Best Returners & Biggest Shoes to Fill in the OAA-Red
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The OAA Red is among the most elite leagues in the entire state. Year after year, there’s at least 1 if not 2 state championship contenders in this elite league. This coming season, the OAA Red boasts elite division 1…
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Continue ReadingThe OAA Red is among the most elite leagues in the entire state. Year after year, there’s at least 1 if not 2 state championship contenders in this elite league. This coming season, the OAA Red boasts elite division 1 talent on each and every team. No team will have any “bye” weeks in 2022. In the OAA Red, you come to play. Here are some of the best graduating athletes, as well as the best returner on each squad.
West Bloomfield
Biggest Shoes – RB Dillon Tatum Dillon Tatum 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH West Bloomfield | 2022 State MI
Best Returner – ATH Semaj j. Morgan
I expect West Bloomfield to get back to its dominant ways. They return a ton of elite starters and are of course historically amazing. Dillon Tatum Dillon Tatum 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH West Bloomfield | 2022 State MI is headed to be the future RB1 at Michigan State, while Semaj Morgan is one of the most underrated talents in the state headed to Michigan. Look out. West Bloomfield will be great.
Clarkston
Biggest Shoes – QB Mike DePillo Mike DePillo 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Clarkston | 2022 State MI
Best Returner – G Cole Dellinger Cole Dellinger 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Clarkston | 2023 State MI
The Wolves are consistently great, and they lose a great one in 6’6″ QB Mike DePillo Mike DePillo 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Clarkston | 2022 State MI , though they retain some amazing talent, including D1 prospect Cole Dellinger Cole Dellinger 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Clarkston | 2023 State MI . Up and down the board, Clarkston is just as talented as West Bloomfield. Look out for Clarkston to be at the top of their game in 2022 and back in the State Championship mix.
Oxford
Best Returner – Cameron Jarrett
Nobody can ever fill the shoes of Tate Myre Tate Myre 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Oxford | 2023 MI . That’s why I didn’t put him, or anyone down as shoes to fill. Tate Myre Tate Myre 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Oxford | 2023 MI is an American Hero and would have been Oxford’s best returner. Myre was legitimately a D1 prospect. The amount that the Oxford community has gone through and continues to go through is immeasurable.
Speaking through a scout’s lens, Oxford has a massive 2022 senior class and many players will have to step up in order for Oxford to make a playoff run. It’s not impossible, but I’m afraid that it’s improbable for Oxford to be as good as they were in 2021 souly based on how many senior starters they had.
Stoney Creek
Biggest Shoes – QB Jacob Best Jacob Best 6'5" | 175 lbs | QB Stoney Creek | 2022 MI
Best Returner – OL Jacob Kropchak
This team has greatly improved over the years. Kropchak is legitimately one of the best linemen in the entire state, and he’ll be able to manhandle most everyone that steps in his path. In general, Stoney Creek has some nice turnaround from 2021 to 2022. I would not count them out of the OAA Red one bit.
Lake Orion
Biggest Shoes – WR Stephen Brown Stephen Brown 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Lake Orion | 2022 MI
Best Returner – DE James Patterson Jr
The Dragons just plainly need to put it together. They were inconsistent last season, and they lose a good amount of seniors as well. James Patterson Jr is an incredible defensive end that will undoubtedly make a huge difference any and every Friday night. Losing Stephen Brown Stephen Brown 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR Lake Orion | 2022 MI will hurt, as some young receivers are going to have to step up.
Southfield A&T
Biggest Shoes – LB Jerome Baker
Best Returner – QB Isaiah Marshall Isaiah Marshall 6'0" | 210 lbs | QB Southfield A&T | 2024 State MI
Seems strange seeing Southfield A&T at the bottom of the league standings considering their talent. Of course, the face of this team is Isaiah Marshall Isaiah Marshall 6'0" | 210 lbs | QB Southfield A&T | 2024 State MI , one of the premier QB’s in the state who will have the opportunity to play Division 1 College Football. Tashi Braceful stands out as a top-target for Marshall and he will be able to get some offers with a great year as well. All in all, this is a stacked OAA-Red and Southfield A&T will be in the mix for a while.