Who made the 'Elite 8' - the Enquirer's high school football 'Players to Watch' for 2025?

BATTLE CREEK, MI — They stand out on Friday nights. They catch your eye, even if you were looking someplace else. They are the Enquirer's 'Players to Watch.'

In past seasons, they have led their teams to victories, dominated at their positions, or maybe, put up record numbers in yards and points. And they are the players we hear are getting noticed by college scouts as some of the best recruits in the region, if not the state.

They are the Battle Creek Enquirer's Elite 8.

MORE:2025 Battle Creek-area High School Football Schedules

It is a tough list to make. But as we kick off the 2025 high school football season, which starts with games this week, this is who we consider the top 'Players to Watch' from teams in the city and the area.

The Enquirer's Elite 8 (in alphabetical order):

Jaymere Boykins

School: Lakeview

Why He Is On Our List? One of the strongest players on the Lakeview team, Jaymere Boykins plays both offensive and defensive line for the Spartans. A workout warrior, Boykins squats over 400 pounds, deadlifts over 500 and bench presses 325 pounds. Boykins was an all-city selection a year ago. He says his biggest improvement in the offseason has been his technique and has shown a talent to put pressure on the quarterback. He is gtting looks and being recruited at the Division II and Division III level. Boykins is hoping a fast start to his senior year will open some doors at the Division I level.

What Is The Buzz? "I'm hoping to put some good stuff up on tape in the first few games and some of those Division I coaches will notice. I am a very violent person on the football field and have a lot of strengths when it comes to being a football player. I feel like I have done everything right to give myself a chance to have a great year," Boykins said.

Cameron Converse

School: Harper Creek

Why He Is On Our List? Already with five offers from Division III schools (Calvin, Adrian, Hope, Lawrence Tech and Alma), Cameron Converse is hoping to get more, and bigger, schools interested in him in the first few weeks of the season. A returning all-city and all-conference linebacker for a league championship team, Converse was second on the team in tackles a year ago. With good size at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Converse plays downhill as a linebacker. He will also line up at running back and give the Beavers some thump between the tackles.

What Is The Buzz? "College coaches talk to me about how they like my film from last year. They like my speed at the linebacker spot and like how I move. I have some D-2 schools that want me to send my film once we start playing games. I am a big physical linebacker who can hit and I'm not afraid to take on the big offensive lineman. Can also read offenses well and diagnose plays early," Converse said.

Dracyn Foster

School: Coldwater

Why He Is On Our List? Cardinals coach Jeff Schorfhaar has always had a run first and run second offense. Coldwater has opened up its offense in recent seasons to become more of a passing team and the talents of Dracyn Foster are a big reason why. As a sophomore last year, Foster had a big year as his first as a starter with 1,540 yards throwing with a school-record 18 touchdown passes. He earned all-league honors in the Interstate 8 Conference

What Is The Buzz? "The best comment that could be made is that he had the ability to make a coach who only ran the ball and changed him to throwing the ball most of the time. I believe that Dracyn has great potential.  His understanding of the game is incredible.  One of Dracyn strong points is his ability to read a defense and make great decisions. Then you take in his arm strength and accuracy and you have a great QB," Schorfhaar.

Brogan Lightfoot

School: St. Philip

Why He Is On Our List? Brogan Lightfoot flashed on the scene last year as a sophomore due to injuries with the St. Philip skilled position players. With good speed and athletic ability, Lightfoot ended up playing where needed and made an impact with over 600 yards of total offense, playing in the 8-player division and earning all-city honors. Adding some size for his junior year and keeping his speed, Lightfoot will be the key to the Tigers spread offense and will be looking to open some eyes of some college scouts along the way.

What Is The Buzz? "Getting a chance to play last year was big. After we had those injuries, I ended up playing every play in every single game from then on because we needed it. I have some speed, but I like setting the tone more. I like trucking people, like running over people when I get the chance," Lightfoot said.

Gavin May

School: Pennfield

Why He Is On Our List? With the kind of speed, size and body frame that college scouts want, Gavin May has been the focus of college scouts for the past year. Going to camps, May received several college offers, including a Division I scholarship from Eastern Michigan. May sees a better fit for him at Saginaw Valley State University and has verbally committed to that school. As a physical linebacker, at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, May is the focus of the Pennfield defensive scheme and was an all-city and all-league player a year ago.

What Is The Buzz? "Recruiting has been a long process. I feel like Saginaw has been really great to me. They are a great place for development. They had a linebacker that had a tryout in the NFL this summer. Had another linebacker transfer to Oklahoma State and got paid to play football. So it's a great option," May said.

Akin Olapade

School: Marshall

Why He Is On Our List? A big, physical running back with good speed, Akin Olapade had over 1,000 yards rushing with a 5.2 yards per carry average and eight touchdowns last year and is set for a big senior season. Showcasing talents at running back and linebacker, Olapade has been recruited by most of the Division III schools in the region as well as a handful of Division II. Olapade has a scholarship offer from Division II Northwood University and is close to making an commitment.

What Is The Buzz? "I would say I am a unique running back, where I am fast for my size. College coaches like my size and the fact I can do what I do. I am looking to be more consistent. I have a big goal of breaking 2,000 yards, but if not, of course 1,500 for sure. I had nearly that much in all-purpose yards so if I give it my all and stay consistent I can get there," Olapade said.

Jonah Ranes

School: Galesburg-Augusta

Why He Is On Our List? Galesburg-Augusta might have only been 3-6 last year, but that couldn't hide the fact that Jonah Ranes is a budding star on both sides of the ball. Ranes shined at running back and linebacker. Ranes led the team with 552 yards rushing and six touchdowns from his running back spot. At linebacker, the 6-foot, 185-pound junior had a team high 96 tackles as he earned all-league honors in the SAC Valley Division.

What Is The Buzz? Galesburg-Augusta has great depth in the backfield with Ranes, fellow senior Justin Martin and Giovanni Evans. Martin might have had some of the carries Ranes received a year ago if he hadn't been injured in the first game of the season. Ranes took advantage of the opportunity in 2024 with an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. "Teams will no longer be able to key on (Ranes) which will make him even that much more effective for us," G-A head coach Chuck Hadley said.

Camari Williams

School: Battle Creek Central

Why He Is On Our List? Senior Camari Williams is an impressive athlete as the biggest player in the region at 6-foot-3 and over 400 pounds. With great feet for his size and one of the strongest players on the field anytime he plays, Williams is a rising college football prospect. He is being recruited at the Division II and Division III level, with Division I coaches ready to pounce if he loses a bit of weight. An all-city and all-league pick a year ago, Williams is a leader on a young Battle Creek Central team. Playing both sides of the ball, Williams is almost unblockable one-on-one as a defensive tackle and hard to get around when he is on the offensive line.

What Is The Buzz? "I can't be blocked one-on-one. I feel like I can't be stopped. I get frustrated sometimes when I am double-teamed. But when that happens, I know my teammates will step up. My size, my speed and my strength, good hands and good hips. It is all there," Williams said.

Contact Bill Broderick at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Key players to watch for high school football in Battle Creek area