Early National Signing Day 2022 updates: Where Michigan's top 2023 football prospects are expected to sign

Dante Moore, Cole Cabana and many others will sign with a school on Wednesday

Antonio Cooper | Dec 21, 2022

Michigan is one of the most talented states in the country, and it produces some of the most talented players in college football.

For the top athletes in Michigan high school football, their 2022 season has ended, which means many of the best players are moving on to college football.

For this article, we’ll take a look at the top 40 prospects in the state, as well as where they are heading to college for signing day.

Rankings according to 247sports.com.

1. Dante Moore - 5-star quarterback, Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) — UCLA

There has not been a moment in Dante Moore's high school career where he was not one of the most talented quarterbacks in Michigan. Moore earned a five-star rating and committed to playing at UCLA after a long commitment to Oregon.

Moore possesses uncanny arm talent and the poise of a veteran. Sports Illustrated offered the perfect analysis of Moore:

“Moore is a special player that has all the desired tools for an elite quarterback, which includes an incredibly high football IQ, proven production, character and he's a winner.”

According to 247Sports, in the class of 2023, Moore is the 11th-ranked prospect and the top overall prospect in Michigan.

2. Cole Cabana -- 4-star running back, Dexter High School (Dexter, MI) -- University of Michigan

Cabana, who earned a four-star rating, could be considered the best running back in Dexter history after setting nearly every record in the school’s program.

This year, Cabana led the Dreadnaughts to the best season in school history, and he was voted MLive’s 2022 player of the year.

In 2022, Cabana Rushed for over 1,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. As a receiver, he scored four touchdowns, and on special teams he tallied an additional three touchdowns. Cabana is a multiple-threat player that is deadly on every down.

3. Jalen Thompson -- 4-star defensive lineman, Cass Technical High School (Detroit, MI) -- Michigan State University

This year, Jalen Thompson, a 2023 four-star defensive lineman, announced his commitment to the Spartans.

Thompson was a defensive maestro during the 2022 season earning 12 sacks, 40 solo tackles and 15 for a loss.

His stout performance this year halted most running attacks, and he provided enough versatility to lead his team to a division-best 9-4 record.

Thompson’s commitment to Michigan State provides surefire-defensive prowess to the Spartans' roster.

4. Amir Herring -- 4-star offensive lineman, West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, MI) -- University of Michigan

A four-year high school starter, the four-star lineman committed to the Wolverines while leading West Bloomfield to an impressive 8-2 record.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, the offensive lineman remained the proverbial brick wall this year, constantly displaying elite-level IQ, quick footwork and rarely being out of position or beaten by his opposition.

According to 247 Sports, Herring is the fourth-best prospect in Michigan and the 13th-best offensive lineman in the country.

5. Brady Drogosh -- 4-star quarterback, De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, MI) -- University of Cincinnati

Brady Drogosh is the highest-rated recruit in Cincinnati's 2023 recruiting class, committing to the Bearcats while leading De La Salle to an impressive 13-1 record.

Now standing 6-foot-5, 205 pounds, Drogosh became one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in Michigan.

During his career, Drogosh passed for more than 3,000 yards.

6. Brennan Parachek -- 4-star tight end, Dexter High School (Dexter, MI) -- Michigan State University

The 6-foot-6 tight end standout led his team to a 12-1 record. Parachek is the highest-rated tight end in Michigan and will join the Spartans for their 2023 season.

7. Cole Dellinger -- 4-star offensive lineman, Clarkston High School (Clarkston, MI) -- Michigan State University

Dellinger was a force throughout his high-school career. This year, Dellinger led Clarkston to a 10-3 record, one of its best seasons in the past five years.

Dellinger (72) celebrates with his teammates. Photo by Mariusz Nowak

8. Darius Taylor -- 4-star running back, Walled Lake Western (Walled Lake, MI) -- University of Minnesota

Taylor led the Walled Lake Western Warriors this season. He’s currently ranked the 29th-ranked running back in the nation.

9. Amare Snowden -- 4-star defensive back, Roseville (Roseville, MI) -- Wisconsin

Snowden chose Wisconsin on Wednesday over Cincinnati, West Virginia, Akron and Colorado, among others.

10. Khamari Anderson -- 3-star tight end, Cass Technical (Detroit, MI) - University of Kentucky

Anderson is a 6-foot-4 prospect and is ranked the 24th-best tight end in the nation. Anderson's commitment to Kentucky will help their offensive attack for the 2023 season.

11. Semaj Morgan -- 3-star wide receiver, West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, MI) -- University of Michigan

Morgan, an impressive multi-sport athlete, will bring his array of talents to the Wolverines this 2023 season. Morgan adds more firepower to this impressive Wolverine roster.

12. Dylan Senda -- 3-star offensive line, Divine Child (Dearborn, MI) - Northwestern University

Senda is the 38th-ranked offensive lineman in the nation. The Divine Child standout led his team to a 9-3 record this year.

13. Johnathan Slack -- 3-star offensive lineman, Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) - Uncommitted

Slack decommitted from Michigan State on December 11.

14. Kenneth Merrieweather -- 3-star defensive lineman, Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) -- Iowa

King possessed an impressive roster from top-to-bottom on the defensive end, and Merrieweather led the charge, standing out as a dominant force. He will showcase this talent for the Hawkeyes this 2023 season.

15. Jameel Croft - 3-star defensive back, Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) -- University of Kansas

Croft, a 6-foot-1 standout, was a star on the defensive side of the ball for King.

16. Eryx Daugherty -- 3-star defensive line, Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, MI) -- Boston College

Daughetry stood out among a Brother Rice team that suffered a few setbacks this year. In 2022, Daughetry recorded 43 tackles, five for loss and five sacks. For this 2023 recruiting class, Daughetry will lead the 2023 defensive class of Boston College.

17. Aaron Bradley -- 3-star offensive line, Southfield High School (Southfield, MI) -- Uncommitted

Bradly is ranked the 86th-best offensive lineman in the nation and has offers from Akron, Ball State and Jackson State, among others.

18. Messiah Blair -- 3-star defensive line, Martin Luther King (Detroit, MI) -- Eastern Michigan University

Standing at a towering 6-foot-7, the imposing defensive player will take his talents to the EMU Eagles. Blair helped the King Crusaders finish as Division 3 state champions.

19. Ryan Mooney -- 3-star wide receiver, St. Mary's (Orchard Lake, MI) --- Uncommitted

The physically impressive 6-foot-4 Mooney remains undecided while receiving offers from several schools, including Iowa, Boston College and Brown.

20. Drew Viotto -- 3-star quarterback, Walled Lake Western (Walled Lake, MI) -- University of Minnesota

Ranked the 56th-best quarterback in the nation, Viotto will join his Walled Lake Western Warrior brethren Darius Taylor in the impressive 2023 Minnesota recruiting class.

21. Nolan Ray -- 3-star running back, Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, MI) -- Maryland

Ray is ranked the 77th-best running back in the nation. The Brother Rice star helped his team reach the MHSAA playoffs this year.

22. Mason Muragin -- 3-star defensive line, De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, MI) -- University of Illinois

This season Muragin led the De La Salle defense with a single-season school record of 31.0 tackles for loss.

23. Laith Shamma -- 3-star defensive lineman, Huron (Ann Arbor, MI) - University of Toledo

The impressive 6-foot-6 defensive lineman led the Huron River Rats to the playoffs.

24 - Jeremiah Warren -- 3-star defensive lineman, Belleville High School (Belleville, MI) - Illinois

Warren is one of the few seniors of the reigning Division 1 champions Belleville. Warren announced his commitment to Illinois on Monday.

25. Mychal Yharbrough -- 3-star defensive back, Belleville High School (Belleville, MI) -- Miami (OH)

Yharbrough is an ultra-athletic duel threat that can play both sides of the ball. His contributions helped Belleville capture this year's championship, catching a touchdown in the 2022 Division 1 State Finals.

26. Lorenzo Williams Jr. -- 3-star cornerback, West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, MI) -- Western Michigan University

Williams Jr. is a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball and track. He helped West Bloomfield earn an 8-2 record this year.

27. Matthew Nehf -- 3-star offensive lineman, Dewitt High School (Dewitt, MI) -- Central Michigan University

Standing 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, Nehf helped propel his team to a 10-4 record to reach this year’s playoffs.

28. Luke Zanotti -- 3-star offensive lineman, Bay City Central (Bay City, MI) -- Western Michigan University

Zanotti is the 136th-best lineman in the nation, helping the Bay City Warriors end on a 5-4 record.

29. Jeremiah Alston -- 3-star Athlete, Redford Union (Redford, MI) -- Central Michigan University

Alston is a multi-positional athlete, playing both defensive back and wide receiver throughout his high-school career.

30. Bruce Williams -- 3-star defensive lineman, Huron (Ann Arbor, MI) - Uncommitted

While Williams is undecided, he has received several offers, including Ball State, Central Michigan University and Bowling Green. We will wait to see which school he selects.

31. Rasean Randall -- 3-star athlete, Cass Technical (Detroit, MI) -- Northern Illinois

Randall played both defensive and tight-end during his tenure at Cass Tech. Now committed to Northern Illinois, we’ll see how much his athletic prowess will assist the Northern Illinois Huskies.

32. Evan Boyd -- 3-star wide receiver, East Lansing (East Lansing, MI) -- Central Michigan University

At East Lansing, Boyd produced over 1,000 yards as the school’s primary target.

33. Adam Samaha -- 3-star kicker, Huron High School (Ann Arbor, MI) -- University of Michigan

Samaha is the 6th-best kicker in the nation. His commitment to Michigan will help the Wolverines thrive in special teams and late-game situations.

34. Luke Fletcher -- 3-star Defensive Line, Port Huron Northern High School (Port Huron, MI) -- Eastern Michigan University

Fletcher was an impressive pass rusher at Port Huron, helping the team earn a 7-2 record in the 2022 season.

35. Nathan VanTimmeren -- 3-star tight end, Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids, MI) -- Central Michigan University

The Catholic Central product is a two-sport athlete playing football and basketball. VanTimmeren is the 88th-best tight end in the nation.

36. Rory Callahan -- 3-star tight end, Huron High School (New Boston, MI) -- Central Michigan University

Callahan will join an impressive tight end core for Central Michigan. During his high school career, Callahan helped Huron earn a 6-foot-4 record.

37. Razah Townsend -- 3-star Defensive Line, East Kentwood (Grand Rapids, MI) -- Western Michigan University

Townsend is a physically strong defensive presence who will join an impressive 2023 Western recruiting class.

38. Delano Townsend -- 3-star offensive lineman, Hamady Community (Flint, MI) -- Western Michigan University

The nearly 300-pound offensive lineman helped earn his team a 10-2 record this season. He could create an immediate impact on the Western Broncos.

39. Mekhi Jenkins -- 3-star running back, Royal Oak High School (Royal Oak, MI) -- Central Michigan University

Throughout his high-school career, Jenkins nearly rushed for 800 yards, averaging more than 70 yards per game.

40. Jamari Allen -- 2-star athlete, De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, MI) -- Central Michigan University

Allen played both defensive back and wide receiver at De La Salle. The 6-foot-1 athlete joins a star-studded Central Michigan recruit class in 2023.

Published Dec 21, 2022

ANTONIO COOPER