: Feb. 3

Photos: 2015 Sound Mind Sound Body

Overlooked Detroit product CB King thriving at Iowa

Jackson and Lyke gets four-star recognition

West Bloomfield wide receiver Trishton Jackson and Palatine (Ill.) Fremd safety Kenney Lyke both received four-star designation from Rivals.com after outstanding play this fall.

“Jackson earned an offer by showing a tremendous pair of hands at its summer camp and committed shortly thereafter,” Helmholdt said. “Although having a slight build on his 6-foot-2 frame, Jackson showed as a senior he can take the punishment by playing quarterback. He is an exceptional route-runner and has outstanding body control.”

The ideal safety prospect has the athleticism and speed to provide range in coverage while also possessing the size and physicality to come up and support the run game. That describes the 6-2, 185-pound Lyke perfectly. An MSU commit, Lyke showed throughout the off-season that he can handle Division I-caliber wide receivers and tight ends in coverage, and senior film showed he can run the alleys and stuff ball carriers.”

The improved rankings of the above recruits also impacts the Rivals.com team rankings. The MSU class of 2016 is currently 13th in the nation and third in the Big Ten behind only Ohio State and Michigan. The Wolverines have a higher ranked class because of more commitments that the Spartans (20 to 18). If you compare the classes based on individual player rankings, the Spartans move ahead of Michigan (3.44 to 3.38), trailing only Ohio State. The Spartans are one of only four teams in the nation with double-digit four-star recruits, along with Ohio State, Florida State and Texas A&M.

Hayes to decide today

All-America linebacker prospect Daelin Hayes of Ann Arbor Skyline High School will make his college choice at 12:30 p.m. today. Hayes is a five-star recruit and the No. 1 prospect in Michigan for the class of 2016.

He has over 40 BCS scholarship offers from coast to coast and has narrowed down his choices to MSU and Notre Dame. Both Mark Dantonio and Brian Kelly had in-home visits with Hayes and his family on Monday.

Most believe that the Irish are the team to beat for his services, though the fact that he hosted both coaches means that anything is possible.

Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for spartanmag.com and rivals.com.

Iowa’s Desmond King

ATLANTA – Iowa’s Desmond King has won the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation’s best defensive back.

The award was presented Thursday night.

King, a junior cornerback from Detroit King, led Iowa with eight interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown, this season. He is the first Iowa player to win the honor. He became the Big Ten’s seventh winner, tying the Southeastern Conference for the lead.

King was selected over Duke’s Jeremy Cash and Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III.

Louisville’s Gerod Holliman won the award last year.

College Footbal Awards

Winners of the 2015 college football awards, presented Thursday:

Walter Camp National Player of the Year — Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

Maxwell Award (best all-around player) — Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award — Deshaun Watson, Clemson

Doak Walker Award (outstanding running back) — Derrick Henry, Alabama

Fred Biletnikoff Award (outstanding receiver) — Corey Coleman, Baylor

Chuck Bedarnik Trophy (best defensive player) — Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple

Outland Trophy (outstanding collegiate interior lineman) — Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford

Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) — Desmond King, Iowa

Lou Groza Award (outstanding place-kicker) — Ka’imi Fairbairn, UCLA

Ray Guy Award (best punter) — Tom Hackett, Utah

Sports Spirit Award — Hank Goff, Concordia (Saint Paul, Minn.)

Coach of the Year — Dabo Swinney, Clemson

NCFAA Contribution to College Football Award — Barry Switzer

Ann Arbor Skyline linebacker Daelin Hayes practices Aug. 11, 2015, in Ann Arbor.

Linebacker Daelin Hayes, left, and his mother, Lakeshia Neal, smile after Hayes committed to Notre Dame at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015.

Daelin Hayes had been committed to play football at Southern Cal for more than a year when then-coach Steve Sarkisian was suspended early this season.

That was the opening the five-star recruit from Ann Arbor Skyline needed to begin exploring his options.

“That’s when I started to have my doubts a little bit — maybe this is too far away, maybe, with the coaching instability, maybe I shouldn’t go all the way out there,’’ Hayes said. “That’s when I started to lean a little bit more towards Notre Dame.’’

The linebacker leaned all the way to Notre Dame today when, in a Bleacher Report video, he committed to the Fighting Irish and said he will enroll in school in January so he can participate in spring practice.

I am announcing my commitment to... bleacherreport.com/articles/25977…
—
⚡️Daelin Hayes⚡️ (@DaelinHayes_24) December 10, 2015

One of the biggest factors in Hayes’ decision was Notre Dame’s academic reputation.

“For me, in my situation,’’ he said, “I know football can end just like that.’’

Does he ever. The state’s only 2016 five-star recruit hasn’t played much football in his high school career.

A labrum injury suffered on the third play of the opening game of his sophomore season forced him to miss the remainder of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s season.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder began his junior season at Ventura St. Bonaventure in California, but a custody battle brought him back to Michigan after three games, and his season was over.

His senior season at Skyline ended early in the third game, when he suffered another labrum injury — to his right shoulder, this time — which led to surgery Nov. 17.

“I’m great,’’ he said. “I’ll be cleared for spring ball.’’

Hayes also strongly considered Michigan State and Ohio State and said it was difficult making his final decision.

But playing a part in the decision was a recent conversation with Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith, who recently won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. Smith basically told him to forget about football and go where he felt most comfortable.

“That was my ‘ah ha’ moment in the recruiting process,’’ Hayes said. “Being able to reflect on everything and, once I officially took football out of the equation, it seemed like a no-brainer. I believe to make a decision based purely off of athletics is kind is foolish. Why not maximize every opportunity on and off the field that college presents? And in picking that college, I felt that Notre Dame was the best platform to do so.’’

Notre Dame coaches said they will use Hayes in the same manner they used Smith.

“Having that as a platform, almost of what I would do when I came into Notre Dame, was big for me, just having that as an example,’’ he said. “One of the biggest things I wanted to see in my recruitment was, ‘don’t tell me, show me,’ and their track record obviously spoke for itself.’’

Hayes’ father, Derrick Hayes, played basketball at Detroit Mercy. He said he is relieved that he won’t have to travel to California to see his son play college football.

“Committing early, I think that was a little hiccup in the program,’’ he said. “But I think it all came full circle for him. He used to talk about Notre Dame as a freshman, so when it came all back around, I knew it was all meant to be.’’

As soon as Sarkisian was suspended, Hayes visited Notre Dame.

No. 1 player: AA Skyline’s Hayes has unmatched potential

“When I took the visit to Notre Dame, I felt that was an environment where I would fit,’’ he said. “Once the coaching situation did what it did, I knew that was God telling me this is where I needed to be.’’

The Michigan State football team.

One of the players in Michigan that is starting to garner more recruiting attention is U-D Jesuit’s Scott Nelson. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound prospect had an outstanding junior season and college coaches are taking notice.

Nelson starred on both sides of the ball for U-D this past fall and was an All-State selection at two positions. On offense, he accounted for 1,955 all-purpose yards and scored 21 touchdowns at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He also had 55 tackles and five interceptions.

Michigan State hosted Nelson on campus earlier this fall and he said he enjoyed his time in East Lansing.

“Michigan State was great,” Nelson said. “Before the game, we got to eat and were introduced to all of the coaches. After that, we got to go down to the field for warm-ups and that was really cool being so close to the players. I hope to visit Michigan State sometime before the season ends if I can.”

U-D ended the season 6-4 and was knocked out of the playoffs by eventual Division 2 state champion Detroit King, 35-24. Nelson rushed for over 100 yards and had a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown in that game. At one point the Cubs led, 24-21, before All-America wide receiver Donnie Corley was able to make some big plays for the Crusaders.

After football, Nelson rolled right into basketball. For that reason, he did not make a lot of other college gameday visits, but he plans on visiting several schools this winter if his schedule permits. No doubt he will be invited to multiple junior day functions.

“Boston College visited last Monday and they offered me (Tuesday),” Nelson said. “Notre Dame also stopped by my school (Wednesday).”

The scholarship from Boston College is Nelson’s second BCS offer. Northwestern was his first. In addition to the Spartans and Fighting Irish, schools like Purdue and Western Michigan are in frequent contact and it may not be long before the Broncos and Boilermakers extend a scholarship offer.

The MSU staff was unable to hit the road last week while preparing for the Big Ten championship game. This week, they have been visiting all of the committed players for the class of 2016. I look for them to get into U-D Jesuit in January when the visit period opens back up. The Spartans will almost certainly invite Nelson to one of their junior day functions.

Hayes selects Irish

Rivals.com’s No. 1 player in Michigan for the class of 2016, Ann Arbor Skyline’s Daelin Hayes, selected Notre Dame over MSU on Thursday. This is the second time in the last four years that the Fighting Irish have been able to secure a commitment from the No. 1 prospect in Michigan. Notre Dame signed Midland offensive tackle Steve Elmer in 2013. MSU landed Southfield defensive tackle Malik McDowell in 2014 and Ohio State signed Detroit Cass Tech running back Mike Weber in 2015.

Matt Dorsey is a recruiting analyst for SpartanMag.com and Rivals.com.

U-D Jesuit’s Cassius Winston, right with his finger up, celebrates with his teammates after he made the game winning shot as time ran out for their game 56-54 win over Clarkston in their boys basketball Class A quarterfinals at Calihan Hall on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Detroit.

ALL PLAYERS SENIORS UNLESS NOTED

1. U-D Jesuit

2014-15 record: 22-4.

Outlook: Class A semifinalists the past two seasons, the Cubs are the odds-on favorite to win the state championship behind the play of the state’s No. 1 player, guard Cassius Winston (MSU). In the off-season, he improved his deep shooting range. Junior Greg Eboigbodin, 6-9, is a tremendous rebounder and will block a boatload of shots. Junior Ike Eke has developed a jump shot and is more confident. Matt Schearer is the team’s glue guy, specializing in defense. Sophomore Elijah Collins is another defender, and he has improved his scoring. Freshmen Julian Dozier (point guard) and 6-8 Jalen Thomas (post) will contribute, and 6-6 junior Kamani Johnson, a transfer from Kentucky, will add three-point shooting and rebounding when he becomes eligible in January.

2. Wyoming Godwin Heights

2014-15 record: 26-1.

Outlook: The defending Class B champs will be good enough to repeat, thanks to the return of four starters. They will be led by Leon Redd, the most explosive scorer on the team. Richard Major, the only other senior, is more consistent and will provide more scoring. Junior Christian Rodriguez has improved his shooting and is an excellent passer. Sophomore Lamar Norman, 6-3, has grown a couple of inches and will need to grow into the role of a rebounder. The development of sophomore Markeese Hastings, 6-5, will be a key to Heights’ state tournament success.

3. Macomb Dakota

2014-15 record: 21-3.

Outlook: This should be Macomb County’s No. 1 team with the county’s No. 1 point guard — junior Jermaine Jackson Jr. (16 points per game last season) — leading the way and being more of a distributor. Steven Marshall, who has been a fixture in the backcourt since his freshman year, gives the Cougars two players capable of playing either guard spot. Sophomore Thomas Kithier, 6-8, became a defensive presence last season and will be more of a scoring threat this season. Jacob Patton adds a perimeter shooter and a good rebounder to the mix.

4. Grand Rapids Christian

2014-15 record: 12-10.

Outlook: The big news is the transfers of 6-9, 260-pound junior Xavier Tillman from Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and 6-7 junior James Beck from Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills. Tillman was a first-team Class A all-stater as a sophomore and a do-it-all player. Beck is an inside player developing his perimeter game. They won’t be eligible until the second semester, but they will make Christian a Class A contender. Until then, the load will rest with sophomore point guard Duane Washington and 6-5 junior wingman Emmett Warners, who were good players last season.

5. Detroit East English

2014-15 record: 19-5.

Outlook: George Mason commit Kamari Newman (23 points) should be the best player in the PSL, and this should be the best team in the PSL. Chris Rollins (IPFW) is an excellent point guard who has improved his on-the-ball defense. Junior Gregory Elliott, 6-3, has grown a couple of inches to become the most improved player on the team and has a high basketball IQ. Jaylin McFadden (Ferris State), 6-4, is a defensive specialist who must come through on the boards. Cedrick Lattimore (Iowa football), 6-5, adds toughness and gives the Bulldogs someone who can score with his back to the basket. Nate Boleware and Lamar Neely will provide scoring off the bench.

6. Ypsilanti

2014-15 record: 19-5.

Outlook: Corey Allen (Detroit Mercy) is back and should be the leading scorer for the fourth straight season. This season, he moves from the post to the point and leads a team that will be better when Ray’Jon Williams-Jackson recovers from a medial collateral injury. Mike Bruce, a 6-5 transfer from Belleville, will help on the perimeter and inside. Junior Marlin Talley adds depth at the point, and junior Jamezell Davis is a definite perimeter threat. Sophomore John Perkins, 6-6, and Jalen Maxwell, 6-4, will make Ypsi tough inside.

7. North Farmington

2014-15 record: 20-4.

Outlook: The record might not be as impressive this season, but only because of a more challenging schedule that will make the Raiders state contenders come March. Jacob Joubert has started every game since his freshman season and is an effective point guard. Billy Thomas is a scorer from the perimeter as while attacking the basket. Junior Amauri Hardy, a transfer from Southfield, is a capable point guard who can play a variety of spots and will add depth. The player who might put the Raiders over the top is 6-8 junior Nate Brooks, a transfer from Georgia who is an athletic post player and can be a dominating force in the paint.

8. West Bloomfield

2014-15 record: 18-3.

Outlook: With high-scoring Trishton Jackson (Michigan State football) and junior Kevin McAdoo, the Lakers have one of the top backcourts in the state, and junior Javion Johnson and Gervon Winn make the backcourt ridiculously deep. Jackson needs to stuff the stat sheet, especially rebounding-wise, and he and McAdoo are capable of playing either guard spot. Alex Sandberg, 6-5, can stretch the floor and play inside. Aubrey Hainsworth, 6-5, is an active inside player.

9. Detroit Renaissance

2014-15 record: 14-8.

Outlook: The Phoenix will contend for the PSL title and maybe more. Justin Turner, 6-4, is more consistent and playing like he did as a sophomore when he averaged 21 points. Alaric Jackson, 6-7 (10 points, 12 rebounds), is a beast inside and moves well for his size. Richard Talley, who was injured in the first round of the PSL tournament, is back, knows how to run the offense and will check the other team’s best player. Sophomore Jalen Tobias, 6-5, showed flashes of brilliance last season and is due for a breakout season. Freshman Chandler Turner, 6-4, is a top-notch shooter and will do more as the season progresses.

10. Kalamazoo Central

2014-15 record: 23-4.

Outlook: The Maroon Giants have a nice blend of experience and youth, and everyone can play more than one position, which will make them contenders in Class A again. Junior Isaiah Livers, 6-8, is highly skilled and versatile. He can score in the post with his back to the basket and play on the perimeter. Orlando Little, 6-4, can drill three-pointers and score in the paint. Jeremiah Richard is a lightning-quick point guard who is a terror in transition and has improved the range on his jumper. Junior Rog Stein, 6-5, is a rugged inside player who will provide points in the paint and will be a powerful rebounder.

11. Clarkston

2014-15 record: 24-1.

Outlook: The Wolves might not win as many games this season, but they will be dangerous come tournament time. Sophomore Foster Loyer (17.3 points, five assists) is a terrific point guard who knows how the game is supposed to be played. Tabin Throgmorton, 6-5, can shoot it and is a sleeper. Junior Dylan Alderson, 6-4, is a transfer from Davison who is another good shooter, and he can get to the basket. Mitch Heaton, 6-5, will help with rebounding, and Ryan Holmes is a steady off-guard.

12. Detroit Western

2014-15 record: 26-0.

Outlook: The defending Class A state champs graduated some talent, but don’t be surprised if the Cowboys are in the mix again. Brailen Neely (Oakland) has evolved into a crafty point guard who can pass and score with the best of them. Armani Tinsley is a deadly three-point shooter. Karim Murray is a do-it-all small forward who can defend and score. Jaye Patrick, 6-5, can shoot it and isn’t afraid to mix it up inside. Junior Josh Long, 6-5, adds a physical inside presence and runs the court. Kyree Boyton begins his fourth year as the sixth man; he comes off the bench and cools off opposing scorers.

13. Stevensville Lakeshore

2014-15 record: 18-3.

Outlook: You won’t find this kind of size on many Class B teams. Braden Burke (Robert Morris), 6-11 (16 points, 10 rebounds), is dynamite inside and can catch the ball on the perimeter and shoot it or attack the basket. Logan Steffes is in his third year running the point, and most people don’t know how good he has become. Junior Max Gaishin, 6-7, plays terrific defense, rebounds better and passes better than most. Gibson Archer is the glue guy who cleans up a lot of messes at both ends of the floor. There is good depth with two 6-6 inside players in Alex Warman and junior Colin Brushwyler, an emerging star. Junior guards Shane Clapp and Luke Meyer add instant offense.

14. Warren De La Salle

2014-15 record: 15-10.

Outlook: Wing Kevin McKay (CMU) has improved his three-point shooting and is 271 points away from the school’s career scoring record, which is quite an achievement given the Pilots’ history. Junior Jack Ballantyne, 6-10, moves well for his size and needs to become more assertive rebounding and shot-blocking for the Pilots to become a force in the Central Division. Sophomore Luke Pfromm, 6-4, will help inside and on the perimeter. Sophomore Justin Fischer could become an exceptional point guard. Collin Roach is the defensive stopper.

15. New Haven

2014-15 record: 25-1.

Outlook: This outfit will be a contender in Class B, built around three talented seniors. Innocent Nwoko, 6-9 (Central Michigan), was more of a defender and shot blocker last season, but his offense is rounding into shape. Jerry Ben, 6-9 (Cornell), has improved his defense and rebounding. Alante Stevens brings experience and defense to the lineup. Junior Eric Williams, 6-4, is a natural perimeter scorer. Junior guard William Moore adds quickness, and sophomore Tavares Oliver will run the point and shoot from the perimeter. Look for contributions from 6-6 freshman Romeo Weems and 6-6 Ashton Sherrell.

16. East Lansing

2014-15 record: 12-9.

Outlook: This should be the best team in the Lansing area and will revolve around 6-8, 225-pound sophomore Brandon Johns, who has gained 30 pounds over the summer. He hit 45% of his three-point attempts last season and will improve on that as he spends more time on the perimeter. Junior Weston Myles has a high basketball IQ and can push the ball on the break and get it to the right person. Junior Caleb Hoekstra is a terrific three-point shooter. Junior DeAndre Robinson can hit the perimeter shot and drive to the basket.

17. Walled Lake Central

2014-15 record: 20-6.

Outlook: Nobody attacks the basket like Walter Kelser (18 points), and no one spends more time at the free-throw line. The offense will run through Kelser, and junior point guard Dylan Hudspeth gives Central a solid backcourt. Anton Lucha, 6-4, is an excellent shooter who doubles as a lockdown defender. Malik Abiola, 6-5, is Central’s low post presence and will protect the paint. Sophomore Houston Tucker, 6-4, and Nako Zielger are threats on the wing.

18. Onsted

2014-15 record: 19-5.

Outlook: This team will revolve around the top big man in the state — 6-10 Austin Davis (Michigan), who will be an automatic double-double (26 points, 17 rebounds). He is almost unstoppable in the paint and relentless on the boards. If teams devote too much attention to him, 6-6 junior Skylar Lipinski can score in the paint, but he can knock down perimeter shots, too. The Wildcats have three perimeter players who are all combo guards. Dallas Heidbreder gets the ball to the correct people. Sophomore James Dietrich is a slasher and is aggressive taking the ball to the basket. Junior Gabe Richardson’s outside shooting will be crucial when teams pack the paint to stop Davis.

19. Flint Beecher

2014-15 record: 26-1.

Outlook: The defending Class C state champs will have a shot at repeating, especially with the way 6-4 Aquavius Burks is able to play all five positions and dominate them all. Junior Levane Blake, 6-8, has developed into one of the top post defenders in the state and can block shots or rebound with anyone, but he will battle an ankle injury early in the season. Junior guard Jordan Roland has made remarkable progress since last season, and 6-6 junior Delon Willis will have to carry the load inside until Blake is healthy. All-state football player Jalani Taylor (Cornell football) will provide athleticism.

20. River Rouge

2014-15 record: 19-6.

Outlook: Look for an improved Rouge team with a well-balanced scoring attack. Junior point guard Darian Owens-White always has been a pass-first guy, but he has improved his scoring over the summer. Junior Delantae Peterson, 6-4, is capable of playing either forward spot and scoring inside. Dorian Watson, 6-3, a transfer from South Lyon East, is a physical guard who is a tough matchup. Robert Blackwell, a stalwart from the football team, will be the defensive specialist, and 6-7 Javon Lawrence has a soft touch from the perimeter.

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Mick McCabe’s top 100 boys basketball players

Battle Creek Central linebacker Brandon Randle

Brandon Randle and Demetric Vance are watching Michigan State’s run to the College Football Playoff from afar, waiting for their time to become Spartans.

Donnie Corley is nearing a decision on where he will play in college. Mark Dantonio got a chance to make another up-close impression to him Sunday.

The two MSU commitments for 2016, linebacker Randle out of Battle Creek Central and safety Vance from Detroit Cass TEch, joined recruiting target Corley on stage as members of the Detroit Free Press Dream Team at the Free Press’ Football Awards Banquet at the Dearborn Inn. Dantonio was the keynote speaker at the event, which is held in partnership with the State of Michigan Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Corley, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver from Division 2 state champion Detroit King, said he remains undecided between MSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Tennessee and Notre Dame. He hasn’t set a date yet to make his announcement, but he plans to enroll next month wherever he selects.

“I just want to make sure I’m 100% with it,” said Corley, who has a 3.6 GPA and also received a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete award. “I don’t want to de-commit. And I want to be comfortable.”

Corley said he and King classmate Lavert Hill, a defensive back and fellow Free Press Dream Team member, plan to announce their college choices at the same time. MSU and Michigan also are among the top suitors for Hill, who recently de-committed from Penn State. Both are listed as four-star recruits by Rivals.com.

Jack Allen named first-team All-America

Because he plans to enroll early, Corley said he has to make his choice before schools’ admissions offices close for Christmas.

“We haven’t set a day yet, but it’s gotta be soon,” Corley said. “This is going by fast. Freshman year just seems like yesterday. I’m excited to get there and get bigger, faster and stronger.”

Sunday’s banquet gave the two future Spartans a chance to get in both Corley and Hill’s ears and make their pitch to join them in East Lansing.

“Do I work on him? Somewhat, I guess,” said Randle, a four-star recruit. “But everyone’s going through the process in their own way, and I’m sure he has a bunch of people trying to persuade him. But at the end of the day, he’s going to do what he wants to do. I know how that is.”

Said Vance, a crosstown rival: “Me and Donnie, we got a good relationship. We talk about it. But I’m not one of those guys to keep pressuring him about it. I ask him sometimes. It all depends on his decision. But right now, I think we’re looking pretty good.”

Neither Randle nor Vance plan to enroll early at MSU. They both plan to watch the Spartans on Dec. 31 when they play Alabama in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The winner of that game will play for the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 11.

“It excites me to know that I’m going to a school that’s two games away from winning a national championship,” Vance said. “I know when I get there that there’s gonna be some competition, so I gotta step up.”

Detroit Free Press sport writer Perry A. Ferrell, left, and Detroit Free Press executive editor Robert Huschka, photographed with Dream Team award winner David Reese from Farmington High School, during the 2015 Detroit Free Press Football Awards Banquet on Sunday, December 13, 2015, in Dearborn, MI

Farmington linebacker David Reese decommitted from Michigan on Dec. 9 because he felt he had no other option.

He’s done with high school and was ready to come to Ann Arbor to start in January, but U-M coach Jim Harbaugh wasn’t open to that.

“They wanted me to come in June, with the regular kids because he was looking forward to taking offensive kids early but I really wanted to start in January,” Reese said Sunday at the Dearborn Inn, where he was honored as one of the National Football Foundation/Detroit Free Press Dream Team All-State players. “We had those conversations. … But I stayed committed through that whole time, looking to hear if anything changed but then it got to the point where I was taking my visits and time was running down.”

The most recent of those visits came this weekend to Texas, which captivated him.

“I had a great time, coach (Charlie) Strong is an unbelievable person and I feel like the relationship we built is going to be very strong,” Reese said. “He opened up with his arms and welcomed me to his family.”

He noted that Texas’ record was subpar but the wins over Oklahoma and Baylor show a program on the rise. He has also visited Florida, TCU and Nebraska.

Planning to enroll for January, he knows the decision will have to come very soon.

The recruiting experience at the other schools gives him a contrast to U-M.

“Michigan will always be my home, I’ll always love this place to death but it’s quite different to see the way being an out-of-state kid going into a different territory,” he said.

After the banquet, Reese, still in his tuxedo, was photographed with Florida head coach Jim McElwain and defensive coordinator Randy Shannon. The two visited Reese this evening.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder. Download our new Wolverines Xtra app on iTunes and Android !

U-M lands a 2017 receiver commitment

Michigan assistant coach Tyrone Wheatley speaks Sunday at the Dearborn Inn. Before he starred at U-M and in the NFL, Wheatley led Dearborn Heights Robichaud to the Class B state title in 1990, rushing, passing, kicking and punting.

Tyrone Wheatley couldn’t believe it had been 25 years.

Honored by the National Football Foundation Sunday for the 25th anniversary of his appearing on the Free Press Dream Team, Wheatley was stunned at where the years had gone.

One of the greatest football players in state history, shining especially in 1990 with his 2,010 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns, he warranted the honor.

Later he starred at Michigan, then played more than a decade in the NFL.

But remembering how in 1990 he carried Dearborn Heights Robichaud to the Class B state title, rushing, passing, kicking and punting in the title-game win, the memories were thick.

With that perspective and his family in attendance, he wanted to tell the current Dream Teamers to appreciate where they are — because it’s fleeting.

“This is an exclusive club,” Wheatley said. “Be exclusive, don’t try to be like everybody else. Because you’re not, everybody else isn’t sitting up here with you. …

“When you go to your selected colleges, make Michigan proud. Because when you sit in that locker room, you’re going to have guys from other places in other states. I’m just telling you from experience, even if you make it to the NFL, make Michigan proud. Represent the state of Michigan.”

After a career that spanned from New York, playing for the Giants, to California, playing for the Oakland Raiders, Wheatley returned to Michigan, embracing his roots.

He worked as an assistant track coach at Michigan, following his passion for that sport. Discovering his high school needed a football coach, he took on that task for a year and re-energized that program. He became an Eastern Michigan assistant.

Wheatley could have lived anywhere or done anything given his on-field success. Yet he felt a connection to his state, so it meant something to build his coaching career here.

That’s why when he took the podium to accept the award Sunday, he was able to recall Jerome Bettis, who starred on the Dream Team the year before him in 1989, and Mill Coleman, a rare two-time Dream Teamer, who gave Sunday’s invocation and was every bit as electric as Wheatley in high school.

Returning to the state was his passion. To advance in his coaching career, Wheatley had left in 2010, working for Syracuse and then the Buffalo Bills.

But when another fork arrived in his career last January, he chose to come back and become Michigan’s running backs coach.

Coming back to Ann Arbor to work for Jim Harbaugh has been a unique experience.

Wheatley loved his time as a Michigan athlete and, like Harbaugh, he wanted to help bring the U-M program back to prominence.

So in that sense, this season has been a success.

“Anytime you’re on the positive side, the winning side, it’s good,” he said before the banquet, referring to the Wolverines’ four-win improvement to 9-3 with the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl against Florida remaining. “But you always want, the competitor in you, you want your expectations to be always high. I think Coach Harbaugh said it best, we got our dignity back. At the same time, you still want to get double-digit wins in the regular season.”

He has evaluated players across the country and is recruiting everywhere, shown by his appearance in Alabama last week with U-M tailback commitment Kingston Davis.

At home, though, are players he feels are worth more than many claim.

“I know I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t like when people say: ‘Texas is the greatest state of football.’ I don’t like when they talk about Florida, and they say, ‘Florida is the greatest state of football,’ ” he said. “I’ll be damned if I take this group of guys right here and we’ll go out and play anybody in another state and whoop them.

“I’m honored to be here with you guys. Make the most of it and make Michigan proud.”

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder. Download our new Wolverines Xtra app on iTunes and Android!

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio speaks as the Free Press’ Kevin Bull, left, and others listen at the banquet. Dantonio emphasized dreaming big, handling adversity and driving forward during his speech.

Mark Dantonio flashed back to the late fall of 2006, shortly after he’d been hired as Michigan State’s football coach. He’d come to the Detroit Free Press Football Awards Banquet to help honor the All-State Dream Team and to get to know some of his fellow coaches from around the state.

That night at the Dearborn Inn still sticks with him. He revisited it Sunday night as guest speaker at the annual awards banquet, in the same room to the same audience.

“There was an air of disrespect for Michigan State football. And I sat here and I listened to whoever was master of ceremony that particular day disrespect Michigan State,” Dantonio said Sunday night at the annual awards ceremony. “And I can tell you this — at that point in time, when I got up there to talk, I said we would measure up. And I think we’ve been able to do that with a lot of hard work.”

On Sunday, Dantonio sat next to Mark Hollis, who received the Distinguished American Award from the Free Press and the State of Michigan Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. They whispered and chatted like brothers at the dinner table.

Their third-ranked Spartans are two wins away from a national championship. MSU will play No. 2 Alabama on Dec. 31 in the College Football Playoff national semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas.

But the two also talked a lot about what they’ve built at MSU in the past nine years.

“At Michigan State, we have a few things that we just hang on to. One is family,” Hollis told the 23 All-State football players and others while accepting his award. “It’s expanding your family every day, bringing people into your life that can have a positive impact. It’s preparation for what’s next, what’s around the corner as you play football — but more importantly, as you prepare for your life, what you’re going to do to become a contributing member of society.”

MSU athletic director Mark Hollis, winner of the Distinguished American Award, spoke of athletes needing to prepare for life after football.

Tony Versaci, a former MSU assistant coach and the president of the state’s NFF chapter, said he remembered that first year when Dantonio came to the banquet. Dantonio promised him then that he would attend every year. Other than last year — a recruiting dark period in which college coaches were not permitted to attend, per NCAA rules — the Spartan coach has been back for every banquet.

Versaci introduced Dantonio as “hopefully the coach of the national champion Michigan State Spartans,” but defined the coach more by his traits as a father, husband and friend.

“Coaches win because of discipline, character, convictions, honesty and, of course, strategy. That’s important to all coaches,” said Versaci, the former Dearborn Divine Child head coach. “We’re all very aware of the incredible record that Mark has had at Michigan State. But you know, it kind of pales in comparison to the type of person he is.”

Dantonio delivered many of the key phrases he uses with his own team, telling the high school athletes about dreaming big, handling adversity, overachieving and “driving forward.” He talked of “developing relationships” and about everyone having their own “story to tell.”

Like Hollis, remembering their family — blood relatives and extended — also was Dantonio’s key theme for the players as they prepare to embark on the next phase of their football careers.

“You’re writing your story as you go,” Dantonio said. “But as you’re finalizing your high school career, you gotta think back to that coach, that parent, that grandparent, that aunt, that uncle, that brother — that someone who was influential in your life to try and bring you to this point.

“Because we don’t get here by ourselves. It just doesn’t happen by ourselves.”

Detroit Free Press sports writer Perry A. Farrell, left, and Detroit Free Press executive editor Robert Huschka photographed with Dream Team award winner Michael Onwenu from Detroit Cass Tech during the 2015 Detroit Free Press Football Awards Banquet on Sunday in Dearborn.

Michael Onwenu has some decisions to make about where he plays at Michigan next season.

Recruited as an offensive guard, the Detroit Cass Tech star talks to U-M offensive line coach Tim Drevno weekly and has continued to all fall.

Whether he plays offense or defense may be up for debate.

“I just want to get there and see if I can, either or both,” Onwenu said Sunday at the Detroit Free Press Football Awards Banquet.

Onwenu, a 2016 commitment who plans to sign in February, sees the opportunity on the offensive line, with most of the linemen heading into their senior year next fall and having seen true freshman Grant Newsome get on the field this year.

But either side works for Onwenu, who currently weighs 360 pounds and is expected to be in the 325/330 range by the time he reports next summer.

“On offense, I like driving my man and stuff, but on defense, you get to hit people, release your anger,” he said. “Either one, I enjoy playing.”

His improvement this year focused on technique, which he knew would be important as he goes to college.

When he joined the class in early June, everything was about curiosity and uncertainty around the program. Coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff were selling hope.

After U-M’s 9-3 regular season, Onwenu felt even better about his decision.

“It was exciting because people thought they were going to 5-7 or do something bad and in about 3-4 years they’d be good,” he said. “But good to see that coach Harbaugh came in and did his job and turned it around in just a short time.”

■Briefly: The U-M Regents will be asked on Thursday to authorize issuing of bids for the $168-million Ross Competition and Performance Center. The board approved the schematic design for the facility — which will house men’s and women’s track, cross-country, lacrosse and women’s rowing — in May, and construction is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2018.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder. Download our new Wolverines Xtra app on iTunes and Android!

Wide receiver recruit Jeremiah Holloman, right, and Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh (light blue shirt) pose for a photo.

One area Michigan has lacked top-end talent in its recent recruiting classes has been at wide receiver. That certainly won’t be the case after a pair of split ends joined the U-M program last weekend. Michigan gained commitments from senior wideout Nate Johnson and junior Jeremiah Holloman.

Johnson pledged to U-M during an official visit just a couple days after earning a scholarship offer. Hailing from the suburbs of Nashville, he picked Michigan over Penn State, Tennessee and several others.

“I’m elusive, good hands, I can catch in traffic, and I can get upfield,” Johnson said. “I can make people miss. I can catch the hard passes. But not having catches isn’t a problem for me. I have great foot quickness getting off the line — I can say that. I run great routes.”

Recruiting: Full coverage

Signing Day 2016: Feb. 3

Photos: 2015 Sound Mind Sound Body

Recruiting: Taylor’s pledge could help U-M recruit Georgia

“He can get deep,” rivals.com Southeast recruiting analyst Woody Wommack added. “He might not have elite speed, but he knows how to use what he has, and that can be more important.”

Just a day later, Covington (Ga.) Newton junior Jeremiah ‘J.J.’ Holloman received a scholarship offer from U-M coach Jim Harbaugh. Despite several other options, including Cincinnati, Northwestern and Vanderbilt, the three-star receiver accepted immediately and became the fifth commitment in the 2017 class.

“It was an easy decision,” Holloman said. “Being at Michigan and having family being here, telling you about the experience — coming up here and seeing it for yourself, it’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s Michigan.’ When you’re at Michigan, you feel like you’re at home. When you feel like you’re at home, all you’ve got to do is make sure you can fit in with the football team.”

Holloman did just that, with classmate Kurt Taylor already committed to be a Wolverine. Holloman becomes the fifth member of Michigan’s 2017 class; all are three-star prospects. Holloman has one of the best chances of making an early move to four-star status.

“He’s a good athlete,” Wommack said. “He just hasn’t had a chance to refine his skills a whole lot yet. Getting in a good off-season (training) program will let him add some of the techniques to really be a good college prospect.”

David Reese.

Just days after decommitting from Michigan football, Farmington’s David Reese has found his new college home.

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound inside linebacker committed to Florida today and signed as an early enrollee. Gators coach Jim McElwain took to Twitter to welcome Reese to Florida this afternoon.

McElwain tweeted: “#ChompChomp!!! Excited to OFFICIALLY welcome David Reese @Dreese18 to the @GatorsFB family as a midyear enrollee.”

Reese had cited a desire to enroll early, which apparently was not an option at Michigan, where he committed last spring. He’s the No. 12 player in the state of Michigan, according to 247sports.com, and the No. 15 inside linebacker in the nation.

Recruiting: Full coverage

Signing Day 2016: Feb. 3

Photos: 2015 Sound Mind Sound Body