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1/20/07-Football

Tom Markowski's Blue Chip List

By Tom Markowski / The Detroit News

1. Joseph Barksdale
Detroit Cass Tech, 6-6, 310
College: LSU

A two-way lineman, Barksdale started three seasons and almost is certain to play defensive end or tackle. Last season, he had 60 tackles (17 for loss), 14 hurries, seven sacks, one INT (return for TD) and forced three fumbles. "The most important thing is he works hard," coach Tom Wilcher said. "He's grown up. He's mature. He's got a motor inside that won't quit." Barksdale is committed to the weight room and academics. He graduated last month with a 3.5 grade-point average.

2. Ronald Johnson
Muskegon, 6-0, 185
College: Undecided

Johnson is a three-year starter who played a variety of positions. He has made official visits to Michigan, Ohio State and Southern California, and is visiting Florida this weekend and Michigan State next week. Johnson runs the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds and is a game-changer returning kicks. Last season, he returned seven kickoffs for 180 yards and 11 punts for 218 yards. "The thing that goes unnoticed is his blocking. He's a great perimeter blocker," coach Tony Annese said. "And he's great tackler. He has great pursuit to the ball and he's very physical."

3. Chris Colasanti
Birmingham Brother Rice, 6-2, 233
College: Penn State

A four-year starter, Colasanti will play linebacker for coach Joe Paterno. Last season, he Colasanti had 53 unassisted tackles (70 assists, 12 for loss), 661/27 sacks and two fumble recoveries. "He's got that thing you can't coach," coach Al Fracassa said. "You can't teach a kid to go after people like he does. He loves to hit. He's going to do very well in college. One thing is for sure, he'll never give up on anything or anybody."

4. Dionte Allen
Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 6-0, 175
College: Florida State

To quell rumors, Allen remains committed to Florida State, despite making an official visit to Ohio State two weeks ago. He is a four-year starter at defensive back. He had 12 INTs in his career, two last season as teams threw away from his side of the field. Allen also had 56 tackles and was the school's team's only two-year captain. "He's always been the guy we rely on," coach George Porritt said.

5. Keith Nichol
Lowell, 6-2, 200
College: Oklahoma

Nichol, a three-year starter at quarterback, committed to Michigan State before his junior season but uncommitted after John L. Smith's departure. "Keith is the best quarterback in the state," coach Noel Dean said. "Keith did not play in the fourth quarter of eight games because of the score differential." Still, Nichol passed for 2,225 yards (118-for-185), 31 TDs and had six INTs. He also rushed 121 times for 1,075 yards and 19 TDs. In his career, he accounted for 130 TDs (56 rushing, 74 passing).

6. Ryan Van Bergen
Whitehall, 6-5, 260
College: Michigan

Van Bergen started three seasons at defensive end and tight end. "His best attribute is his athletic ability," coach Andy Malbouef said. "He runs well and has really good quickness." Michigan coaches anticipate him playing defensive end, but won't rule out time at tight end. Last season, Van Bergen had 33 unassisted tackles (43 assists, 11 for loss) and 361/27 sacks. He also had 19 catches for 258 yards.

7. Darris Sawtelle
Birmingham Brother Rice, 6-6, 305
College: Tennessee

A two-year starter at offensive tackle, Sawtelle combines size, speed, agility and toughness. "He's not a big, fat kid," coach Al Fracassa said. "He's a big, lean kid. He's a great blocker with a good technique. He has a great chance of doing well in college." Sawtelle has some big shoes to fill at Tennessee - his uncle, Darris McCord, a former Detroit Lions offensive lineman, played there.

8. Taurian Washington
Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 6-1, 185
College: Ohio State

Washington started three seasons at receiver, but an eye injury injured eye limited him as a senior. He played up to his potential the last half of the season - 26 receptions for 416 yards. "He was someone you would (have) liked to have had healthy all season," coach George Porritt said. "He's a strong kid. He started overpowering cornerbacks. Taurian is more of a tall, outside receiver. He has good speed (4.45 in the 40) and he'll need to get stronger to play at Ohio State. They want their receivers to block. That's the only way he'll play."

9. Steve Threet
Adrian, 6-6, 235
College: Georgia Tech

Threet was a three-year starter at quarterback. Last season, he passed for 1,896 yards (140-for-238), 20 TDs and 10 INTs. His best game came in a 34-27 victory over Saline - 294 yards (17-for-23), three TDs and no INTs. "He possesses a great work ethic and is a natural leader by example," coach Phil Jacobs said. "He pays great attention to detail and knows every player's assignment on every play. Steven has outstanding size and unbelievable arm strength and throws the deep out as well as anyone at the collegiate level."

10. Martell Webb
Pontiac Northern, 6-4, 215
College: Michigan

Webb is a three-year starter at receiver and on defense, where he split time between defensive end and outside linebacker. At Michigan, he likely will play offense. "He's a big target," coach Keith Stephens said. "He has good hands and good speed. Once basketball is over, he'll be able to put more time in, in preparing for football. We haven't seen the best of him yet by a long shot." Last season, Webb had 830 yards and 12 TDs.

11. Derek Knight
Detroit Renaissance, 6-0, 180
College: West Virginia

Knight started three seasons on defense, mostly at safety. He switched from linebacker to safety last season and he became a more versatile player. Knight had 102 tackles, four sacks, 14 deflections and three INTs. "Derek is one of the most coachable kids we've had here," coach Antonio Watts said. "Meaning, you teach him a technique and he goes out on the field and executes. He wants to be a difference maker. Personally, he has a lot to prove to schools like Michigan who didn't recruit him. He wants to make his mark."

12. Ryan Wheat
Flint Carman-Ainsworth, 6-5, 300
College: Michigan State

Wheat started three seasons at offensive tackle and played defensive end last season. His quickness on the outside enabled him to record 1361/27 sacks. "He moves so well," coach Jerry Parker said. "And he's such a good athlete for his size. He's a dominant pass rusher and was our rock on the offensive line." Last season, Wheat had 38 unassisted tackles (18 assists), 13 hurries and forced two fumbles.

13. Vince Helmuth
Saline, 6-0, 237
College: Michigan

Helmuth started three seasons at running back, one on defense (linebacker/defensive line). Helmuth, who likely will play offense, is strong (bench presses 390 pounds) and fast (4.72). Last season, he had 1,536 yards and 21 TDs. His longest run was 57 yards. He also had seven receptions for 98 yards. "It's the intangibles that will make him succeed," coach Mike Glennie said. "It's his work ethic. He deals with adversity with a smile on his face. He's at his best when things get tough."

14. Mark Dell
Farmington Hills Harrison, 6-1, 175
College: Michigan State

Dell, who played three years at receiver and defensive back, likely will play receiver. "His athletic ability will make him a good college player," coach John Herrington said. "He has good speed, he runs great patterns and he's great at going up for the ball. It's his leaping ability that college coaches like. He needs to bulk up. He plays basketball and when that's over he'll be able to build up." Last season, Dell had 57 receptions for 1,214 yards and 18 TDs. He also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD.

15. Justin Siller
Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 6-4, 210
College: Purdue

Siller started four seasons at quarterback, the first two at Detroit De Porres. He likes to run the draw and seems to be the right fit for Purdue's spread offense. "He'll have to get into the Purdue offense and learn the reads," coach George Porritt said. "He can provide some athleticism. They haven't had a kid with his kind of mobility there. His escapability makes it hard to defend. His release got quicker this season. He has such long arms. He'll have to make good decisions; that part of his game got better, too." Last season, Siller had 1,095 yards (76-for-159). He also rushed for 455 yards.

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