- Michigan
MIDWEST RECRUITING: Handful of Detroit-area prospects show out at The Opening’s Midwest regional recruiting event
Nike’s The Opening college-football prospect camp is in full swing for 2019 and once again recruits from The D were shining bright.The Detroit area was well represented and making its presence felt in a major way.
Oak Park junior Maliq Carr (wide receiver), Detroit Cass Tech sophomore Kalen King (cornerback), Harper Woods sophomore Davion Weatherspoon (offensive lineman) and Belleville sophomores Damon Payne (defensive lineman) and Jamari Buddin (linebacker) were all named position MVPs at The Opening’s Midwest regional round in Massillon, Ohio last weekend. They earn invites to head to the elite showcase camp’s “finals” at the Nike compound in Oregon this summer.
Carr (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) is one of the most dazzling offensive talents in the Mitten’s Class of 2020. He’s a freak of nature in the frontcourt on the hardwood, too. But the gridiron is where Carr’s future is. And what a fantastic future it’s shaping up to be. The dynamic three-star pass catcher might very well be on the verge of four-star status and has narrowed his college choices down to an impressive Top 5 of Michigan, Notre Dame, LSU, Texas A&M and Purdue — with Georgia coming in with an offer on Friday. He’ll visit Texas A&M next week. Last fall, he had nearly 1,000 yards receiving and hauled in 10 touchdown grabs.
King (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) just nabbed offers from Penn State, West Virginia and Kentucky on the heels of his MVP outing at The Opening. Michigan and Indiana offered over winter break.
Payne (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) is the No. 1 recruit in the state’s sophomore class, a complete specimen of a pass rusher. He already has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State, USC, Mississippi State, Mississippi State, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan and Michigan State and Penn State.
Weatherspoon (6-foot-0, 265 pounds) has offers from Michigan and Kentucky, with the UK bid coming to his doorstep after his performance at The Opening. The rangy, versatile Buddin (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) is ready to erupt like a volcano in recruiting circles.
