Western Michigan makes impression on top junior-class talent

Western Michigan came away with one of the top classes in the Mid-American Conference on national signing day.

But schools have turned their attention to the junior class, and WMU hosted several top targets Saturday. Among them were quarterback Dewayne Collins and defensive back Jamal Brown of Phillips, Kenwood defensive end Arthur Williams and wide receiver Leon Thornton and defensive back Terrell Johnson of Montini.

“I liked it a lot,” Thornton said of the experience. “I liked the feel of the campus, the coaches are all energetic, especially coach P.J. Fleck. He’s a great guy that’s doing great things over at Western Michigan.”

Thornton, who has taken several college visits, has scholarship offers from Illinois and Indiana, among others. But the visit was Johnson’s first.

“I enjoyed the atmosphere the most, really just the school and team’s motto and what they stand for,” Johnson said. “I got a tour of the campus, checking out the dorms and different halls. After that I went to the football facility and got to meet coach Fleck and spoke with him for some time.”

Brown also reflected positively on the visit.

“The visit went very well,’’ Brown said. ‘‘I liked everything they had to offer, and I would love to play for their head coach.”

Cyclones make offers to two

Iowa State dealt offers to Lemont junior wide receiver Flynn Nagel and Stevenson junior wide receiver Cameron Green. Nagel, a 5-11, 180-pounder who recently transferred from Marist, already had offers from Illinois, Indiana, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.

“Well, I have been in contact with [defensive graduate assistant coach] Derek Day a ton lately, and I have been talking to different coaches on the staff each time I would call,” Nagel said. “I met the head coach [Paul Rhoads] a few months ago at Marist, and then coach Day put me on the phone with him.’’

Nagel’s new team, Lemont, just went through a coaching change, as well. Bret Kooi took the reins.

“He’s an awesome guy, and he knows a ton about the game,” Nagel said. “He seems like a great coach.”

Green is a Scout.com three-star receiver. He has offers from Boston College, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, to name a few.