Changing Places: Notable 2021 prospects at new schools

A few of Louisiana’s top seniors will complete their high school careers in a different uniform this fall — including some intriguing prospects to have moved from out of state. Here are nine such players to keep an eye on. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63555" first="Malik" last="Nabers"] — 6-0, 179 WR — Southside</strong> Previously: Comeaux Southside’s new 6-foot, 179-pound wide receiver is the unquestionably headliner of Louisiana’s list of notable transfer players. Interestingly, Nabers will be a part of the fourth-year school’s first graduating class, along with standout quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="63658" first="Dillon" last="Monette"] and a talented Sharks offense. And that duo, athlete [player_tooltip player_id="63634" first="Jack" last="Pruitt"] and the rest of the team would all stand to reap the benefits. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63584" first="Eric" last="Randall III"] — 6-1, 183 DB —Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)</strong> Previously: Baker Eric Randall Jr. stepping down from his role as head coach at Baker set wheels in motion for a Baton Rouge area coaching carousel earlier this offseason. The former Southern University quarterback’s move across Baton Rouge also meant [player_tooltip player_id="63584" first="Eric" last="Randall III"] would join uncle March Randall, the former LSU quarterback, at Woodlawn. The transfer moves “E3” from a competitive Class 3A district to an even more difficult Class 5A group for a senior year that could provide the Memphis commitment some of the biggest tests of his career and help him grow in the process. [caption id="attachment_61404" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-61404" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/BB1_0830-300x197.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="63591" first="Braelon" last="Hobson"] Scotlandville" width="300" height="197" /> Photo by Beau Brune[/caption] <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63591" first="Braelon" last="Hobson"] — 6-3, 224 DE — Scotlandville</strong> Previously: Catholic (Baton Rouge) The 6-foot-3, 224-pound pass-rusher was among the top players on a stingy defense for a Catholic (Baton Rouge) team that nearly upset a loaded Archbishop Rummel for the Division I state championship. And Hobson focused early this year on improving his coverage skills to better round out his game. Leaving a defense with as many other playmakers as the Bears’ has the potential to present challenges. But the Scotlandville defense Hobson joins has its share of talent, too, led by Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id="63572" first="Jah’Von" last="Grigsby"] and McNeese State commits [player_tooltip player_id="63622" first="Bryce" last="Cage"] and [player_tooltip player_id="63681" first="Mike" last="Brown"]. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63617" first="Thaos" last="Figaro"] —6-2, 220 DE — Lafayette</strong> Previously: Acadiana Cedric Figaro’s acceptance of the head coaching position at alma mater Lafayette means son [player_tooltip player_id="63617" first="Thaos" last="Figaro"] will also leave Acadiana to play his final high school season with the Mighty Lions instead of the Wreckin’ Rams. Similarly to Hobson, the younger Figaro leaves one of Louisiana’s top defensive units. But he’ll play his senior year under an experienced coach who knows his game better than anyone. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63627" first="Jackson" last="Wallace"] —5-11, 160 DB — John Curtis</strong> Previously: Holy Cross The Catholic League in New Orleans seems good for a notable transfer or two every year. And this year, a talented safety going from one loaded roster to another may be the headliner. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound defensive back with about a dozen offers leaves [player_tooltip player_id="63564" first="Barryn" last="Sorrell"], [player_tooltip player_id="63576" first="Kolbe" last="Cage"] at Holy Cross and company for [player_tooltip player_id="63629" first="Elinus" last="Noel III"], [player_tooltip player_id="63590" first="Caleb" last="Spann"], [player_tooltip player_id="63682" first="Kerry" last="McMillion"] and company at John Curtis. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63651" first="Elijah" last="Clyde"] — 6-1, 170 DB — West Feliciana</strong> Previously: Silliman The 6-foot-1, 170-pound defense back may have been among the better-kept secrets in Louisiana’s 2021 class playing for a small private school that participates in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools league. But he brings his 4.5-second 40-yard dash and penchant for physicality to West Feliciana this year in Class 3A of the LHSAA. The Saints have a recent track record for producing Division-I talent, including Jazz and Jay Ferguson, Davon “Smoke” Harris, Derius Davis and Derek Turner II and a new head coach with GA experience on a Power-5 staff. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63663" first="Aavion" last="Pierce"] — 6-4, 185 ATH — Terrebonne</strong> Previously: Ridge Community (Davenport, Fla.) A few colleges are waiting to what this Western Michigan and Tennessee State brings to Louisiana his senior season after moving from Florida. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound athlete joins highly touted defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="63549" first="Maason" last="Smith"] and a strong Terrebonne roster hoping to make a historic push. So the circumstances could certainly present the long, wiry receiver and defensive back an opportunity to quickly catch some recruiting attention.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63704" first="Brodie" last="Reich"] — 6-5, 320 OL — Zachary</strong> Previously: Brusly The big 6-foot-5, 320-pound transfer from Brusly is a big part of Zachary’s rare preseason confidence for its offensive line that makes the perennial power a scary contender in Class 5A. Even the best Broncos teams in recent years have entered seasons somewhat shaky up front early before hitting their stride midseason and never looking back. If this year’s group is that much stronger in the trenches, opponents could be in trouble all fall. And the move provides Reich an opportunity to prove himself at Louisiana’s highest high school level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63706" first="Jackson" last="Demouy"] — 6-2, 187 DB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)</strong> Previously: Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) Another 2021 prospect will graduate from his father’s alma mater as former Catholic and LSU baseball pitcher Chris Demouy and his family move back to Baton Rouge from the Dallas area. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound safety will bring some length to a smaller, but fast and physical Bears secondary led by Army commitment [player_tooltip player_id="63608" first="Michael" last="Cerniauskas"].<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>