Grand Rapids Preseason Dream Team – Defense
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Well, well, well. Now’s the time for a ton of preseason previews! As you already know, this article will list my Preseason Grand Rapids Dream Team. This list highlights 11 Defenders who have already shown flashes of greatness, or just…
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Continue ReadingWell, well, well. Now’s the time for a ton of preseason previews! As you already know, this article will list my Preseason Grand Rapids Dream Team. This list highlights 11 Defenders who have already shown flashes of greatness, or just straight-up consistent excellence, and will near-undoubtedly have a fantastic season.
DB –
Ty Hudkins
Ty
Hudkins
6'0" | 190 lbs | DB
Forest Hills Central | 2024
State
MI
DB –
Matthew Gauck
Matthew
Gauck
5'6" | 125 lbs | DB
Jenison | 2023
MI
DB –
Jimmie Floyd
Jimmie
Floyd
5'8" | 150 lbs | DB
Caledonia | 2023
MI
DB –
Austin Harvey
Austin
Harvey
5'11" | 180 lbs | DB
Rockford | 2023
MI
DB –
KeWaun Farnum
KeWaun
Farnum
5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH
Mona Shores | 2023
State
MI
LB –
Rick Beison
Rick
Beison
6'1" | 215 lbs | LB
Rockford | 2023
MI
LB –
Robert Dedrick
Robert
Dedrick
5'10" | 210 lbs | LB
Grand Rapids Union | 2024
MI
LB –
Jack Cook
Jack
Cook
6'0" | 190 lbs | LB
Catholic Central | 2023
MI
DL –
Austin Fenech
Austin
Fenech
6'2" | 275 lbs | DL
Forest Hills Eastern | 2023
MI
DL –
Breckin Portoluri
Breckin
Portoluri
6'1" | 255 lbs | DL
Rockford | 2023
MI
DL –
Zachary Kelly
Zachary
Kelly
6'0" | 260 lbs | DL
Forest Hills Northern | 2024
State
MI
Analysis
DB –
Ty Hudkins
Ty
Hudkins
6'0" | 190 lbs | DB
Forest Hills Central | 2024
State
MI
– Forest Hills Central – Hudl
Everywhere Hudkins has gone, he’s balled out. With some of the best reaction time, footwork, and overall fundamentals I’ve seen, Ty is outstanding in coverage and is extremely deserving of being on this list. I’m interested to see how he performs against elite passing offenses- if FHC ends up playing them.
DB –
Matthew Gauck
Matthew
Gauck
5'6" | 125 lbs | DB
Jenison | 2023
MI
– Jenison – Hudl
Gauck’s film has pleasantly surprised me. With sound fundamentals and a bit of aggressiveness playing the ball, Gauck was a PBU machine last season and could keep up with anyone he was facing, sometimes on an island. He’ll be one of the leaders of the Jenison defense and will need to live up to my expectation if his team wants to go far.
DB –
Jimmie Floyd
Jimmie
Floyd
5'8" | 150 lbs | DB
Caledonia | 2023
MI
– Caledonia – Hudl
The more I study Caledonia, the more I love them.
Jimmie Floyd
Jimmie
Floyd
5'8" | 150 lbs | DB
Caledonia | 2023
MI
is a massive asset for the Scots and one of the best DBs in the West. He’s intelligent, able to play zone and man seamlessly, and he plays with confidence and aggressiveness when he knows his job. Having played great games against Mona Shores and Rockford, I’m confident
Jimmie Floyd
Jimmie
Floyd
5'8" | 150 lbs | DB
Caledonia | 2023
MI
will perform at an all-region level this season.
DB –
Austin Harvey
Austin
Harvey
5'11" | 180 lbs | DB
Rockford | 2023
MI
– Rockford – Hudl
Rockford always has good DBs, and Harvey is no different. The Agile Ram had 30 tackles and 7 PBUs last season, and most importantly, his tape shows massive confidence, fundamental prowess, and overall IQ. Rockford has quite the offseason program, and with some of the best coaching in the state, I expect Harvey to level up this season.
DB –
KeWaun Farnum
KeWaun
Farnum
5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH
Mona Shores | 2023
State
MI
– Mona Shores – Hudl
Farnum stands out with his athleticism. There is nobody on this list as athletic as Farnum, as he’s insanely twitchy, fast, and can make things happen all over the football field. Specifically, at DB, he’s trusted in man coverage and has performed well against outstanding teams like Detroit King, Muskegon, and others. He has true college talent, and I’ll be shocked If he doesn’t earn All-region at the very least.
LB –
Rick Beison
Rick
Beison
6'1" | 215 lbs | LB
Rockford | 2023
MI
– Rockford – Hudl
A hard-hitting linebacker who can shed blocks and react quickly,
Rick Beison
Rick
Beison
6'1" | 215 lbs | LB
Rockford | 2023
MI
is the blueprint MHSAA D1 Linebacker. Every snap shows immense effort, and as I said, he hits like a truck. I’m excited to see what Beison can accomplish this season, and I expect him to be one of the best linebackers in the state.
LB –
Robert Dedrick
Robert
Dedrick
5'10" | 210 lbs | LB
Grand Rapids Union | 2024
MI
– Grand Rapids Union – Hudl
Robby Dedrick is a crucial piece of this Union rebuild. Leading the charge, Dedrick had a great 2021 season and has only continued to get in shape and improve his game during the offseason. He’s a great kid, played well at Legacy, and isn’t afraid of a challenge. I expect to see a ton of improvement in Robby’s game.
LB –
Jack Cook
Jack
Cook
6'0" | 190 lbs | LB
Catholic Central | 2023
MI
– Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Hudl
Like
Joe Mullett
Joe
Mullett
WR
Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2023
MI
, I expect Nolan Ziegler’s departure to offer
Jack Cook
Jack
Cook
6'0" | 190 lbs | LB
Catholic Central | 2023
MI
a more prominent role. Already a great state-championship winning LB in 2021,
Jack Cook
Jack
Cook
6'0" | 190 lbs | LB
Catholic Central | 2023
MI
has good reaction and solid hitting, doing his job and doing it well. As long as Cook progresses as I’ve seen many athletes at GRCC progress, he can be an all-region talent.
DL –
Austin Fenech
Austin
Fenech
6'2" | 275 lbs | DL
Forest Hills Eastern | 2023
MI
– Forest Hills Eastern – Hudl
With high praise from many,
Austin Fenech
Austin
Fenech
6'2" | 275 lbs | DL
Forest Hills Eastern | 2023
MI
is a powerful lineman on both sides of the ball. His film displays near-elite power and good IQ. He’s a college talent who will impress many people this coming season.
DL –
Breckin Portoluri
Breckin
Portoluri
6'1" | 255 lbs | DL
Rockford | 2023
MI
– Rockford – Hudl
Standing at a fantastic 6’0 250,
Breckin Portoluri
Breckin
Portoluri
6'1" | 255 lbs | DL
Rockford | 2023
MI
reloads the Ram’s Defensive Line exceptionally well. He’s a Powerstrength guy who’s put in plenty of offseason work, and I expect him to put his new power to great use against some of the best programs in the state.
DL –
Zachary Kelly
Zachary
Kelly
6'0" | 260 lbs | DL
Forest Hills Northern | 2024
State
MI
– Forest Hills Northern – Hudl
On this dream team, Kelly is my run-stuffer, as his 4-point stance at the NG position and his 6’1 255lb body are extremely difficult to move. He showed many flashes last season, and I’ve always been high on
Zachary Kelly
Zachary
Kelly
6'0" | 260 lbs | DL
Forest Hills Northern | 2024
State
MI
‘s potential. I hope he puts it all together and turns it into an all-region year.