Every year college coaches make sure to stop into Orchard Lake Saint Mary's School in Michigan. In the past 5 years alone the schools has sent players to Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Purdue, Northwestern and Florida State. This year coaches are stopping in to take a long look at Justin Semmes. SpartanMag.com spoke with him earlier today and has the latest.

The 6-foot-1, 220 Semmes is the younger brother of Jason Semmes. The elder Semmes signed with the Iowa Hawkeyes in February as a linebacker/defensive end prospect. Justin is now getting serious attention from several schools.

"I am hearing from lots of schools," Semmes said. "Notre Dame, Michigan State, Michigan and Iowa have all been in-touch with me. I went to a Notre Dame's junior day the other week. It was nice."

Semmes is listed as a linebacker in the Rivals.com database, and some schools are looking him at that spot, but he could very well project as a fullback at the next level. Semmes rushed for 699-yards on 163 carries and scored 7 touchdowns last fall for Saint Mary's from the fullback spot. He often was used to get the tough yards and also was the lead blocker for Dominique White.

"I actually really like fullback Semmes said. That is the position I would prefer to play."

Semmes was one of the key components in Saint Mary's run to the state title game. They lost that game 46-39 to East Grand Rapids in a thrilling 5-OT contest. In that game Semmes rushed for 72-yards on 14 carries and caught one pass for 14-yards.
Semmes believes that the Eaglets have the talent to take it a step further next year.

"We lost some good players, but we have some very good player coming back and everyone is working hard. I think if we can come together as a team the same way we did last year we will have a great season."

Semmes has been invited to a lot of junior day functions as well as camps and combines, but his busy schedule makes it tough for him to attend. Semmes plays Lacrosse for Orchard Lake and often has practice and games on the weekends. He does plan on attending the Rivals.com 5-Star Junior Day that will be held next weekend.

Spartan Coach Dan Enos serves as the primary recruiter of Orchard Lake Saint Mary's for the Spartans and Semmes indicated that he knows the Spartan are interested in seeing him this summer.

"One of our coaches went to Michigan State and he told me that they have said they are looking forward to seeing me up there.

Semmes informed us that he does plan on camping at Michigan State for a day this summer. The Spartans are off to a great start to the 2009 recruiting class, but camp will still be a valuable evaluation tool for Coach Dantonio and his staff.

As far as a favorite school, Semmes indicated that he is completely open-minded at this point. His brother had to wait until after his senior season to get his Big ten offer and Semmes indicated that he would be willing to do that if he has to, but he could make a decision before then.

"If I get the right offer and I feel that it is a good fit for me, I would have no problem making my decision before my senior year. If I have to wait things out I will."

SpartanMag.com will be covering the Rivals 5-Star Junior Day. We will be sure to speak with Semmes at that event and will also get highlight film uploaded to his profile in the coming weeks. The class of 2009 has a chance to be one of the best in recent memory and Semmes could be one of the players who could move up the rankings this spring and summer.


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