Louisiana DBs, ATHs among top performers at LSU’s elite camp

LSU began winding down its hectic June of camps and visits with its "Rising Stars" elite prospects event. Young athletes from middle school through rising seniors showed up to campus from coast to coast on the first day of the event. But several Louisiana standouts more than held their own among the top performers. Here’s more details on six of the best. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136630" first="Jordan" last="Allen"] — 6-0, 180 DB — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> The younger teammate of 2021 LSU signee [player_tooltip player_id="63550" first="Sage" last="Ryan"], cousin of 2021 signee [player_tooltip player_id="63555" first="Malik" last="Nabers"] and close friend of 2022 commitment [player_tooltip player_id="136627" first="Laterrance" last="Welch"] put together a strong showing in his quest for the home-state Tigers to finally make their  move after recruiting him for years but not yet extending the offer. Allen had a case as the event’s top defensive back, including multiple interceptions throughout the day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136479" first="Austin" last="Ausberry"] — 6-1, 205 ATH — University Lab (2022)</strong> The ground the speedy Ausberry can cover on the back end paired with his physicality and comfort coming downhill in run support seemed to lend themselves to the rising senior landing at primarily a safety or nickel position at the next level. But he continued to show his versatility and potential anywhere in the secondary at the event, in which he consistently rotated in reps on the perimeter as well and came up with pass breakups everywhere he went. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138304" first="Kam" last="Franklin"] — 6-3, 185 DB — Oak Grove (2023)</strong> The Tigers’ camp was the first time for the program’s coaches and many others in attendance to put in-person eyes on the multisport athlete, already with an offer from the Tigers in hand, from the small school in the northeast corner of the state. And Franklin excelled in his opportunity flying around the field, matching up well physically with standouts from larger schools around the state and country and swiping at least one interception. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136480" first="Javae" last="Gilmore"] — 6-4, 190 ATH — Amite (2022)</strong> The Warriors’ star possesses a long enough frame that he has been discussed as potentially even developing into not only a tight end or linebacker, but potentially a defensive end. But Gilmore looked awfully good in 7-on-7 drills as he split out wide, smoothly cut through the secondary, hauled in a pass and then found an angle to the sideline to out-run defensive backs a long ways downfield for a score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138277" first="Khai" last="Prean"] — 6-1, 190 ATH — Ascension Catholic (2023)</strong> Another young prospect who could easily project on either side of the ball at the next level, Prean looked great working out of the slot, where he consistently ran himself open with impressive explosiveness out of his breaks and smoothly snatched in receptions from multiple quarterbacks. A few high school coaches from other teams left shocked the Tigers hadn’t offered Prean, whom they thought may have had the best day of any prospect. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138427" first="Will" last="Randle"] — 6-4, 220 TE — Newman (2023)</strong> On a day with a few notable tight ends visiting from out of state and garnered close attention from Ed Orgeron and company, one of Louisiana’s best at the position was among the few prospects to earn a scholarship offer. The teammate, classmate and notable target for [player_tooltip player_id="138484" first="Arch" last="Manning"] plays both ways for their Greenies, but figures to continue to develop as an athletic safety blanket for the 2023 quarterback and whichever passers he works with at the next level.