2023 Rankings December Update: Analysis and Notes
The rankings update for the class of 2023 is now LIVE. This is such a deep class that will continue to grow with names through next season. These juniors had incredible 2021 seasons, with some being lucky enough to win…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe rankings update for the class of 2023 is now LIVE. This is such a deep class that will continue to grow with names through next season. These juniors had incredible 2021 seasons, with some being lucky enough to win a state championship at the end. Here are some of the big storyline’s from December’s update:
To view the 2023 rankings, click here
Top Three
Cass Tech ATH Jalen Thompson Jalen Thompson 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Cass Tech | 2023 State MI , Detroit King QB Dante Moore Dante Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Detroit King | 2023 State MI , and Detroit King OL Amir Herring Amir Herring 6'3" | 255 lbs | OL West Bloomfield | 2023 State MI round out the top 3. It’s so hard to rank these players, as they are all dominant at what they do. Moore had one of the best seasons that we’ve seen a player in Michigan high school football have, and he is deservedly blowing up in the recruiting world. Thompson remains #1, as he was one of the best players in the state all season as a Junior. Herring has done nothing but impress me with his nastiness and technique. He’s the top ranked offensive lineman and it’s well deserved.
Anderson making noise
Cass Tech athlete Khamari Anderson Khamari Anderson 6'4" | 225 lbs | ATH Cass Tech | 2023 State MI had a phenomenal season for the Technicians, so much so that it has earned him a few offers in season. Anderson can play stand up or out of a stance on the defensive line, and has a huge catch radius as a tight end. His hand usage and finish ability on defense stands out on nearly every play. A big frame with a ton of burst out of his stance, Anderson’s ceiling is HIGH.
Junior Szn🎥https://t.co/nipXhcWTrg pic.twitter.com/CQtgLRZJ0E
— Khamari Anderson (@espn_mar05) November 4, 2021
Roseville’s next elite recruit
Roseville DB Amare Snowden Amare Snowden 6'4" | 190 lbs | DB Roseville | 2023 State MI jumps from 10 to 7 and is awarded the number one defensive back spot currently. He is as dynamic a defensive back as their is in the state, as he uses his strength and athleticism to lock down receivers. His instincts are a key part of his game as well, he is just always in a good spot to make a play on the football. A great teammate and competitor with traits that scouts drool over, Snowden checks all the boxes.
Keep an eye out for 2023 CB Amare Snowden of Roseville HS in Michigan. He's long at 6'3, 180, shows great ball skills, can run & can easily unlock his hips. I think he's a Division 1 type talent.
— Jake Lemming (@HSFBscout) February 5, 2021
📽️https://t.co/mNb3heDsdr@Amare_Snowden | @CoachSnowden
Names to Know
One player that continues to impress both in person and on film is De La Salle DL Mason Muragin Mason Muragin 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2023 State MI . He has a perfect edge rusher frame with room to add weight. Great use of the hands in pass rush. Shows a ton of short field burst in his pursuit of the quarterback. Relentless motor that never quits until the whistle. In the run game, Muragin can stack and shed and find the ball carrier, with solid technique on tackles. His processing skills while in play are some of the best in his class. Recently picked up an offer from Saginaw Valley State University and should continue to get looks.
De La Salle 2023 DE Mason Muragin (#88) and his DL teammates caused havoc all night.
— The D Zone (@TheD_Zone) October 24, 2021
Muragin who is 6'4 235 had no issues making plays in the backfield in 3 quarters of action.@MMuragin @DLSFootball_MI pic.twitter.com/Szws3PeF6K
Another name to look for is Detroit King DB Jameel Croft Jameel Croft 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Detroit King | 2023 State MI . He has impressive ball hawk skills and his recovery skills when he gets beat are superb. Has some solid speed and vision when the ball is in his hands. Could play corner, receiver, or safety at the next level, which should help in recruiting. He has the ability to recognize a route and jump on it, which shows he watches films and has football smarts. Croft’s hip fluidity when in coverage is clean and he has great foot speed.
Of the top quarterbacks, Walled Lake Western QB Drew Viotto Drew Viotto 6'4" | 220 lbs | QB Walled Lake Western | 2023 State MI continues to be an impressive study. Decisive both in structure and out of it. Field vision while on the move is one of his biggest strengths. Accuracy is strong in all three phases. Viotto has a great ability to stay balanced and square in the pocket and ready to make a throw. He has excellent touch on his deep balls and puts his receivers in positive positions on the field. Toughness and composure in the pocket stand out when under duress. Expect a big jump from junior to senior year.
💥FINAL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS! 💥
— Drew Viotto (@ViottoDrew) November 7, 2021
🔹2000+ yards
🔹22 TDS
🔹68% completion
🔹All-Conference & All-Region QB
@WLWestern_FB @coachcioroch @QuarterbackUniv @AllenTrieu @SWiltfong247 @QBHitList @Rivals_Clint https://t.co/omwThk7drN pic.twitter.com/vHiJerb7gC
Other additions
A hybrid of a quarterback and a wideout, Rockford ATH Mac VandenHout Mac VandenHout 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Rockford | 2023 State MI shows he can contribute no matter what. He has some nice athleticism and route running skills, which shows on the field, as he hauled in 36 catches for 364 receiving yards. Additionally, Vandenhout racked up 149 rushing yards on 19 attempts. He went from unranked to #33.
Two big risers at the quarterback position, De La Salle QB Brady Drogosh Brady Drogosh 6'5" | 205 lbs | QB De La Salle | 2023 State MI , who went from unranked to the #18 player overall, and Rouge QB Christian Johnson Christian Johnson 6'0" | 210 lbs | QB River Rouge | 2023 State MI who bumped from unranked to #21. Both quarterbacks had phenomenal 2021 seasons and should continue to get looks for the next level.
Detroit King LB Cole Olsztyn went from unranked to #17, which shows his dominance on the field in 2021. He should be a key part of Detroit King’s repeat efforts next season.