Michigan High School football ‘Freaks’ list – 2021 season

Playmakers are rare to come by as they can completely change the way an offense operates. With a playmaker who can create something out of nothing, teams feel less pressure to take big shots and instead can find creative ways to get the player the ball. Players like DeVonta Smith and Travis Etienne dominate at the college level because they can take the ball and score from any part of the field. It’s becoming a staple of the game and the type of player every team should strive to find. But it’s not just the offensive players utilizing their dynamic physical attributes on the field. Defensive end’s like Michigan’s Kwity Paye and cornerbacks like South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn present athleticism that jumps off the film. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman compiles a list of the top athletes in college football for his own version of the FREAKS list. For Prep Redzone Michigan, I’ve decided to the same. In a state with tons of past playmakers who dominated at the high school, college, and professional level, Michigan will indeed be a hub for premium talent in the 2022 class. Here are some of the most athletic players in the state for the fall 2021 season: [player_tooltip player_id="30130" first="Christian" last="Rapley"] Rapley is tons of fun to watch on film due to his competitive nature. He flies around the field making plays every single game. The Belleville receiver is twitchy and can explode down the field on go routes. He’ll be a hot commodity among college recruiters during the 2021 season. https://twitter.com/RealChrisRapley/status/1289582232403877888?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30128" first="Alex" last="VanSumeren"] There aren’t many athletes in Michigan that can match up with the shear size of VanSumeren. He is explosive out of his stance and has a no prisoners attitude. VanSumeren has all immense strength and physicality on the interior of the defensive line and it shows when you look at the schools that have offered him scholarships. The Garber defensive lineman is gonna be a ton of fun to watch in his senior season. https://twitter.com/alexvansumeren/status/1401557131971674112?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="80918" first="William" last="Johnson"] The Michigan commit is set to have a monster career in Ann Arbor. Johnson is as good of a cornerback as there is in the nation and it’s because of his play style. He’s a fierce competitor who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. Johnson has the stop and start ability of some of the best players in the country. He can get physical and play with an edge as well, which shows on film. https://twitter.com/Willj1228/status/1401992583409278977?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30133" first="Dillon" last="Tatum"] Tatum is one of the best players in the country and when you turn the film on, you can see why. He’s explosive through his runs and has the foot speed of an elite running back. His ability to play both sides of the ball is no surprise as he’s always the smoothest athlete on the field. Tatum is a tremendous player with an extremely high ceiling. https://twitter.com/PrimeTimeDill/status/1368654989753778180?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30148" first="Lynn" last="Wyche-El"] The Detroit King wide receiver is as tough a receiver to cover as you’ll find in Michigan. His burst off the line of scrimmage is lethal and defenses feel his presence on the outside. What makes Wyche-El’s game so fun to watch is his ability to get in and out of his cuts smoothly. His footwork is flawless and will transition to the next level well. https://twitter.com/LynnWycheElJr/status/1367639042804883457?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30135" first="Michael" last="Williams"] The phrase "closing the gap" is often used when defenders pursue the ball carrier at a fast rate. Williams closing speed is elite and a main reason he is on the list. His ability to stack, shed, and get in the backfield is impressive at such a young age. Having good play recognition is coveted at the linebacker/defensive end position and Williams shows he has mastered it. https://twitter.com/TheFuture247/status/1353719306182393862?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30134" first="Jaden" last="Mangham"] If you throw it Mangham’s way, he will catch it. His ability to high point the football and use his agility to catch passes makes him a deserving candidate of the ’Freak’ title. Mangham has loads of offers at the moment and it’s not a surprise at all. He’s the real deal with plenty of football left for him to play. https://twitter.com/JadenMangham/status/1359155846157135883?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30132" first="Antonio" last="Gates Jr"]. We all know who his dad is, but Antonio is destined for greatness as well. He’s a big time playmaker for Dearborn Fordson who can make plays from all over the field. At 6-1, 185, he provides the height and athleticism that could dominate at the next level, wherever he ends up. https://twitter.com/AntoniogatesJr1/status/1325788059175161856?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="30137" first="Nolan" last="Ziegler"] The Notre Dame commit has proved he is a dominate athlete on the field for Grand Rapids Catholic Central. At 6’4, 210 pounds, Ziegler can come down and make a play on the ball carrier or break up a pass in the secondary. He’s a gifted player with tons of potential to keep growing as a safety. https://twitter.com/nolanziegler24/status/1381382550497689603?s=20