2026 Big Men to Know From Around the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm back in Michigan, looking at some of the state's top big men in the 2026 class. These young men all received playing time as freshmen at the varsity level in 2022. A lot of them are still developing, but have flashed potential for the next level. Their growth as a player over the next three seasons will be crucial for their recruitment. With that being said, here are some of the top freshmen big men in the state of Michigan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you have any prospects you'd like for me to watch, please @ them to me on Twitter at @hsfbscout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: </em></strong><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212356' first='Ben' last='Nichols'], 6'5" 315, Davison</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has the size and a powerful base to go with it.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hands are locked inside on the breastplate with great knee drive behind him.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A dominant down blocker against inside twists and stunts.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Projects as a guard at the next level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: </em></strong><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212357' first='Benjamin' last='Eziuka'], 6'3" 280, Detroit Catholic Central</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Can turn the steering wheel almost effortlessly.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Smooth operating blocks at the second level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows good flexibility out of a three-point.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL:</em></strong> <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='557747' first='Khalief' last='Canty']. Jr., 6'5" 305, Cass Tech</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>His size can be overwhelming for smaller defensive linemen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Punch is compact yet extremely forceful.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Quite nimble as a pass protector for a big man. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>OL: Deshaun Wheeler, 6'2" 260, King</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Feet never stop driving as a run blocker.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Works in sync with his linemate to create vertical displacement on double teams.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Not easily fooled as a pass protector.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='284011' first='Gregory' last='Patrick'], 6'3" 230, Portage Northern</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Was named first-team all-conference as just a fourteen-year-old.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Plays with an edge to him for four quarters.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Long arms create plenty of separation between him and opposing rushers.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: [player_tooltip player_id='402056' first='Evan' last='Gooden'], 6'1" 245, Cass Tech</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Undersized, but plays with great overall effort. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A fighter that blocks through the whistle. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pulls with authority looking to put defenders into the turf.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='563421' first='Braedyn' last='Evans'], 6'2" 220, Riverview</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Shows good bend and the ability to slip double teams on the inside.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Raw with plenty of potential based on his play strength and on-field toughness.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A high motor prospect that played on the inside, but will most likely kick outside to a five-technique at the next level.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='212359' first='Isaiah' last='Harris'], 6'2" 195, Saline</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has a great first step and can dip &amp; rip around the edge.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Creates knockback into the backfield in 1 on 1 man blocks against tight ends.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Has great closing speed once the ball gets into his vision.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Stays square when unblocked at the first level and will scrape down the line after the football is handed off.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->