West Bloomfield’s defensive backfield loaded yet again in 2022
The defensive backfield for West Bloomfield’s 2022 football squad is once again shaping up to be one of the best in the state this fall.
The ’21 Lakers were defending state champions in D1 and captured OAA Red and district titles before bowing to eventual state finalist Rochester Adams, 1413, in the regionals.
Senior cornerback Lorenzo Williams committed to Western Michigan last week. Williams (6-foot-0, 175 pounds) had offers from Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Ohio, Ball State, Akton, Northern Illinois, Army and Navy.
“Great vision in one-onone match-ups off the snap, long and pesky … impressive recovery speed,” described Williams’ style of play in a recent Rivals.com
blog.
Junior Jamir Benjamin could be the top cover corner in Metro Detroit. The three-star recruit got a Michigan offer in the hours before the Memorial Day holiday weekend began. Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland
and Missouri all offered in the past month. He visited Michigan State in April.
“Jamir is sticky in coverage, quick on his feet,” 24/7 Sports Midwest Recruiting Coordinator Allen Trieu said. “I think he has a good chance at being a four-star prospect wise this time next year.”
Adrian Epps will quarterback the back end of the unit from a free safety spot, where he led the team with five interceptions last season as a junior. Epps is a Division I baseball prospect in centerfield.
Donovan Isaac and Deonte Pippen, both fast risers in the Class of 2024, will play key roles in the secondary for the upcoming campaign. Isaac visited Western Michigan with Williams last month. Pippen earned an Eastern Kentucky offer early in the spring. At this point in their recruitment, it’s unclear on which side of the ball they will play on at the next level.
Holy, Toledo, this kid is about to catch fire
Stoney Creek junior offensive lineman Jacob
Kropchak just snagged his first Division I college scholarship offer from the University of Toledo. The 6-5, 300-pound road-grader can play either guard spot in the trenches. His Cougars went 4-5 last year. Expect a flood of additional offers to be coming soon to Kropchak’s doorstep.
Tweet of the Week
“Ah, we ’bout to turn this thing up” — Walled Lake Western senior running back Darius Taylor (Minnesota commit) reacting to his quarterback, Drew Viotto switching his commitment from Eastern Michigan to Minnesota.