Prospect Watch: St. James Wildcats

As Louisiana football fans know, there has never been a shortage of football talent in the River Parishes, especially at St. James High School. Despite the distractions that 2020 has brought us all, St. James has overcome and again proven itself to be one of the top teams in the state regardless of class. Sporting an 8-2 record, the Wildcats have been on a tear following a stunning 50-28 loss to Donaldsonville at Nicholls State University. St James has bounced back in a big way since that upset loss to the Tigers under the lights at John L. Guidry Stadium, winning their last 5 games by an average of 35.8 points and allowing a stingy 6.6 points per game. In last week’s 28-7 2nd round playoff victory over Sterlington in Vacherie, the Wildcats limited the Panthers to just 149 yards of total offense and were pitching a shutout until giving up a late 4th quarter touchdown. As the fifth seeded Wildcats prepare to go on the road for their quarterfinal matchup with #4 Church Point, lets take a look at some of the top prospects from the defending 3A champions. [player_tooltip player_id="63551" first="Saivion" last="Jones"] DE - 6’5, 250 lbs, Sr. (LSU Commit) Jones, the most decorated recruit on this St. James squad, is the catalyst for Wildcat defense. Long, lean with a lot of bend off the edge, the 2019 First Team All State honoree and Louisiana Defensive MVP has racked up 69 tackles, 18 TFL, 7 sacks and an Interception so far in his final season in black and gold. He has the frame to add bulk once he gets into a college weight and conditioning program and projects as a true 4-3 weakside defensive end at the next level. Jones is a four star prospect, ranked #3 in the Prep Red Zone state rankings, and is committed to play his college football at LSU. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-63793" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/joines-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Kaleb Brown ILB - 5’9, 205 lbs, Sr. Jones may be the most disruptive and talented player on the Wildcat defense, but All State LB Kaleb Brown is the engine that makes it go. One of the most underrated college prospects in the state, the senior has recorded 80 tackles, 10 TFLs and two sacks in 2020, this after an eye popping Junior campaign that saw him rack up 124 tackles, 17 TFLs, 2 sacks and an interception. Despite being undersized at 5’9, Brown has true sideline to sideline speed and plays with a reckless abandon normally seen in more prototypical sized ILBs. A cerebral player, the coaches and administration rave about Brown both on the field and in the classroom. St. James assistant principal Shane Kliebert, a former St. James and Nicholls State player, had glowing comments about the heart and soul of St. James’ defense. "Kaleb is a model student athlete, everything you want in not just a football player, but in a person," said Kliebert. Brown currently holds offers from St. Olaf College, Wisconsin Lutheran, and Louisiana College, along with interest from several in-state FCS schools. https://twitter.com/kaleb328/status/1336818915557728267?s=20 [player_tooltip player_id="63724" first="Jaquon" last="Jones"] OT - 6’3, 270 lbs., Sr. (Southern University (LA) Commit) Jones, a Southern commit, is a technically sound offensive lineman who plays with a real mean streak. He brings aggressiveness and physicality to the run game, but where Jones really shines is in space and in pass protection where his length and athletic ability stand out. A true leader in the locker room, his coaches praise his physical presence and attitude. Jaquon is also the cousin of teammate [player_tooltip player_id="63551" first="Saivion" last="Jones"]. [player_tooltip player_id="63724" first="Jaquon" last="Jones"] is a Southern University (LA) commit. He also holds an offer from Arkansas-Monticello. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-80321" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/JJones-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Joel Cooper DB - 6’0, 185 lbs, Sr. Cooper is a long, athletic, instinctive football player who has flown under the recruiting radar. A returning all district performer for the defending champs, Cooper locks down one side of the field for the Wildcats. A true ballhawk, he is extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands, as he has 139 return yards attributed to the eight interceptions he has recorded in 2020. "I’ve never seen anything athletically that Joel can’t do," said St. James assistant coach Jonathan Baumann. Cooper has been receiving attention from several Division II programs, as well as in state FCS schools. http://www.hudl.com/v/2EjacM Shazz Preston WR - 6’1, 190 lbs, Jr. Preston, a consensus 4 star prospect, has once again shined for the Wildcats in 2020. Following up an All State sophomore season, Preston has continued his stellar play and has 47 catches for 852 yards and 9 TDs in his junior campaign. One of the top playmakers in the state, Preston draws double teams and tilts coverages his way every week and is threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands. Preston holds over 30 offers, including the likes of LSU, Alabama, Florida St., Georgia, and Texas. Alec Mahler K/P - 5’11, 190 lbs, Jr. One of the best two way kickers in the state for the last two seasons, Mahler has kicked for the Wildcats since his 8th grade year. In his last two seasons combined, Mahler has connected on 99-103 PATs (38-38 in 2020) and 14-16 FGs with a long of 45 yards. He has also become a field position weapon for Coach Robert Valdez, averaging over 40 yards per punt and putting 116/163 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Mahler recently received his first Division 1 offer from Southern University (LA). https://twitter.com/alecmahler9/status/1334613127577604098?s=20 The Wildcats go on the road this Friday night to battle the Church Point Bears in the Class 3A state quarterfinals. For more recruiting information on these prospects, contact Coach Robert Valdez on twitter @CoachRobertVal.