Northern Michigan football faithful have a lot to be excited about when looking at the crop of newcomers that they'll welcome to Marquette next season. In particular, the batch of freshman receivers looks really solid. There's a lot of talent, upside and athleticism in the group.
Hunter Belanger (TE / FB, Grosse Pointe South)
Belanger was a versatile All-State player. He's an excellent blocker that can also catch the ball over the middle. Belanger has the potential to be a bruiser for Northern Michigan.
Jaxon Childers (WR, Benzie Central)
Childers is a dynamic athlete that will bring a lot to the table at the college level. He was a multi sport star that was also actively recruited as a basketball player. Childers brings a deep play and big play capability on the outside. He amassed over 2500 yards and over 35 touchdowns at Benzie Central. Childers is a natural leader that could assume that role early in his college career.
Maurice Davis (WR, Marian Catholic High School)
Davis is a high quality player with tons of potential as well. He works really well out of motion and runs good smooths routes out of it. Davis can be a threat to run off the motion as well. He has the ability to high point a ball and go up after it.
Jake Heemstra (TE, Forest Hills Eastern)
Heemstra was a multi sport star at Forest Hills Eastern in Grand Rapids. He has excellent hands and does a great job tracking the ball in the air and making highlight reel catches. Heemstra plays bigger than his weight and does a nice job of engaging his blocks and staying with them.
Kaleb Isom (WR, Marian Catholic High School)
Isom is a quick twitch receiver that could give defensive back headaches in his time at Northern Michigan. He can change direction on a dime and wrong foot defenders with relative ease. Isom really has big play potential when he gets in the open field.
Hayden May (WR, De Pere)
May has nice looking straight line speed, using big strides to get down the field and make big plays. He looks very comfortable working out of the slot and making catches in traffic across the middle. When he makes crossing route catches, he has the ability to stride it out and break away on the outside.
Cardel Morton (WR, Kingsford)
Morton will be staying close to home at Northern Michigan. He is a terrific all around athlete with solid body control on the football field. Morton was yet another multi sport athlete that the Wildcats targeted in this class.
Isaac Olson (WR, Little Falls Community High School)
Olson could be fun to watch over the coming years at Northern Michigan. He feels like a possession receiver with solid hands. But Olson can turn a short catch on the outside into a big play at any time with his active feet after the catch.
Mason Struck (WR, Chesaning)
Struck is an incoming player to keep a close eye on. He has a rare combination of size, strength and athleticism. He was also a high level basketball prospect in Michigan. His athletic versatility is tremendous and served him very well in multiple high school sports. Struck's upside is tremendous.
Bradyn Taylor (TE, Vel Phillips Memorial)
Taylor will be fun to watch when playing for the Wildcats. He has the potential to be a physical receiver that can make a catch off contact. Taylor can brush off defenders and focus on the ball. He has the ability to run through defenders down the field as well.