*** How can we not start with Donovan Edwards? The 2021 Rivals100 running back was spectacular in West Bloomfield (Mich.) High’s dominant playoff win over Sterling Heights (Mich.) Stevenson. Edwards was unstoppable in the first half, scoring six total touchdowns. That’s right… six... in the first half. Edwards did it all on Saturday and showed improve strength, speed and explosiveness from my last in-game eval, which was in the playoffs last year. Edwards powered through defenders, looked elusive when running out of the Wildcat and even caught a fade ball for a touchdown. I thought Edwards was ranked a little too high going into the year, but he changed my mind. In a weak year at running back, I think he’s elite. He was better in-game than five-star running back Camar Wheaton, who I saw last year.
*** I’ve always compared Edwards to Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones. And I still love the comp even others don’t. The Packers’ offense really runs through Jones this year. He’s a true three down back that always picks up big chunks of yards, wears down a defense and has enough explosion and speed to break off a long way. He also makes plays as a pass catcher. Edwards has a similar build and checks all those boxes as well. Jones doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He’s a Top 5 fantasy back this year, and the comp is definitely one I hold in high regard for Edwards. I love the work he put in this offseason and how it’s translated to the field. Michigan considers him THE must-land in this class, and I agree.
*** This game also gave me a chance to get my first in-game look at Rivals100 Michigan offensive line commit Giovanni El-Hadi for the first time since last season. I still have similar concerns. Not much has changed with El-Hadi. He did show aggression in the run game at times but wasn’t consistent in finishing blocks and didn’t really bury anyone. I love his build and his athletic profile. He can definitely be three years then NFL type of player under Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner, who I feel will get the most out of him. Cleaning up his feet, adding strength and helping him develop a nasty demeanor will be key. His ceiling is so high and the faults are so fixable that it’s hard to knock him from a rankings perspective. On top of that, this game was tough to evaluate him. I mean, his team was down 56-6 at half.
*** I was really excited to see 2022 Rivals250 athlete Dillon Tatum in-game. While I saw West Bloomfield last year, I didn’t really focus on Tatum. He was basically an unknown and then blew up on the trail in the offseason. With that said, I really liked Tatum when I saw him camp and at practice this summer. While there was some running back talk, I think it’s pretty clear that his future is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s an explosive athlete with the versatility to play every spot in the secondary. I like his speed and length at corner, but I also value his physicality at safety. I keep referencing athleticism with Tatum because he’s such a good-looking kid. He just has to fully embrace being a defensive back and hone in on his skills there. I’m really excited about what he can become. He’s one of my favorite kids for next cycle.
*** West Bloomfield is also home to a trio of other underclassmen offers. Four-star 2022 athlete Michael Williams did not play due to injury. Rising 2023 offensive lineman Amir Herring was impressive in the trenches as he helped lead the way for a dominant day on the ground. Herring is a promising prospect upfront and will be a Top 3 prospect in the state in his class. Rising 2024 athlete Brandon Davis-Swain recently picked up an offer. Davis-Swain still looks more like a project, but he’s so young that he’s still growing into his body. He has great size at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and best projects as a defensive end.
*** I’m not sure why my schedule worked out the way it did — some of it has to do with PSL weekend flexibility — but I’ve seen elite 2023 Detroit (Mich.) King quarterback Dante Moore a lot this season. This was actually my fourth time catching him in action. And I feel like this was easily his best performance. I hate making these types of comparisons, but Moore shares a lot of traits with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes. He can make any throw on the field and is so advanced from a mechanical standpoint. He also knows how much touch to put on a ball and when to rifle it in. Moore also shows nice escapability in the pocket and throws some dimes when rolling out to either side.
*** This is the first in-game eval I’ve made where Moore has actually been allowed to run the ball. I always said Moore had the athletic profile to do it, and I wasn’t wrong. On King’s first possession, Moore called his own number and took off for a 50-yard touchdown scamper. He also had a pair of first down runs. Moore isn’t overly explosive as a runner, but he can make things happen when needed just like the aforementioned Mahomes. His preference is definitely to sit in the pocket and dissect a defense, but he should use his athleticism a little more. Overall, he’s the complete package. I’m all in on his as a five-star level prospect in 2023.
*** I still don’t know exactly where I would rank 2022 Rivals250 Eastpointe (Mich.) High athlete Tay’Shawn Trent. He’s a guy that has the physical traits and versatility to play multiple positions. I can see why he’s a Top 250 prospect. He’s a big kid that moves well for his size, and the ceiling is super high. On the other hand, the floor is really low. Right now, I have him ranked right next to Tyrell Henry in my in-state rankings and would probably prefer Henry since he’s safer. This was a tough game to judge Trent, though. Eastpointe was blown out, and Trent suffered from poor quarterback play. He did show a flash on a big fourth down jump ball and also had his moments at linebacker. I still have more questions than answers.
*** I’ve always compared Edwards to Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones. And I still love the comp even others don’t. The Packers’ offense really runs through Jones this year. He’s a true three down back that always picks up big chunks of yards, wears down a defense and has enough explosion and speed to break off a long way. He also makes plays as a pass catcher. Edwards has a similar build and checks all those boxes as well. Jones doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He’s a Top 5 fantasy back this year, and the comp is definitely one I hold in high regard for Edwards. I love the work he put in this offseason and how it’s translated to the field. Michigan considers him THE must-land in this class, and I agree.
*** This game also gave me a chance to get my first in-game look at Rivals100 Michigan offensive line commit Giovanni El-Hadi for the first time since last season. I still have similar concerns. Not much has changed with El-Hadi. He did show aggression in the run game at times but wasn’t consistent in finishing blocks and didn’t really bury anyone. I love his build and his athletic profile. He can definitely be three years then NFL type of player under Michigan offensive line coach Ed Warinner, who I feel will get the most out of him. Cleaning up his feet, adding strength and helping him develop a nasty demeanor will be key. His ceiling is so high and the faults are so fixable that it’s hard to knock him from a rankings perspective. On top of that, this game was tough to evaluate him. I mean, his team was down 56-6 at half.
*** I was really excited to see 2022 Rivals250 athlete Dillon Tatum in-game. While I saw West Bloomfield last year, I didn’t really focus on Tatum. He was basically an unknown and then blew up on the trail in the offseason. With that said, I really liked Tatum when I saw him camp and at practice this summer. While there was some running back talk, I think it’s pretty clear that his future is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s an explosive athlete with the versatility to play every spot in the secondary. I like his speed and length at corner, but I also value his physicality at safety. I keep referencing athleticism with Tatum because he’s such a good-looking kid. He just has to fully embrace being a defensive back and hone in on his skills there. I’m really excited about what he can become. He’s one of my favorite kids for next cycle.
*** West Bloomfield is also home to a trio of other underclassmen offers. Four-star 2022 athlete Michael Williams did not play due to injury. Rising 2023 offensive lineman Amir Herring was impressive in the trenches as he helped lead the way for a dominant day on the ground. Herring is a promising prospect upfront and will be a Top 3 prospect in the state in his class. Rising 2024 athlete Brandon Davis-Swain recently picked up an offer. Davis-Swain still looks more like a project, but he’s so young that he’s still growing into his body. He has great size at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and best projects as a defensive end.
*** I’m not sure why my schedule worked out the way it did — some of it has to do with PSL weekend flexibility — but I’ve seen elite 2023 Detroit (Mich.) King quarterback Dante Moore a lot this season. This was actually my fourth time catching him in action. And I feel like this was easily his best performance. I hate making these types of comparisons, but Moore shares a lot of traits with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes. He can make any throw on the field and is so advanced from a mechanical standpoint. He also knows how much touch to put on a ball and when to rifle it in. Moore also shows nice escapability in the pocket and throws some dimes when rolling out to either side.
*** This is the first in-game eval I’ve made where Moore has actually been allowed to run the ball. I always said Moore had the athletic profile to do it, and I wasn’t wrong. On King’s first possession, Moore called his own number and took off for a 50-yard touchdown scamper. He also had a pair of first down runs. Moore isn’t overly explosive as a runner, but he can make things happen when needed just like the aforementioned Mahomes. His preference is definitely to sit in the pocket and dissect a defense, but he should use his athleticism a little more. Overall, he’s the complete package. I’m all in on his as a five-star level prospect in 2023.
*** I still don’t know exactly where I would rank 2022 Rivals250 Eastpointe (Mich.) High athlete Tay’Shawn Trent. He’s a guy that has the physical traits and versatility to play multiple positions. I can see why he’s a Top 250 prospect. He’s a big kid that moves well for his size, and the ceiling is super high. On the other hand, the floor is really low. Right now, I have him ranked right next to Tyrell Henry in my in-state rankings and would probably prefer Henry since he’s safer. This was a tough game to judge Trent, though. Eastpointe was blown out, and Trent suffered from poor quarterback play. He did show a flash on a big fourth down jump ball and also had his moments at linebacker. I still have more questions than answers.
