Prospect Report: Shaker Heights vs Ann Arbor Skyline
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Shaker Heights (Ohio) opened the season on Thursday night at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland against the visitor Ann Arbor (Mich.) Skyline. The game was a tense affair featuring numerous Division I prospects, including 2018 Pitt linebacker target Jaylin Garner and 2017 Michigan State wide receiver commit Hunter Rison.
Hunter Rison – Skyline – The 6-foot, 190-pound Michigan State commit was the clear focal point of the scoring efforts for Ann Arbor Skyline in the season debut. Rison is the son of former NFL standout Andre “Bad Moon” Rison and while he’s on track to follow his father in being an impressive Division I college wide receiver at Michigan State, that’s pretty much where the comparisons end. While his father was flashy and explosive, the younger Rison is a technician at wide receiver who excels as a clean route runner and dependable target. The quarterback play for Skyline was somewhat inconsistent, but Rison hauled in two of the team’s three touchdowns. He struggled catching the ball through contact, but it was a solid performance on the whole for Rison.
Jaylin Garner – Shaker Heights – Garner is one of Ohio’s more intriguing 2018 linebacker prospects in what should be a strong year for the position in the state. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker is slimmed down from last season and he’s clearly benefitted from shedding the baby weight and adding lean muscle. Shaker Heights used Garner as a stand-up edge rusher, from multiple linebacker positions, and with his hand in the dirt at multiple turns. He was an athletic prospect who had to chase down plays when Skyline would run away from him. While his impact in the first half wasn’t overly noticeable, Garner dominated the fourth quarter and frequently harassed Skyline in the backfield. Garner notched a sack and the game-clinching safety to put things out of reach for Shaker late in the fourth quarter.
TreShaun Hayward – Skyline – A 6-foot-1, 205-pound Western Michigan commit who chose the Broncos over Illinois and most of the other programs in the MAC, Hayward was physical and aggressive for Skyline. He held up well at the point of attack from the defensive side and punched in a touchdown in the running game when he spelled teammate Charles Jones at tailback.
Terrance Colvin Jr – Shaker Heights – While 2017 athlete Terrance Colvin Jr. has yet to pick up his first scholarship offer, he was the best player on the field in a game that featured multiple Division I prospects. Colvin set the tone early for Shaker Heights, returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, and he didn’t take his foot off of the pedal. Colvin returned another kick for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory for Shaker Heights. He played every single snap for the Red Raiders on offense, defense, and special teams without showing fatigue. It was an impressive performance from a player who could be a defensive back or wide receiver in college. Colvin checked in at 6-feet and 170 pounds.
Charles Jones – Skyline – The 5-foot-11, 210-pound power back was the heart of Skyline’s running game. Jones is projected as a fullback at Central Michigan, where he committed over offers from many of the programs in the MAC. The future Chippewa displayed great leg drive and refused to go down at first contact, winning the leverage battles and pushing the pile. Garner was perhaps the only Shaker Heights defender who could bring down Jones by himself.
Shaker Heights contained a small handful of other notable prospects. 2018 dual-threat quarterback Jamir Dismukes is somewhat undersized at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds but he was elusive and slippery in the backfield, picking up nearly 100 yards on the ground. 6-foot-3, 195-pound 2018 wide receiver William Greer was somewhat inconsistent but displayed nice physical traits and should have a bright future. 2018 defensive end Cory Ivory (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and 2018 tight end William Dunn Jr. (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) are both young prospects with nice size and athleticism who should push for college offers as they learn the game and refine their skills.