Vote: Who is the top pass catcher in Michigan high school football?
Michigan high school football Power 25: Belleville remains team to beat in 2023
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Let’s take a closer look at some of the top returning pass catchers in high school football for the 2023 season in Michigan.
Plenty of worthy names are on this list, so be sure to read through the nominees and vote in our poll for who you think will be the top returning running backs for the upcoming season.
Voting will close on August 25 at 11:59 p.m.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player who may not be mentioned in our poll.
If you are a coach and you'd like to add a nominee before the poll closes, please email butler@scorebooklive.com.
Brady Prieskorn, senior, Adams
Prieskorn is the state’s second best 2024 recruit, according to 247Sports, and the nation’s No. 12 tight end. The 4-star tight end/defensive end is a Michigan commit.
At 6-foot-6, 240-pounds, the all-state tight end recorded 10 touchdowns last season for Adams. He added 24 receptions for 648 yards.
Photo by Mario Nowak
Mariusz Nowak, SBLive Sports
Dylan Mesman, senior, Saline
Mesman is the state’s No. 2 tight end, behind Preiskorn. Mesman has formed a high-octane connection with Hornets quarterback CJ Carr, the state’s top quarterback in 2024.
Mesman is a 3-star Louisville commit. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound, tight end also plays basketball and its the state’s No. 11 2024 football recruit.
Braylon Isom, senior, Saginaw Heritage
Isom, a 3-star, dominated the state’s Division 2 classification at wideout. A two-time first team all-league honoree, he had a season for the ages last year, leading MHSAA in both receiving yards and touchdowns in 2022.
The scariest part? He’s back for another season after landing on the all-state first team last season.
Nick Marsh, junior, River Rouge
Marsh is the No. 4 recruit in the state’s 2024 class, and its top wideout. A 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, he was named to the Division 3 all-state first team offense, and he was one of just three juniors to make the team.
Marsh has a 4-star standing, and as the nation’s No. 27 ranked 2024 wideout, he committed to Michigan State in July. Marsh also runs track and plays basketball for River Rouge.
Da’Kari Neely, senior, Kearsley
Neely was a bright spot for the Hornets in 2022. The team’s top option in the passing game, he joined Marsh on the Division III first team all-state offense.
Neely has also played cornerback during his career. In 2023, the rising-senior will help look to turn around a Hornets program that fell to 3-6 last season.
Tashi Braceful, senior, Southfield A&T
Braceful is one of several talented Southfield players to receive significant recruiting interest in the class of 2024. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound, wideout is a 3-star and the state’s No. 13 player in 2024.
Braceful is also ranked within the nation’s top-100 receivers. He is a Toledo commit.
Photo by Katy Kildee
Drew Hickmott, senior, Brandon
Hickmott was the lone junior to be named to the Division IIII all-state first team offense in 2022. He was the top weapon for a 6-4 Blackhawks team that scored 40-plus points on four occasions last season.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pounder is also a standout cornerback and received a preferred walk-on offer from Michigan.
Kamren Flowers, junior, West Bloomfield
Flowers is the state’s No. 6 player in the 2025 class and its top receiver. In addition, he’s in the top 50 nation-wide at the wideout position. Flowers has already collected offers from schools such as Arizona State, Miami, Penn State and Michigan State.
Flowers is one of the top players on a Lakers team chalk full of talent. Flowers also runs track and, as a sophomore, ran several sub-11-second 100-meter times.
He Also ran a 21.72 in the 200. and anchored the state’s D-I regional champion 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams.
Elijah Dotson, junior, University of Detroit Jesuit
Dotson, a wideout and defensive back, stands at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, and is the state’s No. 7 player in 2025 and a top-50 athlete in the nation. Dotson holds offers from Power Five programs such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Tennessee, Louisville, Notre Dame and Penn State.
Korbin Herrera, senior, Erie Mason
Herrera, Erie Mason’s top returner at wideout, led the team last year with 37 receptions for 745 yards and nine scores. His top performance came against Summerfield to the tune of eight catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns.
A first team all-conference and region player, Herrera is “a tall and fast receiver with great hands and is a scoring threat from anywhere on the field,” coach Steven Bowers said. “He has committed to the weight room this off-season and put on some muscle, while improving his speed.” He also starts at corner while acting as his team’s punter and kicker.
Echie Kemutambah, senior, Thurston
Kemutambah played tight end and defensive end for Thurston last season.
At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, he’s a “natural pass catcher” according to coach Nick Davis, while also possessing outstanding ability as a blocker. “He is our silent leader,” Davis said, “always doing the right thing and leading by example.”
Kemutambah has a scholarship offer from Siena Heights.
Matt Elderkin, senior, Calvin Christian
Elderkin was named to the Division IIIII all-state first team offense. The wideout was one of just two juniors named to the team. Elderkin was a bright spot amidst the Squires’ 4-5 season in 2022. Elderkin is also a standout on the school’s basketball team.
Damion King, sophomore, De La Salle Collegiate
King started the final six games for coach Dan Rohn during his freshman year. Despite his youth, the rising-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.
Photo by Mario Nowak
Phoenix Glassnor, junior, De La Salle Collegiate
Glassnor bolstered a high-powered offense from the slot position, playing on varsity throughout his sophomore year last season. He’s a dominant two-sport athlete — one of the state’s best, according to Rohn.
He has a collection of Division ! basketball offers and has utilized that athleticism and leaping ability to his advantage on the offensive side for De La Salle.
Samson Gash, sophomore, Detroit Catholic Central
The son of a former NFL player, Gash has made a quick impression on coach Justin Cessante and others.
According to Cessante, Gash “will be a force at outside receiver” due to his extreme speed and quickness, and “great” hands and route running.
Kaleb Parrish, senior, Mason
Parrish is a do-it-all star for Mason. Last season he broke the school record for touchdown receptions, operating at both wideout and tight end at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds (while running a 4.54 40-yard dash).
He was also Named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Lansing State Journal in 2022 after a standout year at outside linebacker.
“Kaleb is relentless on the field and gives us the big play possibility on both sides of the ball on every play,” coach Gary Houghton said.
Derek Badgley, senior, Mason
Badgley was an honorable mention all-state player last season and named to the all-area team by the Lansing State Journal. Operating at both wideout, as well as running back and linebacker, Badgley is Mason’s Swiss Army Knife.
“He can play anywhere extremely effectively and just makes big plays,” Houghton said.
Rocco Breslin, senior, Flat Rock
Breslin has become a playmaker on the defensive side at linebacker, but those same skills translate well to offense.
An all-leaguer, Breslin put up 384 yards and four touchdowns from the tight end position last season and should have a big year in store after starting the previous three.
Alex Gillum, senior, Flat Rock
Gillum, previously a two-year starter, missed all of last season with injury. His return could help open up coach Brandon Reaume’s offense. At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Gillum will act as a “deep threat option” in the offense this season, and could pair excellently with the tight end Breslin.
Jadyn Walker, senior, Portage Northern
A first team all-conference and region receiver, Walker averaged over 25 yards per catch, tallying nearly 800 total yards in his junior year.
According to coach Kurt Twichell, he gained 25 pounds this offseason in preparation to play linebacker, after playing safety on defense last season. His two-way prowess has led him to receive offers from Arizona State, Toledo and Eastern Michigan.
He is currently committed to Toledo, but has received heavy interest from Power Five teams, including Michigan State.
“He is a tireless worker — the definition of a classic hidden gem in recruiting,” Twichell said, “and we have no doubt that he will be one of the top players in the state this fall on both sides of the football.”
Keegan McIntyre, senior, Portage Northern
McIntyre, a fellow senior receiver of Walker, was second team all-conference after hauling in 35 catches for over 600 yards. He also led Portage Northern in receiving touchdowns.
“Keegan is our fastest player and is extremely explosive,” Twichell said.
McIntyre has offers from Lawrence Tech and multiple Division 3 schools, but Twichell believes he will end up playing somewhere in the GLIAC. Grand Valley and Ferris State are keeping their eyes on him after he performed well at their camps, according to Twichell.
Camari Edwards, senior, Clawson
Edwards is a late-arriver to the gridiron, having only started playing for Clawson last season. He caught seven passes for 108 yards, while helping the team on the defensive side at outside linebacker.
Despite his late start, and run-of-the-mill receiving numbers, coach Steve Haney is expecting Edwards to be one of the Trojans’ leading offensive weapons come fall as he ascends to his senior year.
DeShaun Lanier, junior, Chippewa Valley
Lanier will be a second-year starter at both receiver and punt returner in 2023. Last season as a sophomore he totaled 24 catches for 440 and six touchdowns, while adding a return touchdown, too.
He was an all-region honorable mention and should be in store for a big junior season. Lanier already holds offers from big-time programs, including Penn State, Indiana, Pitt, Louisville and Ole Miss, among others.
Hunter Belanger, senior, Grosse Pointe South
Belander was a starting defensive end as a sophomore, but missed the entirety of his junior year due to injury. Now, he’s back, and according to coach Chad Hepner, ready to take on an offensive role, too.
Hepner said the 6-foot-2, 240-pound tight end has great athleticism for his size, noting his “soft hands” and abilities as a “devastating” blocker.
Ian Ruatto, senior, Lutheran North
Ruatto is a two-way specimen for coach Garrett Wenzelburger and the Lutheran North program. Operating at both middle linebacker and tight end, he was named all-league and all-county honorable mention.
“Ian is one of the best linebackers and tight ends in all of Macomb County,” Wenzelburger said of the 6-foot-2, 195 pound, 110-meter hurdles finalist.
On defense, Ruatto is a “sideline to sideline” backer and the leader of the unit. But his defensive prowess hasn’t stopped him from being an offensive force, too.
“He blocks as well as any offensive lineman and can run routes like a receiver,” Wenzelburger said.
Hudson Macdonald, junior, Lutheran North
Wenzelburger has been Lutheran North’s coach for six season’s now, and he may be ready to call Macdonald the “best athlete” he’s coached.
At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, he's an “incredible route runner” with a 4.5 second 40-yard dash. He was the team’s leading wideout as a sophomore and is set for a “breakout season” in 2023.
Wyatt Epple, senior, Watervliet
Epple, entering his fourth season on varsity, has been selected to all-conference and region teams and was an honorable mention all-state player.
He plays both sides of the ball at wide receiver and defensive back, doing so at a level which prompted coach Josh Tremblay to call him the team’s “all around best football player.”
Epple is a captain and leader who “excels” in three sports.
Chase Tremblay, senior, Watervliet
The strength of Watervliet’s team lies in its offensive weapons and defensive backfield.
Tremblay adds immense talent to both groups. An all-conference and all-region player, who is entering his fourth varsity season, Tremblay is a captain who has led the team in receptions the last two seasons.
Kaiden Bierhalter, senior, Watervliet
Bierhalter rounds out a dangerous group of receivers. He, too, was named all-conference, all-region and was an all-state honorable mention.
Coach Tremblay described him as a “big and tall athlete with great hands.”
Bierhalter has led the team in touchdowns over the past few seasons as well as “big plays.” That big play ability will be relied on this season, Tremblay said.
Quincey Twymon, junior, Madison Heights Lamphere
A transfer from Brother Rice, 2023 will be Twymon’s first season with the Rams. Twymon is a true two-way player who can be found at both receiver and safety.
Coach Raymond Ostrowski called him a “big-time playmaker” and expects a big year out of the newcomer as he’ll likely welcome in a slew of collegiate offers in the near future.
Xavier Bowman, senior, Southfield A&T
Bowman is one of Southfield's many weapons this season. He is a 3-star recruit with offers from Penn, Dartmouth, Eastern Michigan, Jackson State and Louisville, , according to 247sports.
Eric Slater, junior, Roseville
Slater is a 3-star prospect with offers from Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Indiana and Western Michigan, according to 247sports.
Adrian Walker Jr., junior, Belleville
Walker Jr. is a small but slippery receiver who is a great athlete after the catch. He's a 3-star wide receiver with an offer from Marshall, according to 247sports.com. Walker Jr. caught five passes for 47 yards and one touchdown in the Division 1 title game.
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