The D Zone’s Top 15 players heading into 2024 season

Michigan is ripe with high school football talent entering the 2024 season, promising a competitive season for each division.

Belleville is once again loaded with future Division 1 college athletes, but plenty of teams have multiple nationally-ranked recruits.

Here is a breakdown of The D Zone’s top-15 players entering the season based off of our pre-season player of the year watchlist:

Bryce Underwood, Belleville - One of the highest-ranked recruits Michigan has ever seen in any sport. A five-star national prospect (No. 1 overall in the 2025 class) and LSU commit, Underwood has all the tools to be a star at the next level and maybe even beyond. Explosive as a passer and runner, he could flirt with some state records and a state title this fall. A must-watch for football fans of any level.

Jayden Savoury, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s - Still very new to football, Savoury’s trajectory went through a meteoric rise last year. He remains a two-sport star who seemed like a lock to play basketball at the next level, but he committed to Michigan State for football over the summer. At 6-6, he’s one of the most physically imposing tight ends in the state.

CJ Sadler, Cass Tech - A potentially dominant defensive back, on a team that has several great DBs. Sadler is also an explosive offensive talent, but perhaps hasn’t settled on his best position, yet, on that side of the ball. Plays with swagger and confidence, as any five-star recruit should, and could still improve as he enters his junior season.

Carson Carswell, Mason - The Western Illinois commit dazzled last season, racking up 31 total touchdowns and over 2,300 total yards. Carswell led Mason to the state title game but fell 27-10 to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central. He’s physically strong with an above-average arm and great scrambling ability. Still just scratching the surface of his full potential.

Darrin Strey, Paw Paw - A mountain of an offensive tackle, virtually impossible to beat off the block at this level. Committed to Kentucky in June, and could have an immediate impact there. Strey might serve up more pancakes than your local breakfast restaurant this fall. He’s aggressive at the point of attack and is equally capable at blocking speed and power rushers.

Ronny Johnson, Dexter - A three-star national recruit, Johnson will head to Evanston, IL to play at Northwestern. Quick and powerful, Johnson made an immediate impact last year after transferring from Milan. Johnson should be able to contend for most rushing yards among RBs, throughout the state, this season. He’s explosive and determined.

Elijah Dotson, Belleville - Standing 6-2, Dotson already has elite defensive back measurables. A four-star recruit nationally, Dotson will play college ball at Pittsburgh. He’s also a four-time AAU Junior Olympian in track, proving he has the height and speed to stick with any wide receiver thrown at him. He can also impact the game at receiver and on special teams.

Jace Clarizio, East Lansing - A three-star recruit nationally, Clarizio is an athletic running back headed to Michigan State next year. Fans of Clarizio must be thrilled he’s staying in town for college. Clarizio’s recruitment took off after he amassed 1,335 yards and 18 touchdowns during his junior season in 2023. He’s ranked as the No. 11 overall recruit in Michigan’s 2024 class.

Avery Gach, Birmingham Groves - Headed to Ann Arbor and the new regime at Michigan, Gach, a four-star national recruit, might be the best overall offensive lineman in the state. He had over 40 Division 1 offers, and became the first Groves athlete to announce his college decision live on national television. At 6-5, 300 pounds, Gach is pretty close to already having an NFL frame.

Kamren Flowers, West Bloomfield - Considered an all-purpose back or slot receiver because he’s equally adept at catching the ball as he is running. Flowers is an explosive athlete with game-changing abilities. The Toledo commit is listed as a four-star recruit on multiple sites. According to the Athletic, Toledo might have been helped landing Flowers by recent first-round pick and Rockets alumni Quinyon Mitchell.

Brady Hamby, Macomb Dakota - The rising senior was named first-team all-state in Division 1 last season, and he’s also an all-state wrestler. Hamby can play running back or quarterback on offense, although his height (6-0) suggests he will be more of a RB or linebacker at the next level. Headed to Ferris State’s dominant program, Hamby will look to add to his resume this fall.

Alex Graham, Cass Tech - Another four-star recruit in Cass Tech’s secondary, Graham pulled a prank on Michigan by originally picking up a Wolverines hat during his televised decision day to ultimately pull a Colorado flag out of the hat. He will suit up for Deion Sanders in Boulder next fall as one of the most respected and highly-rated DBs in the country.

Adrian Walker, Belleville - The third Belleville player on the list, Walker is a four-star recruit listed as ATH because he can do a little bit of everything offensively. He also plays S on defense. The 5-10, 180 pound Walker excels on both sides of the ball by using his speed and quickness to beat his opponents. Walker made one of last season’s plays of the year by completing a behind-the-back interception in the state finals.

Desmond Straughton, Roseville - Straughton rarely leaves the field as an impact RB, safety and kick returner. He’s listed as a three-star recruit nationally, who has committed to play at Illinois for his college ball. Straughton received offers from several Power Four programs, including Michigan State, Purdue, Minnesota, Arizona State and West Virginia.

Zay Wright, Gibraltar Carlson - A three-star junior prospect, Wright has been racking up D1 college offers as one of the best running backs in the state. Wright racked up over 2,100 yards and added 31 touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. His recruiting profile is likely to rise with another dominant season, which could also improve his overall national ranking.