State Contender Profile: Oak Park Knights

<b>Head Coach: </b>Greg Carter <b>Division:</b> 2 <strong>Conference:</strong> Oakland Activities Association – White <strong>2019 Overall Record: </strong>8-2 <strong>Returning Key Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="29543" first="Rayshaun" last="Benny"] | OL | 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="29562" first="Davion" last="Primm"] | RB | 2021 <em>(Committed to Michigan State)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="29564" first="Jaylin" last="Mines"] | DB | 2021 <em>(Committed to Toledo)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="29567" first="Marlon" last="Dawson"] | LB | 2021 <i>[Committed to Miami (OH)]</i> [player_tooltip player_id="29607" first="Naahlyee" last="Bryant"] | LB | 2021 <em>(Committed to Western Michigan)</em> [player_tooltip player_id="30154" first="Glenie" last="Cross"] | DB | 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="29916" first="K’von" last="Dixon"] | OL/DL | 2021 Charles Gillespie | DB | 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="30281" first="Jaylin" last="Stephens"] | DL | 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="29830" first="Ky’Shaun" last="Jackson"] | WR | 2021 <b>Analysis:</b> The Knights suffered a crushing loss to Farmington in the playoff opener and will look to redeem themselves in 2020. James Burnley is the man behind center and he will be surrounded by top tier talent. [player_tooltip player_id="29562" first="Davion" last="Primm"] is one of the best running backs in the state in the 2021 cycle and transfer receiver [player_tooltip player_id="29830" first="Ky’Shaun" last="Jackson"] is an underrated player that could make some noise this season. Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="29543" first="Rayshaun" last="Benny"] remains one of the top uncommitted players in the state and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="29916" first="K’von" last="Dixon"] is a stud on both sides of the ball. On defense, Oak Park returns one of the top units in the state. The front seven features plenty of elite talents, such as senior linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="29567" first="Marlon" last="Dawson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="29607" first="Naahlyee" last="Bryant"] and junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="30281" first="Jaylin" last="Stephens"] could be a fast riser on college recruiting boards. The secondary is oozing with talent and it all starts with senior standout [player_tooltip player_id="29564" first="Jaylin" last="Mines"]. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="30154" first="Glenie" last="Cross"] and Charles Gillespie are among the notable names in the back seven, but keep an eye on Dameyon Lynaum and Emanual Hall who could have breakout senior seasons. Despite a disappointing finish to their season in 2019, I fully expect this team to bounce back due to the amount of talent they have returning on their roster. Don’t be surprised to see the Knights in the state finals this season.