Michigan State TE commit Jayden Savoury turns in sharp performance at 7v7 Showcase

Detroit – Michigan State tight end commitment Jayden Savoury is nearly two weeks into his verbal pledge to the Spartan football program, and he played like a talented prospect focused on his craft and dedicated to his high school team and off-season development during a sharp performance on Thursday night at the Sound Mind Sound Body 7v7 High School Showcase at Wayne State University.

Scores and statistics were not tabulated at the event, but Savoury unofficially had two touchdown receptions in games against Roseville, Grand Rapids Northview and Harper Woods on Thursday.

Savoury is a three-star recruit, ranked the No. 15 player in Michigan and the No. 808 player in the country in the On3 Industry Recruiting Rankings.

He committed to Michigan State over Duke, Wisconsin, Kansas and others.

“It still feels really good,” Savoury said of his commitment to Michigan State. “I feel like the pressure is off my back, just going out here with my team, and just being one team. Instead of talking to all these college coaches, I can just lock in my team, so it’s been really good.”

What did he like about Michigan State when he committed?

“A lot,” he said. “Every time I went to Michigan State , it got better and better for me. I like the campus a lot, I like the education. In football, they use their tight ends a lot. I know Jack Velling had like eight touchdowns and like 700 yards (last year at Oregon State). That’s tight end one, of course, but I know they use their tight ends and 12 personnel a lot. Talking to Coach Woz (Brian Wozniak) and Coach (Jonathan) Smith, they are very family-oriented and good people. So I’m super excited to get there.”

THE LATEST

Savoury focused on basketball during his initial years at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, and helped the Eaglets win a basketball state championship last year. But football emerged as his best ticket to a high Division 1 scholarship offer, and he began forging that path last fall.

“Last year was my first year of playing, so going into this year, just telling myself I’m way better, just having that confidence and knowing my game is going to be good for this year,” he said. “I’m better at route running, blocking, all of that.”

Thursday night, he looked quick and increasingly strong while having defenders draped all over him. He drew pass interference flags on three occasions. Coaches told him to fight through it and extend himself to high point the ball when possible, regardless of the physicality of the defenders.

SAVOURY’S BEST MOMENT AT 7v7 SHOWCASE

On a 16-yard TD reception against Harper Woods, Savoury went against a linebacker in tight press coverage. Savoury beat him with an arm-over release move. The Harper Woods linebacker grabbed Savoury’s jersey as Savoury escaped downfield.

The linebacker continued to hold Savoury as the ball arrived, but Savoury was able to high-point it for the touchdown while drawing a penalty flag.

“The linebackers can be physical sometimes, especially at a place like this with the cameras, trying to show out,” Savoury said. “It’s a physical game, so you have to be physical on offense and defense. I played through the contact, got the ball and still caught it for a touchdown, so it’s all good.”

WHAT’S NEXT

Savoury is up to 6-6, 230 pounds. He says he played last year at about 210.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s ran a lot of two- and three-back offense last year. Savoury had plenty of opportunities to explore his blocking strengths and weaknesses. He wasn’t bad at all in that area last year, and is expecting improvement this year.

“I’ve been working on blocking drills with my tight end coach, just learning the footwork, the fundamentals and I’ve been hitting the weight room a lot this year,” he said.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is a perennial power in the Catholic League, but the Eaglets fell to a 3-6 record in 2023.

“Buying in is what will make the difference,” he said. “I think I have a big role on this team this year, being a leader. Winning a state championship last year in basketball, I know it’s a different sport, but having that same discipline and those same fundamentals, I think I can help express that to the team and telling them we all have to buy in, we all have to have one goal, which is to win a state championship. I think if we work hard and put our minds to it, we can get it.”

Jayden Savoury of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. (Photo by Jim Comparoni for SpartanMag).

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