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Football preview: Oakland County’s top 50 players for the 2024 season
When asking who’s paving the way for success for Oakland County football teams this fall, some of the direct answers might be found right here.
In 2022, the county was rich with elite running backs like Walled Lake Western’s Darius Taylor and Brother Rice’s Nolan Ray. Last year’s top-tier talent included QBs like Isaiah Marshall from state champ Southfield A&T, along with Kalieb Osborne from Waterford Mott.
This year’s list, though, is proof of the elite talent along the offensive lines throughout the area. Led by a future Wolverine, four pavers are among the top-10 — seven in the top-16 — much to the delight of some skill position players that are also scattered throughout below as well.
That being said, here’s a look at the top 50 players in Oakland County for the 2024 season:
1 Avery Gach (Birmingham Groves 6-5, 295 Sr. OL) — Committed to Michigan, Gach exhibits pro potential and is one of the more elite lineman prospects Oakland County has seen in recent years. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida State and USC all came after him before he chose Michigan.
2 Kam Flowers (West Bloomfield 6-0, 175 Sr. WR) — Committed to Toledo, Flowers is a power-conference prospect steal for the Rockets and the fastest pass-catcher in Oakland County this fall. He recorded 1,085 total yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior.
3 Jack Janda (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 6-6, 225 Jr. TE) — The No. 1 tight end prospect in the state’s junior class, Janda transferred to Catholic Central from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the winter and holds offers from Michigan, Oregon, Wisconsin and others.
4 Charles “D.J.” White (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 6-2, 200 Sr. LB) — Committed to Michigan State, White is a menace sideline to sideline, with a high gridiron IQ and ferocious tackling ability,
5 Jaden Pydyn (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 6-2, 220 Sr. RB/S) — Committed to Army, Pydyn can burn opposing teams in multiple ways and will return to tailback full-time this year after playing quarterback for most of last season. He’ll play baseball at West Point as well.
6 Jayden Savoury (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 6-6, 215 Sr. TE) — Committed to Michigan State, Savoury is the No. 1 tight end in the state’s Class of 2025 and starred on St. Mary’s state-championship basketball team last winter.
7 Ben Eziuka (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 6-4, 290 Sr. OL) — The next in line in the legacy of great Shamrocks run blockers and pass protectors. Eziuka has offers from Penn State and Kentucky right now and is showing immense progress every snap.
8 Bryson Williams (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 6-2, 200 Sr. ATH) — Committed to Michigan State, Williams is considered to have a very high upside at the next level by scouts and just started to hit his stride as a prepster last season as a junior. He can stretch the field vertically or burn cornerbacks across the middle with his stellar crossing route ability
9 Liam Vaughan (Walled Lake Western 6-4, 285 Sr. OL) — Committed to Western Michigan, Vaughan is Metro Detroit’s “Pancake King” and maybe the most fundamentally-sound lineman in the area. A four-year starter, he’s posted more than 300 pancake blocks in his varsity career so far.
10 Jay Gardenhire (West Bloomfield 6-8, 365 Sr. OL) — Committed to Colorado, Gardenhire transferred into the “Swamp” in the offseason from New Jersey and is ready to make a major impact in Oakland County headlining the protection unit for the Lakers’ high-powered offense.
11 Tristan Hill (Lake Orion 6-0, 180 Sr. QB) — The three-year starter and RPO magician boasted 1,785 yards and 22 touchdowns from scrimmage last season in leading the Dragons to an undefeated regular season and the OAA Red title.
12 Ryland Watters (Rochester Adams 6-2, 195 Jr. QB) — As dangerous as dual-threat signal caller as there is in the area right now, pure electricity under center operating the veer offense for the Highlanders. He is also an elite baseball recruit.
13 Antonio Johnson (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 6-5, 285 Sr. OL) — He will be in his third straight year anchoring the Eaglets’ line play and is choosing between Penn State, Michigan State and Illinois right now.
14 Elisha Durham (West Bloomfield 6-0, 170 Sr. WR) — This 3-star prospect has Wisconsin in hot pursuit of his college commitment and is a big-play specialist in space.
15 Danilo Guberinich (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 6-5, 285 Sr. OL) — Committed to Western Michigan, Guberinich will captain the line for the Shamrocks again and remains the heart and soul of the team.
16 Spencer Beckeman (Stoney Creek 6-6, 285 Sr. OL) — Committed to Western Michigan, Beekman is tough as nails and smart as a whip up front and another in a long line of high-quality tackle prospects to emerge out of the Cougars’ Den.
17 Noah Sanders (Birmingham Groves 6-0, 175 Sr. RB) — Building off a breakout junior campaign, the son of Barry Sanders shows moves like his dad with more speed.
18 Donovan Triplett (Walled Lake Western 5-9, 175 Jr. RB) — The best running back in the LVC is ready to make a name for himself as one of the most lethal ball-toters in the state this season. During his breakout junior campaign, he ran for 1,285 yards and 14 scores.
19 Samson Gash (Novi Detroit Catholic Central 6-0, 175 Jr. WR) — Coaches and scouts are anticipating a breakout campaign for this slippery playmaker and NFL offspring.
20 Luke Johnson (Oxford 6-0, 195 Sr. RB) — The most underrated playmaker on offense in the OAA and the area’s most punishing rusher, Johnson epitomizes the heart that the Wildcats play with and could be a sleeper pick for Mr. Football.
21 Brendon Rice (North Farmington 6-4, 265 Sr. DL) — Committed to Rice, the Raiders’ defensive tackle is a high-value grab for the Owls down in Houston. Last season, he tallied 86 tackles and 10 sacks.
22 Cade Wilhelmi (Birmingham Detroit Country Day 6-6, 275 Sr. OL) — Committed to Toledo, Wilhelmi is a monster at the point attack and a natural leader.
23 Chris Little (Birmingham Groves 5-10, 170 Sr. CB) — Committed to Grand Valley State, Little is the best pure cover corner in Oakland County and has 18 career interceptions.
24 Griffin Boman (Clarkston 6-0, 195 Jr. RB/LB) — Expect Bowman to be the hardest-working ball-carrier in the OAA in 2024, building on a big-effort playoff push as a sophomore.
25 Jalien Peacock (Troy 6-3, 185 Sr. WR) — Committed to Saginaw Valley State, Peacock is the best player in the OAA that most people don’t know about yet.
The next 25:
26 Jaiden Allos (West Bloomfield Sr. ATH)
27 Lucas Tic (Troy Sr. OL) — Committed to Grand Valley State
28 Jeremiah Benson (West Bloomfield Sr. OL/DL)
29 Beau Jackson (West Bloomfield Sr. QB)
30 Jamal Shakespear (West Bloomfield Jr. QB/S)
31 Noah Oury (Troy Sr. QB) — Committed to Grand Valley State
32 Shane Rachner (Walled Lake Western Sr. LB)
33 Lucas Price (Walled Lake Western Sr. LB)
34 Axel Newell (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Sr. QB)
35 Josh Tate (West Bloomfield Sr. RB)
36 Matteo Humbert (Rochester Adams Sr. RB)
37 Anthony Cartwright (Birmingham Detroit Country Day Soph. TE)
38 Max Jansenvanjuren (Waterford Mott Jr. ATH)
39 Geno Seets (Waterford Mott Jr. QB/WR/S)
40 Kenny Brooks (Southfield A&T Jr. LB)
41 Jonathan Edison (West Bloomfield Sr. CB)
42 Trey Pochmara (Lake Orion Sr. S)
43 Jordan Melton (Southfield A&T Sr. CB)
44 Sam Fogler (Stoney Creek Sr. RB)
45 Nate Piggott (Troy Athens Jr. TE)
46 Mario Campo-Lavisco (Birmingham Groves Sr. RB)
47 Justin Greer-Sykes (Auburn Hills Avondale Sr. RB)
48 Lance Briolat (Ortonville Brandon Sr. QB)
49 Brody Pikur (West Bloomfield Sr. ATH)
50 Troy Temple (Walled Lake Western Sr. S)
