When a small-town athlete makes it to the highest level of professional sports, the story is never just about the player—it’s about the people, places, and moments that shaped their journey. For Gunnar Oakes, a 2017 graduate of Swanton High School, signing with the Detroit Lions isn’t just a career milestone, it’s a testament to years of grit, perseverance, and the unwavering support of his community. It’s a story that began on local football fields, fueled by early dreams and defined by the countless hours of work that often go unseen by the casual observer. Now, those dreams have taken him from Friday night lights in Ohio to the bright stage of the NFL.
Growing up in Swanton, Oakes was known not only for his athletic abilities but also for his dedication and leadership on and off the field. He wasn’t just another kid with a helmet and pads—he was the kind of player who would stay after practice to work on his routes, fine-tune his footwork, or squeeze in extra reps in the weight room. Coaches recall his competitive spirit, his willingness to learn, and his quiet confidence that seemed to say he was destined for something greater. That mix of natural ability and relentless work ethic made him stand out early on, catching the attention of high school football fans and scouts alike.
At Swanton High School, Oakes was a multi-sport athlete, but football always seemed to be his first love. He excelled as a tight end, blending size, speed, and reliable hands into a weapon that could be counted on in big moments. Under Friday night lights, he made the kinds of catches that electrified the crowd and swung the momentum of games. His performances didn’t just earn him accolades—they inspired younger athletes in the community who began to see that dreams of playing at the next level were within reach for kids from their small town.
After high school, Oakes continued his football journey at Eastern Michigan University, where the competition was fiercer, the training more intense, and the demands on his time and body greater than ever before. For many players making the leap from high school to Division I football, the adjustment can be overwhelming. But Oakes took it in stride. He adapted, improved, and found his place among athletes from all over the country. His size, athleticism, and commitment to mastering the nuances of the tight end position made him a valuable asset to the team. More importantly, he embraced the grind—early mornings in the weight room, long film sessions, and the never-ending cycle of practice and recovery that defines a college football player’s life.
During his time at EMU, Oakes showcased his versatility. He became known as a reliable blocker in the run game and a dependable target in the passing game. His coaches often praised his football IQ, his ability to read defenses, and his discipline in executing plays exactly as designed. Each season brought growth, and while his college career had its share of challenges—including injuries and stiff competition for playing time—he never wavered in his determination. Those who followed his career closely could see that he was building the kind of foundation that NFL teams value: a mix of athletic talent, mental toughness, and a team-first mentality.
The road to the NFL is notoriously unpredictable, especially for players who don’t come from powerhouse programs or make headlines every week. It requires not just skill, but also timing, resilience, and the ability to seize opportunities when they appear. For Oakes, that opportunity came when the Detroit Lions saw something in his game worth investing in. Signing with an NFL team is the culmination of years of hard work, but it’s also just the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter that will demand even more from him than any before.
For the people of Swanton, seeing one of their own reach the NFL is a moment of immense pride. In small towns, everyone knows everyone, and Oakes’ success feels personal to so many. Former coaches beam with pride, classmates share memories, and younger athletes see in him a living example that big dreams can start in small places. It’s not just about football—it’s about the hope and inspiration his story brings.
Joining the Lions comes at an exciting time for the franchise. Detroit has been building momentum, assembling a roster of hungry, talented players ready to push for success. For Oakes, it’s an opportunity to learn from some of the league’s best coaches, compete against elite defenders, and carve out a role for himself on a team that values toughness and heart. The transition from college to the NFL will be demanding—faster game speed, more complex playbooks, and constant competition—but those who know him have no doubt he’ll meet the challenge head-on.
The signing also underscores a reality in professional sports: every player in the NFL has a story, and many of them are rooted in communities that nurtured their talent long before the national spotlight found them. Swanton was more than just the place where Oakes grew up; it was his training ground, his support system, and his proving ground. From the youth leagues to high school championships, from early morning lifts to late-night study sessions balancing academics and athletics, every step brought him closer to this moment.
Now, as he steps onto the field wearing the Lions’ iconic colors, Oakes carries more than just his own ambitions. He carries the pride of his hometown, the lessons from his coaches, the encouragement of his family, and the dreams of every young athlete who has ever dared to believe they could make it too. His journey is proof that success isn’t limited to those from big cities or elite programs—it belongs to those willing to put in the work, make sacrifices, and never stop believing.
In the coming months, Oakes will face the tests that all rookies face—earning the trust of his teammates, proving his value on special teams, and showing he can be counted on in critical moments. There will be long days, hard hits, and moments of doubt. But there will also be breakthroughs, lessons learned, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that every time he steps on the practice field, he’s living the dream he’s chased since his days in Swanton.
For fans in Detroit, he’s another piece of a team striving for greatness. For fans in Swanton, he’s a reminder that their small-town values—hard work, humility, and community—can resonate on the biggest stages. The road ahead won’t be easy, but then again, it never has been. That’s what makes Oakes’ journey so compelling. He’s not just chasing a roster spot; he’s chasing the opportunity to make a lasting impact, to turn the dream into a career, and to inspire others along the way.
The signing of Gunnar Oakes by the Detroit Lions isn’t just another transaction in the NFL’s endless cycle of player moves—it’s a moment that captures what sports are all about. It’s about the dreams that start on backyard fields, the coaches who invest in young players, the families who sacrifice to support those dreams, and the athletes who refuse to quit no matter how steep the climb. Oakes’ story is still being written, but the first chapters are already inspiring, and the next ones promise to be even more exciting.
In Swanton, his journey is a source of celebration, a topic of conversation in coffee shops, and a headline in the local paper. In Detroit, it’s the arrival of a new player with untapped potential and a hunger to prove himself. And for Oakes, it’s the realization of a dream years in the making, paired with the understanding that the real work—and the real fun—is just beginning.
From the quiet streets of his hometown to the roaring crowds of an NFL stadium, Gunnar Oakes has shown that with the right mix of talent, dedication, and belief, the distance from Swanton to the spotlight isn’t as far as it seems. Now, wearing the Honolulu blue of the Detroit Lions, he stands ready to take on whatever challenges the NFL throws his way—one play, one game, and one season at a time.
