Oakland County’s top 50 players for the 2024 season

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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Birmingham Groves offensive lineman Avery Gach signals after a play in a game against Southfield A&T on Sept. 14, 2023. Gach, committed to Michigan, is the top OL in what’s a talented crop at the position across Oakland County this season. MATTHEW B. MOWERY — MEDIANEWS GROUP

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By Scott Burnstein

For MediaNews Group

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.