Showcase Preview: Midwest Linemen

ThinkDetroitPAL's Michigan Showcase will feature a Big Man Clinic that will have several big time linemen coming into for it.

We will have a great chance to see some of the Midwest's best on Sunday at the Michigan Showcase, presented by the Lifting As We Climb Foundation.

Over the last few year's the organization's Sound Mind Sound Body summer camp has become one of the top events in the country, following the success of the Detroit's PAL Youth Football League. This Showcase, held at the University of Michigan's Al Glick Fieldhouse, is shaping up to be more of the same.

On the offensive line, we will have several players who hold offers already. Anthony Zettel (Ogemaw Heights, MI) holds five, including Michigan, Michiagn State and Cincinnati and was the MVP of the BadgerSport Elite Linemen Challenge at Rutgers. Fellow Michigander, Jalen Schlachter (Corunna) holds offers from Central Michigan, MSU and Wisconsin, although a basketball injury may limit him on Sunday.

There will be some out of state players who come in with scholarships under their belt as well. Chicago Simeon's massive Chris Bryant has three currently and Ohio products Tommy Brown (Akron Firestone), Chris Boles (Toledo Catholic Central) and Jack Miller (Toledo St. Johns) all have FBS offers. Cleveland Kennedy's massive Chris Carter was a recent recipient of an Ohio State offer.

In addition to those players, there are a number of seniors to be who candidates to receive offers in the future. Walled Lake Central (Mich.) duo Bryan Bell and Mike Strehl both have Big Ten programs recruiting them as does Southfield-Lathrup's (Mich.) 6'5, 330-lb Willie Beavers. Lansing Waverly's Ramadan Ahmeti is athletic and has D1 interest.

There will be some big time underclassmen there as well. Chicago Simeon's Jordan Diamond is already 6'7, 275-lbs and started on varsity for the Wolverines last year. Saginaw's 6'5, 300-lb sophomore Demetrius Whitson and Miamisburg (OH) product Zach Meyers are two other youngsters with big time potential.

Going up against them on the defensive line will be a few big timers in their own right. Holland Springfield (OH) tackle Kevin Williams has a handful of offers, including Michigan and Michigan State. Muskegon (Mich.) defensive end Damon Knox and Chicago Urban Prep tackle Mason Fuller are two kids we think can play at a high level as well. One sleeper we are excited to see is Thea Bowman (Ind.) tackle Sonny Haskins who had 10 sacks last season, a high number for a nose tackle.

A couple of young defensive ends who will be in attendance are poised to become national level recruits. Elijah Daniel (Avon, Ind.) is the younger brother of Georiga end Montez Robinson and we've been told that Daniel is actually the "beast of the family." He had 10 sacks last season as a freshman on varsity. Another one with bloodlines is Evan Winston (Muskegon Heights, Mich.), the younger brother of Central Michigan's Steve Winston. Evan, only a sophomore, has already received a scholarship offer from Toledo. Detroit Renaissance tackle Jabari Dean is being hailed as the next top prospect from that school.