The Greater Cleveland Conference has a lot of returning talent for the 2022 season. Here are some of the top players on the heels of the season opening.
Offense
QB Scotty Fox/Jacob Snow, Mentor - This talented duo, in whatever ways they are used, should give Mentor the advantage at the QB position in the league. Fox, just a sophomore, already has an offer from Bowling Green. Snow has shown flashes of stellar play since starting in the 2020 state semifinal game.RB EJ Taylor, Solon - After a junior season (1,400+ yards and 17 TD's) that earned him First Team All-District, expect Taylor to be one of the best backs in the state.
WR Brennen Schramm, Medina - The First Team All-Ohio receiver became Drew Allar's top target as he hauled in 82 catches for 1,333 yards and 14 TD's in 2021.
WR Joel Kpassou, Solon - The Ball State commit stood out for the Comets last year as he was recognized for First Team All-District.
WR Jamal Jefferson Jr., Euclid - A rising junior in the state, Jefferson has offers from Ball State and Kent State.
WR Jordan Stapleton, Mentor - Having the most returning production and experience for the Cardinals, expect a big year for Stapleton in Mentor's pass-heavy offense.
OL Colin Van Rooy, Strongsville - The 6'5, 300-pound tackle is one of the top at his position in Ohio as he started opposite Clemson-commit Blake Miller last season. Van Rooy follows Miller to the ACC by committing to Pitt.
OL Michael McClure, Mentor - The senior tackle has the most size (6'4, 275) and experience returning on the Cardinals' offensive line.
OL Sean Houser, Brunswick - College football is in the future for this big (6'4, 270) starting tackle for the Blue Devils.
OL Myshaun Turner, Euclid - The 6'6, 290-pound lineman will anchor Euclid's offensive line. Turner has an offer from Akron.
OL Patrick Gillespie, Medina - The returning starter at center, Gillespie (6'4, 265) was a key part of an offensive line that was instrumental in Medina's dynamic 2021 offense.
DT Jamari Holmes, Solon - An impactful two-way player for the Comets that is a three-year starter. Holmes has offers to D2 colleges like Lake Erie and Wheeling.
DE Ryan Lawson, Mentor - Playing with Vernon, expect Lawson to help be a part of the top defensive line in the league.
LB Michael Novak, Strongsville - A three year starter with college football in his future, Novak will be a leader on defense for the Mustangs this season.
LB Ryan Merrill, Euclid - A three-year starter, Merrill has earned a First Team (2020) and Second Team (2021) All-District selection in two varsity seasons.
LB Collin Orosz, Mentor - A key standout and sure tackler last season, Orosz earned Second Team All-District honors for his strong play.
DB Caleb Pohto, Mentor - After a standout season with a team-high five interceptions, Pohto is one of the top defensive talents in the GCC.
DB Branyan Nichols, Brunswick - A two-way starter as a running back, Nichols is one of Brunswick's most important returning players.
DB Charlie Bubonics, Solon - A two-way standout for the Comets, Bubonics is a playmaker in the secondary to go along with his stellar play at quarterback.
DB Brian McQuaide, Solon - Another dynamic player on both sides of the ball for Solon, McQuaide is one of the top juniors in the league.
WR Jordan Stapleton, Mentor - Having the most returning production and experience for the Cardinals, expect a big year for Stapleton in Mentor's pass-heavy offense.
OL Colin Van Rooy, Strongsville - The 6'5, 300-pound tackle is one of the top at his position in Ohio as he started opposite Clemson-commit Blake Miller last season. Van Rooy follows Miller to the ACC by committing to Pitt.
OL Michael McClure, Mentor - The senior tackle has the most size (6'4, 275) and experience returning on the Cardinals' offensive line.
OL Sean Houser, Brunswick - College football is in the future for this big (6'4, 270) starting tackle for the Blue Devils.
OL Myshaun Turner, Euclid - The 6'6, 290-pound lineman will anchor Euclid's offensive line. Turner has an offer from Akron.
OL Patrick Gillespie, Medina - The returning starter at center, Gillespie (6'4, 265) was a key part of an offensive line that was instrumental in Medina's dynamic 2021 offense.
Defense
DL Brenan Vernon, Mentor - A starter since a freshman, Vernon (6'5, 270) is one of the top recruits in the 2023 class as he is committed to Notre Dame.
DE Chase Smith, Euclid - Finished with 11 sacks last season as he earned some All-District recognition.
DE Ryan Lawson, Mentor - Playing with Vernon, expect Lawson to help be a part of the top defensive line in the league.
LB Michael Novak, Strongsville - A three year starter with college football in his future, Novak will be a leader on defense for the Mustangs this season.
LB Ryan Merrill, Euclid - A three-year starter, Merrill has earned a First Team (2020) and Second Team (2021) All-District selection in two varsity seasons.
LB Collin Orosz, Mentor - A key standout and sure tackler last season, Orosz earned Second Team All-District honors for his strong play.
DB Caleb Pohto, Mentor - After a standout season with a team-high five interceptions, Pohto is one of the top defensive talents in the GCC.
DB Branyan Nichols, Brunswick - A two-way starter as a running back, Nichols is one of Brunswick's most important returning players.
DB Charlie Bubonics, Solon - A two-way standout for the Comets, Bubonics is a playmaker in the secondary to go along with his stellar play at quarterback.
DB Brian McQuaide, Solon - Another dynamic player on both sides of the ball for Solon, McQuaide is one of the top juniors in the league.
