Rising Stars Preview: Grand Rapids Media Showcase

The Covid era of recruiting has changed a ton in terms of how coaches and prospects navigate the recruiting process. The addition of fall showcases to make up for a lack of season is one emerging trend that we have seen. Coaches that would typically be hosting prospects on campus and evaluating new game film, have been forced to adapt and look for new information to evaluate. Likewise, many prospects have been forced to look for new ways to showcase their ability in hopes of earning a college football scholarship. All of that being said, you can see why there will be plenty of eyes from the recruiting world on tomorrow’s showcase hosted by Coach Wynns of Rising Stars. A number of top prospects from across the state of Michigan and Illinois will be in attendance. From national level recruits, to talented 2021’s looking for their first offer, here are some players of note that will be attending... 2021 Headliners / Top Players Without FBS Offers DL [player_tooltip player_id="29550" first="Caleb" last="Banks"]- Southfield A&T: The Arizona State commit has 32 D1 offers and will undoubtedly be a headliner at the event. Any offensive lineman that is attending this camp better strap on their big man pads... Banks is a physical presence that will be looking to make some plays prior to the start of his HS season. QB [player_tooltip player_id="20223" first="Kaleb" last="Garner"]- Kenwood Academy (IL): I had a chance to see Kaleb at a camp last week, and it looks as though St. Thomas is getting a major steal with their recent commit. Garner lacks your prototypical QB size, but he is extremely athletic, and he can really spin the ball. DB [player_tooltip player_id="29672" first="Darryl" last="Cooper"]- Ecorse: Great combination of frame and athleticism. Has a number of offers but nothing at the FBS level right now. Type of kid that would probably have more going on had their been college camps this past summer. I expect big things out of him, and he is one to keep an eye on this season. DB [player_tooltip player_id="29605" first="Julius" last="Sims"]- Muskegon: The un-committed Sr safety comes in with 7 D1 offers. You'll love his length and play making ability on film. Sims doesn’t have any Power 5 offers right now, but with good Sr film, and the way defensive back boards tend to fall apart... you could see some P5 teams come calling. DB Tyrese Oakes- Muskegon: Another player from the talented Muskegon secondary will be on hand to give WR’s headaches. The 2021 safety is an impressive cover man could potentially slot at a few spots in the secondary including nickel. Like his teammate, Oakes will be on a number of Power 5 radars this season. DL [player_tooltip player_id="30034" first="Jake" last="LaBarre"]- Seaholm: I love the way Jake has developed physically. Has the frame of a D1 DE, and has improved his overall bend/athleticism since last season. A prospect for FCS and FBS watch lists. ATH [player_tooltip player_id="29821" first="Justin" last="Gabriel"]- Walled Lake Western: What Justin lacks in size, he makes up for in dynamic playmaking ability. He comes in with a number of offers, but currently Morgan State is his only FCS offer. If a team can get over the size, and look strictly at skill-set, they could get a steal here. OL Matthew Vallieres- Walled Lake Western: The massive OL prospect comes into this event with an handful of offers and some D1 interest. You cannot teach his frame, and that is really what you have to focus on when projecting him. It will be exciting to see how he has developed this off-season during tomorrows event. TE/WR [player_tooltip player_id="29902" first="Mitchell" last="DeBrincat"]- Lake Orion: I have never seen Mitchell in person, but I have heard some great things about him. The Sr has a great frame, moves well at this size, and can potentially play WR or TE at the next level. He comes into this event without FCS+ scholarship offers, but a good performance tomorrow and to open the season could change that. OL Tyler McMillan- River Rouge: The 6’5" 315 Sr OL has a physical pretense to him and the strength to go with it. DB [player_tooltip player_id="20341" first="Myles" last="Mooyoung"]- Kenwood Academy (IL): If there is a camp with players and competition at it, you know Myles is going to show up. A physical DB that loves the game, and is a standout at pretty much every event he attends. <ul> <li>2022 Watchlist</li> </ul> [player_tooltip player_id="30184" first="Andrew" last="DeVries"]- Zeeland East Jordan Clerkley- Okemos Mark Konecny- Mona Shores Raid Zerki- Orchard Lake St Mary’s [player_tooltip player_id="30188" first="Vinny" last="Booth"]- Devine Child [player_tooltip player_id="30143" first="Jackson" last="Pruitt"]- Cass Tech [player_tooltip player_id="30158" first="Myles" last="Walton"]- Muskegon Jaylan Byrd- East St Louis (IL) <ul> <li>2023 Watchlist</li> </ul> OL Myles McVay & [player_tooltip player_id="20842" first="Paris" last="Patterson"]- East St Louis (IL): These are two of the most physically impressive 2023 OL in the whole state of Illinois. Both move incredibly well at their size and have tremendous futures on the football field. [player_tooltip player_id="30324" first="Dylan" last="Senda"]- Divine Child [player_tooltip player_id="30318" first="Amir" last="Herring"]- West Bloomfield Ryan Boyd- East St Louis (IL)