Several sophomores established themselves as standouts in 2025 and are looking to continue their stellar play this season.
Here are 10 rising juniors to watch across the state, listed in alphabetical order by last name.
LaMarcus Army, Detroit Cass Tech
Army has prototypical size for a defensive back at 6-foot-1 and 173 pounds, using his physicality at safety and corner last season.
He forced several turnovers, including a fumble that provided a big boost in the team’s 20-point comeback win against Toledo Central Catholic.
“One thing when you see guys differentiate themselves to be high caliber football players at the next level … guys that just have an instinct to find themselves around the ball,” Cass Tech coach Marvin Rushing said. “Whether it’s in the run game or pass game. So, he just has it.”
Army is the best defensive back in the state for the class of 2028, with offers from Oregon, Michigan and several others.
Jayden Bell, Birmingham Brother Rice
Bell is coming off a sophomore season that saw him wreck offensive game plans on the way to 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
“He’s one of the quickest ends I’ve ever coached,” Brother Rice coach Aaron Marshall said. “His quick twitch is amazing, he’s very strong. … When you mix his strength with his speed and quickness, it just makes it really difficult to block him.”
Standing at 6-5 and 220 pounds, Bell is ranked in the top 50 nationally in his class with 39 offers across the country.
This offseason he worked with former NFL All-Pro Aaron Donald’s 2Tenths Speed & Agility, learning from one of the best pass rushers of all time.
Deandre Bidden, Harper Woods
Bidden is the younger of Harper Woods’ two five-star receivers, learning from Class of 2027 standout Dakota Guerrant as a freshman before exploding for 853 total yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
“He has great vertical range and ball skills,” Harper Woods coach Rod Oden said. “What makes Deandre great is his explosiveness. He can turn a 5-yard catch into a 60-yard catch in an instant. He’s as quick as a hiccup.”
His 6-1, 185-pound frame allows him to be utilized all over the field, scoring long touchdowns as a receiver and running back while also making plays in the return game.
Bidden is the highest-rated 2028 recruit in the state, with offers from LSU, Ohio State, Michigan and 27 others.
Deondre Hill, Birmingham Brother Rice
At 6-2 and 215 pounds, Hill is a tone-setter for Brother Rice, starting at both running back and linebacker.
In the team’s opening-round state playoff victory over Walled Lake Western, he ran for 118 yards and the winning touchdown with 1:36 left, his second touchdown of the evening.
“The amount of work that he’s putting in, the things that he’s doing right now in practice, we’re just in awe of his growth mentally to get his body ready for the both ways thing,” Marshall said. “Deondre Hill right now is very pivotal to our success.”
Hill is projected to be a linebacker at the next level, with offers from 19 schools including Indiana and Wisconsin.
Austin Nelson, East Kentwood
Nelson enters his third season starting at corner after posting seven pass breakups, two interceptions and 25 tackles as a sophomore.
He has put on 10 pounds in the offseason and is up to 6-foot and 177 pounds as he prepares to take on a larger role as a receiver this season.
“I think the state hasn’t seen him fully unleashed yet,” East Kentwood coach Tyrone Spencer said. “It’ll be a great thing to see him when he’s doing all those things. … Really excited about that and what he brings to our team.”
Nelson had a strong showing at Michigan State’s 7-on-7 summer tournament and has offers from Washington, Boston College and 11 other schools.
Camden Noe, Portage Central
Noe will also be looked to for more contributions on both sides of the ball this season after an incredible sophomore campaign saw him rush for 1,803 yards and 21 touchdowns while posting 24 catches for 253 yards and four scores.
He remains a focal point of the offense this season but will also step into a starting linebacker spot after the graduation of Charlie Jilek (Texas).
“His run and hit factor, anytime you have someone that size that runs that well and plays that physical, that’s exactly what you’re looking for out of a linebacker,” Portage Central coach Mick Enders said.
Noe (6-4, 220) has offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and others.
Drew Sheridan, Dearborn Divine Child
Sheridan led Divine Child to its first state championship in 40 years a season ago, completing 82% of his passes for 2,842 yards and 31 touchdowns while throwing only three interceptions over 14 starts. In the title game, he threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
“His football IQ is really off the charts,” Divine Child coach Chris Laney said. “He sits in our meetings and he’s very, very knowledgeable in the game of football, coverages and areas of the field to attack. Then his accuracy is really unmatched.”
He has offers from Penn State, Pittsburgh and more.
Sheridan has grown to 6-2 and 180 pounds this offseason, looking to use his legs more to extend plays this season.
Donald Tabron II, Detroit Cass Tech
Tabron is another rising junior quarterback with championship experience, leading Cass Tech to the Division 1 final each of the last two seasons and winning a state title as a freshman.
With a 6-4, 200-pound frame and a strong arm, Tabron is one of the best signal-callers in his class and threw for 2,819 yards and 35 touchdowns last season.
“He’s a football junkie,” Rushing said. “He’s trying to make sure he understands the defenses, every aspect of how he can make our team better. His goal is to play on Sundays, and he’s going to get there because of the work ethic and the talent God has blessed him with.”
Tabron is a five-star recruit and has 30 offers including Texas A&M, Michigan and Ohio State.
Tyler Trusel, Birmingham Brother Rice
Trusel (6-4, 185) possesses size and speed at the receiver position and is able to take the top off the defense.
He showed off his physicality in the team’s 43-31 win against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s last season, making a 48-yard contested catch on his way to four receptions for 93 yards.
“His catch radius is unbelievable,” Marshall said. “He’s the kind of guy that would make a quarterback look great. Just get it in his area and he’s coming down with it.”
Trusel played some defensive back last season and will continue to expand his role defensively as a junior. He has 31 offers from schools like Michigan, Michigan State and Indiana.
Antijuan Wilkes, Detroit Cass Tech
Wilkes is the top-ranked offensive tackle in the 2028 class by ESPN, with elite size at 6-7 and 280 pounds.
He anchors the Cass Tech line from the left tackle spot, securing Tabron’s blindside in pass protection while opening up holes in the run game with his athleticism.
“He has a nasty streak in him,” Rushing said. “His ability to run is second to none. His movement, his feet are top-notch. He has a delivery with his hands, a violent punch. So that’s why all these schools are salivating over him because he has everything you would ask God for in an offensive tackle.”
Wilkes had 41 offers before cutting his list down to 12 schools in June.
Nathan Korp is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Watch list: Top 10 rising juniors for 2026 high school football season
Reporting by Nathan Korp, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Nathan Korp, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
