CLEVELAND — It's time to return to the glory of the "Friday Night Lights"! High school football is back in Northeast Ohio, with teams across the region revved and ready to compete for state championships.
But behind every great team are great players, and as always, the area has some extremely talented student athletes drawing the attention of not just their communities, but also national college scouts. The local recruiting class looks to be the most loaded in recent memory, and some still have multiple years left playing for their current schools.
So, let's get to it, as we take a peek at Northeast Ohio's top high school football players in 2023. As a guide, we'll use On3's Industry Rankings (different for juniors and seniors).
Bryce West - CB/RB, Glenville
On3 rankings (class of 2024): No. 52 overall, No. 5 CB, No. 2 in Ohio
Returning to the top of our list is the elite corner and leader of a stacked Tarblooder defense which won the school's first-ever state title a year ago. A four-star prospect who is already committed to Ohio State, 247Sports records West as picking off four passes last season and not allowing a touchdown. The senior is also known for his blazing speed, as evidenced by his two state track championships as a member of Glenville's 4x200 meter relay team.
Trey McNutt - DB/WR, Shaker Heights
On3 rankings (2025): No. 54 overall, No. 4 ATH, No. 2 in Ohio
Still only a junior, McNutt can do it all, and may just be able to lead the Red Raiders back to relevance after a disappointing 3-7 season. With track-style speed and impeccable vision on defense (he can intercept passes as well as rush the quarterback), he already has scholarship offers from more than 20 colleges, including Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
Bo Jackson - RB/S/LB, Villa Angela-St. Joseph
On3 rankings (2025): No. 132 overall, No. 10 RB, No. 3 in Ohio
Yes, he shares a name with THAT famous running back, but as far as we can tell the two are in no way related other than being both incredibly good at playing football. Ohio State and more than a dozen other schools are taking a close look at this Bo Jackson, and for good reason, as the four-star prospect's 4.5 speed and quick juke moves helped lead the Vikings to their best season in years in 2022.
Loghan Thomas - EDGE, St. Edward
On3 rankings (2024): No. 176 overall, No. 11 EDGE, No. 7 in Ohio
The senior pass rusher is a newcomer not only to this list, but to Greater Cleveland in general, having moved here from Texas to be closer to his mother's family. The four-star Notre Dame commit adds juice to an already stacked Eagles team looking to defend its two straight Division I championships, and though he was limited to just seven games last year he did total 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a sophomore while still at Katy Paetow High School.
Marquise Davis - RB/LB, Cleveland Heights
On3 rankings (2025): No. 139 overall, No. 13 ATH, No. 4 in Ohio
Simply put, we're not sure anyone can outrun this kid, and that's precisely why Ohio State, USC, and countless others want him on their campuses. It's that quickness that highlights a high-powered Cleveland Heights offense, which could make them (dare we say it?) bona fide state title contenders.
William Satterwhite - OL, Archbishop Hoban
On3 rankings (2024): No. 14 IOL, No. 10 in Ohio
The Knights don't rebuild; they reload, and that continues to be the case following two consecutive state championship game losses. Satterwhite appears to be the best of this talented squad, having slowing risen up recruiting boards last year before finally committing to Tennessee in the offseason. The hulking guard can overpower all challengers, and was a big reason why the since-graduated Lamar Sperling was named Ohio's Mr. Football in 2022.
Damarion Witten - TE/WR, Glenville
On3 rankings (2024): No. 25 TE, No. 13 in Ohio
Keeping the prestigious "Glenville Pipeline" alive is this 6-foot-4, 215-pound pass-catcher, who will join Bryce West at Ohio State next fall. Witten caught three passes for 81 yards in the Tarblooders' state title victory over Wyoming, including a 39-yard touchdown.
Luke Hamilton - OL/DT, Avon
On3 rankings (2024): No. 27 IOL, No. 13 in Ohio
Hamilton has been on our radar for two years now, and following his junior season announced he will be taking his talents to Michigan in 2024 (while throwing some jabs at Ohio State in the process). The soon-to-be-graduate is normally the Eagles' left tackle, but also has plenty of experience at guard, all while paying the way for runners like Cincinnati commit Jakorion Caffey.
Dom Kirks - DE/TE, Painesville Riverside
On3 rankings (2024): No. 27 IOL, No. 13 in Ohio
After spending his junior year at VASJ, Kirks transferred back to his home district for his senior season, and hopes to help the Beavers improve on last year's 11-2 record. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder quickly wowed analysts in 2022 and earned a scholarship from Washington, and seems comfortable in the 4-3 defensive scheme where he can play both ends of the line.
Brendan Zurbrugg - QB, Alliance
On3 rankings (2024): No. 66 QB, No. 47 in Ohio
Finally, we highlight the area's best quarterback, who after a bit of a rocky recruiting journey has settled on Oklahoma next year. As a junior in 2023, the three-star prospect Zurbrugg completed 76% of his passes for 2,184 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also rushing for 804 yards and 11 scores.
Other notable players (committed colleges listed):
- Deonte Armstrong - OL, St. Edward (Ohio State)
- Devontae Armstrong - OL, St. Edward (Ohio State)
- Ben Roebuck - OL, St. Edward (Michigan)
- Dante McClellan - LB/SS, Canton McKinley
- Rickey Williams - LB, Archbishop Hoban (West Virginia)
- Brandon Caesar - DL, Cleveland Heights
- Tommy Ricard - OL, Hudson (Virginia Tech)
- Fred Johnson - OL, Cleveland Glenville (Louisville)
- Devyn Zahursky - TE, Berea-Midpark (Cincinnati)
- Sean Patrick - RB/CB, Kenston (Akron)
- Jakorion Caffey - RB/FS, Avon (Cincinnati)
- Andrew Hanchuk - OL/DL, Berea-Midpark (Virginia Tech)
- Chase Bond - DL/OL, Massillon Washington (NC State)
- Troy Regovich - DL, St. Edward (Northwestern)
- Kareem Jennings - EDGE, Cleveland Glenville
- Dakota Taylor - TE/WR, Akron Buchtel (Kent State)
- Ibraheem Kamara - SS/WR, Akron East (Toledo)
- Kyan Mason - WR/FS, St. Edward (Akron)
- Leo Colombi - S/WR, Chardon (Miami (OH))
- Sean Martin - RB/CB, Saint Ignatius (Toledo)
- Devin Bell - EDGE, Archbishop Hoban (Miami (OH))
