Preview: HYPE Athletics Showcase

HYPE Athletics is based in Dearborn Heights, Mich., but this weekend the training group will be taking its talents a little way down US-12 to Canton, Mich. for the HYPE Athletics Showcase. The event takes place this Saturday, and features a few names that Michigan fans are very familiar with, along with a few prospects to watch for the future.

Detroit Loyola 2014 defensive lineman Malik McDowell

McDowell - who is currently a "maybe" on the list - will be the headliner of the event should he make it. The 6-6, 292-pounder is the No. 21 player in the nation (tops in-state), and holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Stanford and USC, just to name a few. He holds a Michigan offer, and the Wolverines are high on his list. However, McDowell has maintained that he is nowhere near a college decision.

Southfield (Mich.) 2014 defensive end Lawrence Marshall

Like McDowell, Marshall holds a Michigan offer. The 6-4, 215-pounder is a three-star ranked the No. 19 weakside defensive end in the country, and schools like Michigan State (the presumed leader) and Ohio State are the primary competition.

Ithaca (Mich.) 2014 quarterback Travis Smith

Smith is a 6-2, 200-pound three star who holds offers from Central Michigan, Old Dominion, and Western Michigan. He was impressive at last week's Rivals Camp Series event in Cincinnati, and is likely to end up with many more offers when all is said and done.

Lapeer (Mich.) East 2014 tight end Kyle Rachwal

Rachwal visited Michigan several times during the season, but has not picked up a Wolverine offer. He did pick up his first scholarship offer from Eastern Michigan recently, and should continue to see his profile blow up as he adds weight to reach true tight end size.

Detroit Loyola 2014 offensive lineman Ka'John Armstrong

Less heralded than his fellow Loyola lineman Malik McDowell, Armstrong should be a BCS-calber prospect in his own right. He has been limited this offseason after suffering a broken foot in the Bulldogs' state title game loss. At 6-5, 265 pounds, he should still develop into a BCS-caliber lineman.

Lapeer (Mich.) East 2015 offensive lineman Anthony Herbert

Herbert has the size and build to play guard in college. He's only just started hearing from colleges, but should pick up more attention during the process. He plans to camp at Michigan this summer.

Grosse Pointe (Mich.) North 2015 quarterback Dan Robinson

Robinson showed out at the Core 6 Showcase in Cincinnati back in February, displaying a strong arm with the ability to get nice rotation on each pass. He's waiting for college attention, but it should come in due time.

Oak Park (Mich.) 2015 offensive/defensive lineman Shahid Bellamy

Oak Park is developing into one of the best programs in the near Northwest suburbs of Detroit. The 6-3, 250-pounder Bellamy already has the size to develop into a high-level recruit, and is developing his technique.

Detroit King 2015 safety Tyriq Thompson

Thompson is a well known name for Michigan fans. He is the son of former Wolverine Clarence Thompson, and likely to be a high-caliber prospect in his own right. He's a safety now, but given that he's already 6-2, 215 pounds, he could grow into an outside linebacker.

There are several other players to watch who are of note to Michigan fans and followers of recruiting in general. Detroit Loyola 2014 wide receiver Keith Graves, Orchard Lake St. Mary's defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson, and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice wide receiver Corey Lacanaria. Several more late signups could make the roster as well, so stay tuned Saturday for updates from the event.