Louisiana 2022 Rankings: Top stock risers entering senior season

The constantly referenced "unprecedented times" of a locked-down 2020 — which continue to linger — set the stage for a Summer of 2021 ripe for recruiting shake-up. Nearly 15 months of NCAA dead period finally ended June 1, and high school athletes hit the road hard to make up for the lost time and opportunities of no in-person recruiting, abridged and fluid fall seasons and a scaled-down spring. And Louisiana’s prospect rankings fittingly reflect those circumstances. More than a quarter of the top 100 athletes in the spring release of the 2022 list climbed into higher positioning — 26 in all, with some leaps more substantial than others. Check out some more information below on highest-riser on the list, who made a major move within the top-10, as well as the 11 prospects to make double-digit jumps. A few other standouts — such as Neville defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="136580" first="Enyce" last="Sledge"] and Ouachita Christian receiver [player_tooltip player_id="136514" first="Tristan" last="Wiley"] (nine spots each), Terrebonne speedster [player_tooltip player_id="136484" first="Jaylin" last="Lucas"] (eight spots), Ponchatoula pass-catcher [player_tooltip player_id="128246" first="Kody" last="Finley"] (six spots) — came close to that distinction. But we had to draw a line somewhere for this list, and 10 spots felt like a fair place to do so. Notably, another 10 that had been on the outside of that list looking in have burst through and in most cases clearly solidified their standing. Check out the newly minted top-100 members here. And make sure to visit the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/louisiana/rankings/2022-rankings/">complete preseason rankings update</a>, which expanded the list of ranked prospects from 100 to 300. <strong>No. 4 — [player_tooltip player_id="136573" first="Quency" last="Wiggins"] — 6-7, 270 — Madison Prep</strong> The freak athlete on the Chargers’ defensive front is the lone player on this list to not make the aforementioned 10-spot leap, but perhaps only because his No. 9 ranking in the spring wouldn’t allow. Wiggins inarguably continued his 15-month skyrocket up the recruiting ladder, including one of the summer’s most dominant camp showings at LSU in June. The Madison Prep star joins Ponchatoula athlete [player_tooltip player_id="136477" first="Jacoby" last="Mathews"], Neville offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="136546" first="Will" last="Campbell"] and St. Thomas More quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="127700" first="Walker" last="Howard"] in the state’s top tier of 2022 prospects and could fairly have a case for the top position overall. Wiggins is still sorting through his top college options, including LSU, Alabama, Texas and Florida. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FdzAaJylG-Q" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>No. 25 — [player_tooltip player_id="136581" first="Fitzgerald" last="West"] Jr. — 6-2, 300 OL — Lafayette Christian</strong> The other top performer at that same early-June camp in Baton Rouge rolled through an impressive month of not only agile, spinning pass-rush displays, but also some of his best and most extensive showings of his potential as an offensive lineman. And a string of offers, including the Tigers and Alabama, followed as a result. The Knights’ big athlete ultimately committed to coach Ed Orgeron and the home-state program July 10 as a center, and his embracing of that role and that versatility overall after some early hesitance helped spark a noteworthy leap up from No. 41 as a defensive tackle to No. 25 as an interior offensive lineman. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a3PJBMTMmRQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>No. 26 — [player_tooltip player_id="136481" first="Amorion" last="Walker"] — 6-3, 180 ATH — Ponchatoula</strong> At the next spot in this rankings update, Walker’s offseason somewhat mirrored the big man in front of him at least in so much as a new level of recruitment, including LSU and Alabama offers arriving in June, is concerned. Additionally, the long Ponchatoula athlete’s positional outlook bears some intrigue as, upon his return from some minor injury and illness hurdles, he began consistently showcasing his potential as a high-level defensive back — at least so well as the ability at wide receiver that had initially caught several Power Five eyes. That versatility, paired with a verified 4.41-second 40-yard dash improving from his 4.56 in the winter, fueled a jump from No. 39 to No. 26 and increased the challenge of Notre Dame holding off its new SEC contenders for Walker’s eventual signature. <strong>No. 30 — [player_tooltip player_id="136633" first="Ronald" last="Lewis"] III — 6-2, 175 DB — Warren Easton</strong> After hovering near the middle of the top 100 at No. 55 in the spring update, the Eagles’ ball-hawk moved clearly from the gray area between predominantly Power Five and Group of Five recruits more firmly into the mix of the state’s higher-profile prospects. He backed up his consistent confidence in his versatility as not just a back-end center-field safety, but someone that can be a reliable man cover in the slot. And college coaches pointed to "Champ" as one of the state’s prospects that could take the biggest leap at the next level, too, once a high-level strength and conditioning program gets a hold of his long, still-lean frame. He committed in early June to Colorado before flipping this month to Texas. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fh-nVj2nQ-A" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>No. 42 — [player_tooltip player_id="136635" first="Ja’dais" last="Richard"] — 6-1, 185 — West Monroe</strong> Strong summers for multiple Rebels’ defensive backs bolstered their potential as one of Louisiana’s top secondaries this fall. And the big jump this time around belongs to the versatile safety in Richard, who moved from No. 58 to No. 42. He hit the camp circuit hard and effectively — testing well, including a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, and showing his ability to cover the back end or one-on-one and make well-timed breaks, leaps and overall plays on balls thrown anywhere remotely in his direction. The standout safety prospect quickly climbed up boards such as LSU’s and TCU’s, including an offer from and commitment to the Horned Frogs, and makes similar moves in the Louisiana rankings entering senior season. <strong>No. 52 — [player_tooltip player_id="136512" first="Charles" last="Robertson"] — 6-3, 180 WR — Zachary </strong> A 4.5-second 40-yard dash was big for the Broncos’ top receiver, who added the verified speed to a profile that already included a big, physical body and mentality in beating his way through jams and tight coverage. Robertson was a highlight reel throughout his school’s summer 7-on-7 matchups and appears poised for more of the same this fall with rising junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="138485" first="Eli" last="Holstein"]. Robertson’s nice run came in Lafayette, where the Cajuns turned up the recruiting pursuit and garnered a commitment in early August. His rising confidence could make him all the more dangerous of a threat both this season and beyond. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7IpeOD3BnO0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>No. 55 — [player_tooltip player_id="136795" first="Anthony" last="Allen"] — 6-0, 185 RB — Neville</strong> College coaches recognizing the explosiveness of the Tigers’ lead running back felt like only a matter of time this spring, and TCU became the Power Five to make the move this summer — and ultimately earn Allen’s commitment soon thereafter. Perennial power Neville always boasts an effective ground game, regardless of which styles of backs might come through in a given year, and Allen looks to be one of the more prototypical next-level backs to come through in recent years with his 6-foot, 185-pound body and good burst and speed. <strong>No. 65 — [player_tooltip player_id="136487" first="Javonnie" last="Gibson"] — 6-3, 205 ATH — Opelousas</strong> The Tigers’ star entered the offseason narrowly inside the top 100 at a No. 95 that was somewhat of a place-holder to see where his physical development and positional projection stood as he finally got the opportunity to visit college coaches. And Gibson looked good — with good enough speed, quickness and ball skills to be among the top receivers on the outside at LSU’s first camp of June at a size that would already allow him to fit quickly into many Division-I tight end rooms. So, rather than potentially falling through the cracks as a tweener too small to play tight end or not fast and skilled enough to play wide receiver, Gibson is increasingly looking like a true versatile or hybrid athlete capable of making an impact in either role. He makes the largest jump of anyone on this list, and his climb may not be finished. <strong>No. 75 — [player_tooltip player_id="136641" first="Justin" last="Collins"] — 6-2, 195 — University Lab</strong> The younger brother of NFL safety Landon Collins began the process of taking on his awaited bigger role for the Cubs’ defense this spring and summer and looked good in the process. The long, rangy athlete moved well in space in 7-on-7, covering ground and snatching interceptions for a U-High defense that should prove extremely stingy this fall. McNeese State extended a scholarship offer, and a few more schools have starter to pay closer attention. Collins flashed enough potential this summer to climb 14 spots from No. 89 to No. 75 and will have the opportunity to further solidify his standing this fall. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VvnUGFpazIk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>No. 76 — [player_tooltip player_id="136515" first="Kendrick" last="Rucker"] — 6-5, 195 WR — Huntington</strong> The big pass-catcher was probably one of the less-known names in the top 100 coming out of the spring — when he slotted in at No. 90 — but one of the best-kept secrets in northwest Louisiana has started to make its way out to colleges, including nearby Louisiana Tech who offered and drew his commitment this summer. Rucker is still developing his craft, but possesses good speed for his height, good ball skills and a willingness to block, take coaching and generally do whatever he needs to for him and his team to succeed. The Bulldogs foresee him being able to quickly and smoothly bulk up to 230 pounds in a college strength program without sacrificing his mobility, and he could prove to be an athletic mismatch of a weapon at tight end and a steal in this class in the process. <strong>No. 80 — [player_tooltip player_id="136558" first="Greg" last="Knox"] — 6-5, 270 OL — Peabody</strong> The big Warhorse standout earned the respect of all the in-state programs on hand for LSU’s lineman camp the first weekend of June where he moved his name from a possible FCS prospect still hoping to earn some opportunities at that level to having offers from Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Southern, Grambling State, Texas Southern and FBS ULM and not being all that far down the list for the Tigers and other FBS programs who will take a closer look this fall in pads. Knox moved from No. 98 up to No. 80, near the top of the third tier of his position group. <strong>No. 83 — [player_tooltip player_id="136781" first="Trent" last="Murphy"] — 6-4, 260 OL — Southern</strong> The storyline for Murphy, who moves from No. 100 to No. 83 resembles that of Knox, only with his surge of offers just starting in August with McNeese State and Southern after a good showing at TCU. His Tigers coaches feel, based on the increased attention they’ve seen from colleges during the past month, that Cowboys and Jaguars could only be the beginning as Murphy enters his senior season with more eyes on him than ever before.