WHO EARNED 1ST TEAM ALL-ELITE HONORS IN MICHIGAN?

The 2026 high school football season in Michigan is about to kick off, and the future of the game in the Great Lakes State is already looking exceptionally bright. NXTGEN Recruits has released its highly anticipated Pre-Season All-Elite 1st Team selections for both Large Schools and Small Schools, spotlighting the elite Class of 2027 & 2028 talent that will drive contenders, fill highlight reels, and shape Friday night storylines all fall.

These young men represent the absolute best of Michigan high school football. Every name below has earned 1st-Team recognition through production, athleticism, leadership, and upside. Here’s a position-by-position look at the selections and why the 2026 season is poised to be special.

Quarterback

Large Schools: Wynn Diegel (H.H. Dow) steps into the spotlight as the premier signal-caller in the big-school ranks. The Dow Senior possesses the arm talent, pocket presence, and competitive fire to elevate an already talented Chargers offense. Expect Diegel to put up big numbers and lead Midland Dow deep into the postseason.

Small Schools: Joel Cranmore (Leslie) is the clear-cut choice under center for the smaller programs. A dual-threat threat QB with excellent decision-making, Cranmore will continue to torch defenses and put Leslie in position to make serious noise in 2026.

Both quarterbacks are built for the moment. Their ability to make plays should produce some of the most exciting offensive explosions of the year.

Running Back

Large Schools: Bryce Kish (Howell) is a pure workhorse. Powerful, decisive, and elusive, Kish will once again shoulder a heavy load for the Howell and punish defenses between the tackles while still threatening the edge.

Small Schools: Ethan King (Belding) brings a similar brand of physical, between-the-tackles dominance. King has the vision and burst to turn modest holes into chunk gains and will be the focal point of Belding’s attack.

Michigan’s backfields are in excellent hands. Kish and King are the kind of runners who can single-handedly control the tempo of a game.

Wide Receiver

Large Schools: A loaded group headlined by Dakota Guerrant (Harper Woods), Chad Willis (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), and Charles “Tre” Britton III (Belleville). Guerrant’s explosiveness after the catch, Willis’s size and contested-catch ability, and Britton’s precise route-running give opposing secondaries nightmares. Expect big plays and highlight-reel moments from this trio all season.

Small Schools: Parker Kingsbury (Nouvel Catholic Central), Braydin Johnson (Leslie), and Greg Pope III (Henry Ford) form an equally dangerous unit. Kingsbury’s deep-threat speed, Johnson’s reliability, and Pope’s playmaking ability will stretch the field and create mismatches week after week.

The 2026 receiver classes on both sides of the enrollment spectrum are flat-out special. Defensive backs better bring their A-game.

Tight End

Large Schools: Holden Niemi (Dexter) is a true mismatch nightmare. Athletic enough to threaten the seam and physical enough to dominate as a blocker, Niemi will be a favorite target and a tone-setter for the Dreadnaughts.

Small Schools:Tucker Wiginton (Springport) brings the same two-way excellence. His combination of size, hands, and toughness makes him a reliable safety valve and a force in the run game.

Both tight ends give their offenses a versatile weapon that can tilt matchups in the red zone and on early downs.

Offensive Line

Large Schools: The big-school trenches are stacked with Dewey Young (Kalamazoo Central), William Tobin (Hartland), Jack Carlson (Brighton), Drew Aagesen (Goodrich), and Louis Esposito IV (Saline). This group combines size, athleticism, and mean streaks. They will open lanes and protect quarterbacks at an elite level.

Small Schools: Micah Halstead (Tri County), Koen Hinzman (Hudson), Garrett Russell (Traverse City St. Francis), Christopher Tetloff (Bullock Creek), and Daniel Collins (Redford Union) form a rugged, physical unit. These linemen will control the line of scrimmage and give their skill players room to operate.

Offensive lines win championships, and both of these groups play for championship-caliber programs.

Defensive Line

Large Schools: Daryl Pruitt Jr. (Detroit MLK), Recarder Kitchen (Muskegon), Treighjan Gibson (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), and Asher Newman (Haslett) are disruptive forces. They will collapse pockets, stop the run, and create negative plays all season long.

Small Schools: Cash Cooper (Jackson Lumen Christi), Kaleb Miller (Birch Run), Max Barz (Gladwin), and Jett Esterline (Jackson Lumen Christi) bring relentless pressure and physicality. Expect consistent disruption from this group.

The defensive fronts on both lists are built to make life miserable for opposing offenses.

Linebacker

Large Schools: Brandon Adams Jr. (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s), Bryce Barbarino (Saline), Collin Sumpter (Cass Tech), and Roland Berry III (River Rouge) form a fast, physical, and instinctive corps. They cover ground, fill gaps, and deliver hits.

Small Schools: Ruger Zeeman (Corunna), Josiah Cox-Guyton (Godwin Heights), Nyzere Briscoe (Bradford Academy), and Dominic Stein (Glen Lake) are equally impressive. Sideline-to-sideline range and tackling ability define this group.

These linebackers will be the heartbeat of their defenses in 2026.

Defensive Back

Large Schools: Gideon Gash (Detroit Catholic Central), Darryl Flemister (Detroit MLK), and Don Spillers III (Detroit MLK) give large-school secondaries lockdown ability and ball skills. Expect interceptions and pass breakups in bunches.

Small Schools: Kam Reynolds (Swan Valley), Logan Holzinger (Meridian Early College), and Thomas Puksta (Grand Rapids West Catholic) bring similar coverage excellence and physicality in run support.

Michigan’s secondary talent is elite across the board. Quarterbacks will have to be precise.

Kicker / Punter

Cohen Chatfield (Jenison) earns the nod at Kicker. Chatfield’s leg strength, accuracy, and consistency make him one of the most valuable specialists in the state. He will win games with field goals on multiple occasions I'm sure this Fall.

These NXTGEN All-Elite 1st Team selections are not just talented — they are the difference-makers who will lead their programs deep into November and beyond. From packed stadiums in Detroit and the suburbs to the passionate Friday night atmospheres across small-town Michigan, these Class of 2027 standouts are ready to write the next chapter of Michigan high school football.

Keep an eye on every name above. The best is yet to come. #NXTGENELITE