A 53-man ‘NFL roster’ of current Michigan high school football players

Constructing an NFL team of Michigan high school football players — from a 53-man active roster list to a 16-man practice squad

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This article is what a final 53-man roster of Michigan’s best would look like if constructed for an 'NFL team.' For this article, I will construct a final 53-man roster for Michigan's best high school football players. Additionally, I will include a 16-man practice squad for players as well. 

Some players have been chosen for their versatility and ability to play multiple positions.

Please understand that this is intended to be fun. 

However, if you feel a player should have made this roster, feel free to comment on who you would add. But keep in mind, adding a player means you'd have to drop one to make room!

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Quarterback (3) — Dante Moore, Sr., Martin Luther King

Brady Drogosh, Sr., De La Salle Collegiate

CJ Carr, Jr., Saline

Dante Moore would be the starting quarterback. The captain of this high-flying offense would need to be someone who can dominate defenses when push comes to shove. Moore has thrown more than 20 touchdowns this season, and we’ll need that leadership when constructing team Michigan. Behind Moore is Brady Drogosh, who possesses all the leadership qualities to carry a team, should the game come to it. Drogosh is clutch and durable game in and game out. The Cincinnati commit would be the perfect backup to Moore. CJ Carr, our third string, would be the developmental quarterback suited for learning under the dynamic duo of Moore and Drogosh.

Dante Moore of Detroit King. Photo by Mariusz Nowak

Running back (4) Cole Cabana, Sr., Dexter

Darius Taylor, Sr., Walled Lake Western

Nolan Ray, Sr., Brother Rice

Ethan Clark, Sr., Clarkston

Leading the ground-and-pound assault is Dexter standout and Michigan commit Cole Cabana, who offers flexibility, being a receiver, running back, kick returner and punt returner. Cabana’s hands are as good as any receiver, and his speed and agility make him a handful for any defense. Alongside Cabana is Darius Taylor, a Minnesota commit with great speed, reliability and durability. This duo would match perfectly for our on-the-ground assault.

Behind the two running back standouts is Nolan Ray. The Brother Rice running back and Maryland commit produced more than 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns in his junior campaign. Pairing Ray with a three-star recruit, and Princeton commit, Ethan Clark, would help the team in depth and downhill-running talent. Clark offers strength and size to this loaded backfield.

Ethan Clark (34) of Clarkston. Photo by Katy Kildee

Wide Receiver (6) - Nick Marsh, Jr., River Rouge

Semaj Morgan, Sr., West Bloomfield

Evan Boyd, Sr., East Lansing

Ryan Mooney, Sr., St. Mary's

Jaylen Watson, Jr., River Rouge

Jamari Thomas, Sr., Huron

Nick Marsh and Semaj Morgan will require double-teams on every play. Anything less will result in a touchdown. Backing our talented duo is Central Michigan commit Evan Boyd, followed by a dynamic trio in Mooney, Watson and Thomas. This wealth of talent is far too complete to be stopped by any defense.

Ryan Mooney (0) of St. Mary's. Photo by Ryan Schira

Tight End (4) - Khamari Anderson, Sr., Cass Technical

Brady Prieskorn Jr., Adams

Brennan Parachek, Sr., Dexter

Luke Fletcher, Sr. Port Huron Northern

In terms of sheer size, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better trio than 6-foot-6 Prieskorn, 6-foot-4 Anderson and 6-foot-6 Paracheck. Led by Cincinnati commit Anderson, this formidable wall of blocking and impressive route running would add significant depth to an already exceptional passing attack. Not to mention the reliable hands of Parachek, the Michigan State commit has yet to reach fewer than 30 catches in a season. This combination of dependable hands and sturdy blocking attack will be the callous pieces needed to keep the team as consistent as possible.

Brady Prieskorn (22) of Rochester Adams. Photo by Mario Nowak

Offensive linemen (9) - Amir Herring, Sr., West Bloomfield

Cole Dellinger., Sr., Clarkston

Dylan Senda, Sr., Divine Child

Johnathan Slack, Sr., Martin Luther King

Matthew Nehf, Sr., Dewitt

Andrew Dennis, Jr., Mt. Pleasant

Luke Zanotti, Sr., Bay City Central

John Burke, Sr., Sault Area

Delano Townsend, Sr., Hamady Community

The perfect blend of downhill blocking and stout pass protecting. Led by the University of Michigan commit Amir Herring and flanked by Michigan State commit Cole Dellinger and Northwestern commit Dylan Senda. Behind this line, any of our running backs will have the chance to have 1,000 yards or more on the season.

Cole Dellinger (72) of Clarkston. Photo by Katy Kildee

Defensive linemen (8) Jalen Thompson, Sr., Cass Technical

Kenneth Merrieweather, Sr., Martin Luther King

Eryx Daugherty, Sr., Brother Rice

Brandon Davis-Swain, Jr., West Bloomfield

Messiah Blair, Sr., Martin Luther King

Mason Muragin, Sr., De La Salle Collegiate

Luke Fletcher, Sr., Port Huron Northern

Nathan VanTimmeren, Sr., Catholic Central

A deep defensive line gives the team the ability to rotate guys to keep a fresh defensive line on the field at all times. Jalen Thompson, a Michigan State commit, will be in opposing backfields in no time.

Linebackers (7) - Jeremiah Beasley, Jr., Belleville

Brayden Courser, Sr., Catholic Central

Jeremiah Alston, Sr., Redford Union

Cole Olsztyn, Sr., St. Mary's

Kari Jackson, Jr., West Bloomfield

Montele Johnson, Jr., West Bloomfield

Razah Townsend, Sr. East Kentwood

Speed and power, that is what our linebacking core will rely on. Not to mention the assistance from our plethora of defensive backs to assist. With Courser and Beasley causing havoc to opposing quarterbacks, turnovers will happen often and three & outs would be expected.

Brayden Courser (37) of Detroit Catholic Central. Photo by Katy Kildee

Defensive Backs (10) - Amare Snowden, Sr., Roseville

Jaylin Townsend, Sr., Beecher

Darius Whiteside, Sr., Troy

Jawon Jarrett, Jr., Southfield

Jameel Croft, Sr., Martin Luther King

Jamil Thomas, Sr., Huron

Jacob Oden, Jr., Harper Woods

Mychal Yharbrough Sr., Belleville

Gabriel Winowich, Jr., Detroit Country Day

Jamir Benjamin, Jr., West Bloomfield

These backs are the most ball-hawking family of defensive backs you could collect in any class. Running a nickel defense was an easy decision because of the plethora of talent at this position. These backs have speed in spades. I am confident in the trio of Snowden, Oden, and our rotating third of Benjamin and Winowich at cornerback. I believe this is the ultimate set of defensive backs.

Jawon Jarrett of Southfield A&T. Photo by Katy Kildee

Punter/Kicker (1) - Max Taylor, Sr., Saint Joseph.

It’s better to list his credentials: 2021 Michigan Media All Conference Selection, SMAC Kicker (unanimous selection) by Michigan Sports Radio.

Longsnapper (1) - Nico Davis, Sr., Brighton High School

Another Michigan standout. I’m confident that he will deliver a perfect snap every time. Davis is the final piece to Team Michigan’s completion.

Projected Starters

Quarterback

Dante Moore, Sr., Martin Luther King

Running Back

Cole Cabana, Sr., Dexter

Wide Receiver

Nick Marsh, Jr., River Rouge

Semaj Morgan, Sr., West Bloomfield

Tight End

Khamari Anderson, Sr. Cass Technical

Brennan Parachek, Sr., Dexter

Offensive Line

Amir Herring, Sr., West Bloomfield

Cole Dellinger., Sr., Clarkston

Dylan Senda, Sr., Divine Child

Johnathan Slack, Sr., Martin Luther King

Matthew Nehf, Sr., Dewitt

DEFENSE

Defensive Line

Kenneth Merrieweather, Sr., Martin Luther King

Jalen Thompson, Sr., Cass Technical

Messiah Blair, Sr., Martin Luther King

Eryx Daugherty, Sr., Brother Rice

Linebacker

Jeremiah Beasley, Jr., Belleville

Brayden Courser, Sr., Catholic Central

Cornerback

Amare Snowden, Sr., Roseville

Jacob Oden, Jr., Harper Woods

Jamir Benjamin, Jr., West Bloomfield

Strong Safety

Jameel Croft, Sr., Martin Luther King

Free Safety

Jamil Thomas, Sr., Huron

Punter

Max Taylor, Sr., St. Joseph

Kicker

Max Taylor, Sr., St. Joseph

Longsnapper

Nico Davis, Sr., Brighton High School

Practice Squad

QB - Bryce Underwood, SR., Belleville

QB - Isaiah Marshall, Jr., Southfield A&T

RB/LB - Da'Vier Burt, Jr., Southfield A&T

RB/LB - Kenneth Jones, SR., West Bloomfield

WR/DB - Tashi Braceful, JR., Southfield A&T

WR/DB - Roman Laurio, SR., Saline

WR/DB - Jalen Todd, JR., Southfield A&T

WR/DB - Desman Stephens, JR., Clarkston

OL/DL - Jamire Hall, SR., Redford Union

OL/DL - Jake Macphee, SR., Bad Axe

OL/DL - Charlie Pietrosante, SR., Brother Rice

OL/DL - John Burke, SR., Sault Area

TE/OL/DL - Henry Garrity, SR., Brother Rice

TE/OL/DL - Bruce Williams, SR., Huron

TE/OL/DL - Jack Storey, SR., Brighton

K - Adam Samaha, SR., Huron