2024 Rankings: Early headliners for another talented class
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Louisiana is on the verge of two of its most anticipated recruiting classes in recent memory in 2022 and 2023. The rising seniors’ talent and depth has been compared to some of the state’s best cohorts, and a historically impressive…
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Continue ReadingLouisiana is on the verge of two of its most anticipated recruiting classes in recent memory in 2022 and 2023.
The rising seniors’ talent and depth has been compared to some of the state’s best cohorts, and a historically impressive quarterback group headlines a group of rising juniors starting to garner some similar consideration.
And a few standout freshman performances — even earning several Power Five offers — have 2024 showing early potential as being similarly highly regarded in the coming years.
Here’s some more information on 10 of the first names to know among the rising sophomores.
Daniel Beale Daniel Beale 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Catholic (Baton Rouge) | 2024 State LA — 6-1, 180 QB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)
“Baby Beale” was unexpectedly tossed into action against reigning Class 5A champion Acadiana — who went on to repeat — just two weeks after being elevated to the varsity roster. And the freshman performed admirably in place of injured senior Landon O’Connor to help lead to Bears to the Division I title and pique the interest of coaches and fans around Louisiana as one of the state’s top prospects to watch in his class.
Cullen Charles Cullen Charles 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH St. Martinville | 2024 State LA — 6-0, 180 ATH — St. Martinville
The athletic young pass-catcher already possesses good size and speed for his age and a track record that includes clutch, physical game-winning receptions on both the high school and 7-vs-7 fields. Charles is drawing some early consideration as arguably Louisiana’s top offensive skill player in the class.
Wallace Foster IV Wallace Foster IV 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Warren Easton | 2024 State LA IV — 5-11, 160 DB — Warren Easton
Foster has grown up alongside talented older defensive backs in the city, such as Easton predecessors Chester Kimbrough (transferring from Florida to Michigan State) and Ronald “Champ” Lewis (a rising senior) and Edna Karr standouts Jamie Vance (now at Louisville), Ryan Robinson Jr. Ryan Robinson Jr. 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Edna Karr | 2023 State LA and Michael Richard Michael Richard 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Edna Karr | 2023 State LA (rising juniors). And the confidence the energetic, athletic young cornerback has gained from his years of competition with older athletes shows in his constant confidence and aggressive and physical play.
Aubrey Hermes Aubrey Hermes 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA — 6-2, 165 WR — Calvary Baptist
Alongside the gaudy numbers racked up by seniors Jordan Wallace and Joseph Wilson Joseph Wilson 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH Calvary Baptist | 2021 State LA — more than 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns in a shortened season — a freshman arose as junior quarterback Landry Lyddy Landry Lyddy 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Calvary Baptist | 2022 State LA ’s third-most productive receiver. Hermes caught 10 passes for 316 yards (31.6 yards per catch) and three touchdowns in four of the Cavaliers’ last six games, including three receptions for 89 yards and a score in the Division IV state championship game.
Lavorziesa Houston Lavorziesa Houston 6'2" | 190 lbs | LB Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA — 6-3, 190 DL — Calvary Baptist
The Cavaliers have a slew of talented young underclassmen coming up behind Wallace, Wilson, Landry and company. And the early leading candidate to be the highest-profile college prospect is the big defensive end. “Tre” showed up and showed out at a showcase event this March among the top overall performers despite being one of the youngest linemen in a talented group headlined by rising seniors such as Enyce Sledge Enyce Sledge 6'4" | 300 lbs | DL Neville | 2022 State LA , Kaden Moreau Kaden Moreau 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Pineville | 2022 State LA and Ethan Clark Ethan Clark 6'4" | 285 lbs | OL Pineville | 2022 State LA .
Jaylin Johnson Jaylin Johnson 6'2" | 165 lbs | ATH Alexandria | 2024 State LA — 6-2, 165 DB — Alexandria
Mississippi State became the first program to extend a scholarship to the young Alexandria defensive back, who is the early headliner of the 2024 class on a still-talented Trojans roster. Johnson and 2023 prospect Chris Clark Chris Clark 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB Alexandria | 2023 State LA give coach Thomas Bachman and company one of the state’s best young DB duos for the next two years.
Ju’Juan Johnson Ju’Juan Johnson 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA — 5-10, 175 QB — Lafayette Christian
Another freshman quarterback thrown into action earlier than expected, Johnson was forced to take the field in the first quarter of the season when the Knights’ senior quarterback was injured against — coincidentally — Acadiana. He continued to play throughout the season — even earning some series once Ryan Roberts’ eventually returned — en route to a Division III state championship.
Keidrick Richardson Keidrick Richardson 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB De La Salle | 2024 State LA — 5-11, 220 LB — De La Salle
Richardson was Louisiana’s first 2024 prospect to start earning college attention with an LSU offer even before his freshman season after coach Ed Orgeron and the Tigers’ staff got a glimpse of the big linebacker’s physicality, quickness and fluidity in space. Nicknamed “Paw Paw” for his laid-back “old-soul” personality, he has been working from a young age with older players on his techniques to an extent beyond many of his cohorts.
Tylen Singleton Tylen Singleton 6'1" | 210 lbs | DB Many | 2024 State LA — 6-1, 180 DB — Many
Another freshman called on to play a notable role for a state championship team, Singleton actually earned Outstanding Player honors for his Tigers after sealing the Class 2A crown with a late pick-six. The long frame, track speed, athleticism and ball skills are there — enough so that Mississippi State and Arkansas both extended early offers this spring — and his offseason work with his coaches and teammates to continue to add muscle and become more consistent in his angles and technique could position him for an even more breakout sophomore campaign.
Kyle Williams Kyle Williams 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Northshore | 2024 State LA — 5-10, 165 DB — Northshore
The long, physical cornerback may be the most under-the-radar prospect on this list, but has also shown flashes of potential that could earn him a position among the most highly regarded players in the class sooner than later. He finished his freshman year seeing noteworthy 7-vs-7 action with the Louisiana Bootleggers’ New Orleans area regional team and often proving himself among the top performers on the field.