Michigan high school football: Meet the top sophomores

These 30 standouts are among the best in the state

From defensive back to offensive line, sophomores have made an impact across the field in Michigan high school football this season.

With the regular season coming to an end, we compiled 30 of the top standouts this season.

Read through the list below and vote for who you think is the top sophomore this season in our poll to be posted on Thursday.

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Vote: Who is the top sophomore in Michigan high school football?

Michigan high school football computer rankings entering the playoffs (10/23/2023)

Top sophomores in Michigan high school football

CJ Sadler, QB/WR/CB, Cass Technical

Sadler is one of the nation’s top prospects in the class of 2026. With just one full season under his belt, the sophomore is ranked by 247Sports as a 5-star and a top-20 player across the country. 

Sadler remains the only player in the state ranked by 247sports.com and has a slew of offers including Alabama, Michigan, Colorado, Florida, Ohio State among others. 

Gregory Patrick, OL, Portage Northern

Patrick has made marks early in his career combining, “great length, footwork, flexibility, and strength with an advanced knowledge of offensive line play,” coach Kurt Twichell said. 

A 2022 first-team all-conference player and Division 2 all-region member as a freshman, Patrick has scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Oklahoma and others. 

“He has been a dominant left tackle,” Twichell said. 

Brett Kroll, OL/DL, Oakridge

Kroll is a 6-foot-4, 265-pound two-way lineman who has been especially consistent for coach Cary Harger at offensive tackle. 

“He has a lot of tools to help build him into a very good offensive lineman over the next two years,” Harger said. “He has good feet and can move well for his size.” Kroll is a key piece on an Oakridge roster carrying a mere nine seniors this season. 

Ethan Drozdowski, RB/DE, Warren Mott

A 6-foot-2, 190-pound tailback and defensive end, Drozdowski has “big upside and could be a Division I prospect,” according to coach Tom Milanov. 

In his first year on varsity, he surged through September, flashing his potential while immediately starting at defensive end and sharing touches at running back with two seniors. 

Marcello Vitti, RB/OLB/S, Divine Child

Vitti was an all-league and all-state player last season. A 4-star, according to Rivals, he’s received 18 Division I offers from the likes of Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Kentucky and others. 

He started two-ways last season as a freshman, helping lead Divine Child to the regional title game. 

“Marcello is the definition of a no-doubter,” coach Chris Laney said of the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder with 4.5 second 40-yard dash speed. 

Daquan Carpenter, OL/DL, Comstock Park

Carpenter has broken out along an offensive line paving the way for three skill players averaging over 7.5 yards per carry, and a team running for 220-plus yards per game. 

“[He’s] big, physical, and has the frame and traits to grow into a really special lineman the likes of Comstock Park hasn't seen,” coach Doug Samuels said. 

Chris Kendrick, QB, Denby

Kendrick has thrown for 22 touchdowns with just two interceptions, and run for nine more scores. Coach Zachery Carr believes the signal caller is the best in his class state-wide.

“His ability to lead and be an awesome teammate [stands out],” Carr said. “Guys want to play with him. He is a great kid.”

Jake Morrow, QB, Grand Blanc

Morrow has passed for 913 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions while adding 416 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. 

Head coach Kaleb Forr called him a “dynamic young player with a Johnny Manzel type of athleticism. The tape doesn’t lie. [He] makes plays in and out of the pocket and moves well. Humble young man that puts his team ahead of himself.”

Matthew Nguyen, RB, Our Lady of the Lakes

Nguyen stepped into the starting running back role this season and has immediately become his offense’s workhorse. 

“He has great field vision and has proven he is as tough as nails,” coach Chris Snarey said. The back has accumulated 549 yards and five scores on 115 carries, despite missing a majority of the Week 3 game due to injury. 

Evan Smith, OG/DT, Our Lady of the Lakes

Smith, a member of the 2022 all-league team, has seven pancakes, 11 tackles and a sack so far this season. He uses a powerlifting background to physically overwhelm his opponents, despite his youth. 

“He is a leader of the offensive line and continues to show other linemen how to get the job done,” Snarey said. “The team looks to him whenever we need an extra few yards to clear a path. He’s going to continue to grow and become an elite linemen.”

Jacob Timmer, OT, Grand Rapids West Catholic

Timmer has allowed zero sacks this season and is the leader of the offensive front for the highest scoring offense in the division. 

“Jacob Timmer is the most surefire Power Five recruit that I have coached,” said Landon Grove. “He is athletic, and intelligent.” 

The 6-foot-7, 275-pound lineman will also start for the school’s basketball team at center come winter. 

Charlie Alt, RB/DB, Sparta

Alt has 75 all-purpose touches for 565 yards and a touchdown this season playing out of the backfield primarily. He has also started games at defensive back while returning kicks for coach Mark Chapman this season. Chapman said Alt has a “big future ahead.” 

Jeremiah Benson, OL/DL, West Bloomfield

Benson, in just his second season, has started every game this season at left tackle. He’s picked up a Division I offer from Charlotte and will likely haul several more in soon due to his Division I size at 6-foot-4, 250 pounds.

Coach Zach Hilbers called him “extremely athletic and coordinated with a mean streak.”

Travis Robertson, OT, West Bloomfield

Like Benson, Robertson has started each game this season at the opposing offensive tackle spot. He’s even bigger at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, but moves well for his size, according to Hilbers.

“He is still a raw player, but has gotten better every week,” Hilbers said. “Tremendous upside.”

Christian Lopez, OG/LB, Nouvel Catholic Central

Lopez plays both offensive guard and middle linebacker. He leads the team with 65 tackles and does not come off the field for coach Andrew Weigl. A physical player, Lopez started a few games as a freshman and was an all-state powerlifter.

“[He] will be an all conference player this year,” Weigl said. 

Brick Sandridge IV, QB, Cousino

Sandridge is completing 61 percent of his passes and has thrown for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns in a college-style offense.

“Our offense includes on-to-two reads/checks per play,” coach Brandon Gennette said. “This included a game where Brick called an entire series of plays with no call from the sideline, all no huddle, and on him. The drive went six minutes, until the drive could be kneeled to run the clock out.”

Kameran Hayward, WR/DB, Cousino

Hayward is in his second year of starting at the varsity level and is a two-way starter as well as a return man. This season, he’s recorded 10 carries for 108 yards and has hauled in 23 catches for 222 yards and three scores. Defensively, he’s added four interceptions, 10 pass deflections and a fumble recovery.

“His stats speak for themselves,” Gennette said. “He's productive in many different ways. He is someone who we have to get the ball in his hands.”

Daniel Carter, RB, Cousino

Also a second-year varsity starter, Carter is Cousino’s big-play machine. Despite missing a pair of games and splitting carries, he’s accumulated 89 carries for 487 yards and five scores in five games. Through the air, he’s added seven catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns. He has touchdown runs of 80, 75 and 62 yards as well as a 57-yard touchdown reception.

“Anytime we need a big play, he finds it,” Gennette said. 

Griffin Boman, RB/LB, Clarkston

Boman played on varsity as a freshman last year, contributing to a team that went 10-3 in Division I and won the district and regional championships. This season, he’s inherited the starting running back role and has taken his 84 carries for 428 yards and five scores. 

He’s also added four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in six games. Through five games, defensively, he’s collected 36 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. 

Lukas Boman, RB/HB/S, Clarkston

The other Boman brother is also a second-year varsity player who, like Griffin, contributed last season. He starts at the h-back position on offense, while roaming as a safety on the other side of the ball. He’s carried the ball 20 times for 118 yards and two scores. He also has two catches for 25 yards. Defensively, he’s added 23 tackles.

“He has played well at running back when given the chance,” coach Justin Pintar said, “but has been the guy responsible for more of the dirty work as a blocker on offense.”

Daniel Vigo, K/P, Plymouth

Vigo is a perfect 28-for-28 on extra points this season and has hit his one field goal (a 29-yarder). He has a 48-yard average on kickoffs with two touchbacks. As a punter, he’s averaging 35 yards per boot with a long of 42, and has pinned one inside the 20. 

Traverse Moore, RB/WR/DB, DeWitt

Moore started both ways as a freshman. Now, the 6-foot, 185-pound “do it all” player has taken it up another notch. Coach Rob Zimmerman called him a “future all-stater and Division I player.”

Moore, who runs a 4.5 second 40-yard dash, has an offer from Toledo.

Will Solomon, DT, DeWitt

Amidst what’s a talented 2026 class for DeWitt, Solomon stands out with his massive size at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds. 

He’s only been playing football for two years, but Zimmerman has a feeling he’s going to be “unbelievable.” 

Solomon has multiple family members that were in the NFL and is cousins with Los Angeles Rams’ receiver Puka Nacua. Zimmerman said the defensive tackle is just starting to grow into his body and will potentially be a “major Division I prospect.” 

Damion King, WR/DB, De La Salle Collegiate

King started the final six games for coach Dan Rohn during his freshman year and has continued to flash in Year 2. Despite his youth, the sophomore has already collected numerous Division I offers including Illinois.

“He has all the skills to be the most dominating player on the field and it all comes so natural,” Rohn said. 

Benny Ezuika, OG, Detroit Catholic Central

While early in his career, Ezuika has all the makings of both a standout high school guard, as well as a Division I player. He’s 6-foot-5, weighs 305 pounds, and coach Cessante lauded him as “extremely athletic,” adding that he has great balance and is “violent” with his hands. 

He holds offers from Central Michigan, Miami (OH) and Eastern Michigan. 

Jordan Davenport, WR/DB, Clawson

Coach Steve Haney is convinced that the young defensive back/receiver Davenport has a bright future. Davenport turned in 29 tackles, an interception and a pair of fumble recoveries as a freshman. He earned a role as a starting cornerback this season. 

“He's grown significantly and has gotten a lot faster and stronger,” Haney said. “He's a tough kid and competitive player who likes to hit.”

Calvin Washington, OG/NG, Detroit Martin Luther King

Coach Tyrone Spencer’s program is chalk-full of talent and there’s a bright future between the 2026 and 2027 classes. Washington is a hulking, 6-foot-4, 315 offensive guard and nose guard who already holds an offer from Toledo and looks to tack on several more this season. 

Kory Amachree, RB, Haslett

Amachree has offers from 10 Division 1 schools, including Louisville, Arizona State and Central Michigan. Amachree has helped Haslett to a 6-2 record this season. 

Jayden Terry, RB, Grandville

Terry is one of the more exciting players in Michigan high school football. At 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Terry has offers from Toledo, Miami (OH) and Central Michigan. Terry finished the regular season with 1,571 rushing yards, 146 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns.

Ben Nichols, OL/DL, Davison

Nichols is 6-foot-5, 315 pounds at 15 years old. According to 247sports, Nichols has offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Michigan State.

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