Louisiana 2022 Rankings Update: Top Stock Risers in top 100

A few top prospects made one final push up Louisiana’s deep and talented 2022 class rankings with impressive senior seasons. The Boot looks poised to add one of its best classes in years to its tradition of producing high-level college and eventually NFL athletes at a per-capita rate than any other state in the country. And these 11 players were some of the most notable stock-risers within the top 100 in this round of rankings — from a pair of top-10 moves through some of the biggest leaps.   No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id="128240" first="Shazz" last="Preston"] | 6-1, 190 WR | St. James No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id="128242" first="Aaron" last="Anderson"] | 5-10, 180 WR | Edna Karr Only slight movements occurred near the top of the rankings, and a pair of Alabama signees claimed the two subtle nudges forward in top 10. Wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id="128240" first="Shazz" last="Preston"] and [player_tooltip player_id="128242" first="Aaron" last="Anderson"] had been consistent members of the headline group of Louisiana’s talented 2022 class for more than a year, but moved from No. 9 and No. 11, respectively, to No. 8 and No. 9 in the latest update. Even despite St. James and Edna Karr not boasting their best teams of the star’s impressive high school careers, Preston and Anderson were each constant playmakers and found ways to live up to their expectations among the state’s top prospects. Preston caught 73 passes for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns in an offense primarily quarterbacked by a fellow wide receiver and also returned seven kicks for 172 yards and seven punts for 70 yards and showed a special level of physicality, nastiness and leadership playing on defense as well. Anderson caught 74 balls for 926 yards and 14 touchdowns and added another five scores and 659 yards in the return game.   No. 11 [player_tooltip player_id="136479" first="Austin" last="Ausberry"] | 6-1, 205 ATH | University Lab The older of the Ausberry brothers and U-High’s senior class set the bar high for their talented younger teammates as they wrapped up their high school careers with an undefeated season and the program’s first state championship since 2018. [player_tooltip player_id="136479" first="Austin" last="Ausberry"] was primarily a lockdown corner for the Cubs’ stingy defense with most opponents opting to steer clear of his side of the field. But when opportunities did present themselves, he racked up eight pass breakups, an interception and 31 tackles — often showing his willingness to get downhill and physical in run support or blowing up screens, including three tackles for loss. He also entered a couple games for a snap or two on offense to haul in jump-balls for touchdowns when his offense needed a big play. Ausberry committed to and signed with Auburn in December.   No. 17 [player_tooltip player_id="127860" first="Dylan" last="Sampson"] | 5-10, 180 RB | Dutchtown The speedy back from just outside of Baton Rouge added one heck of a senior season to a legendary high school career by setting both the single-game and career rushing records at a school where eventual Alabama and NFL athletes Eddie Lacy and Landon Collins toted the rock. The quick-footed, track-fast did so in his own way, but still showed his ability to run through and after contact en route to 1,374 yards and 22 touchdowns in one of the state’s tougher districts before becoming Louisiana’s first player to sign with Tennessee since 2018.   No. 19 [player_tooltip player_id="186944" first="Zavion" last="Thomas"] | 5-11, 175 WR | John Ehret The Patriots’ versatile athlete opened a lot of eyes with a 4.34-second 40-yard dash as an LSU camp in June, but continued to showcase throughout the summer and fall that his skillset extended well beyond his impressive straight-line speed. The Mississippi State committed caught 37 balls for 18 touchdowns, rushed for another 779 yards and six scored, returned punts for another 379 yards and three scores and tallied 432 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air. And whether blocking for teammates, fighting through contact or making occasional tackles, not only does Thomas not shy away from the physical aspects of the game, he embraces them.   No. 20 [player_tooltip player_id="136795" first="Anthony" last="Allen"] | 6-0, 185 RB | Neville The one-time TCU commitment continued to explode up the rankings with every update throughout the past year the same way he did with any running lane this fall. Even after a strong junior season and subsequent spring, Allen somehow received minimal recruiting attention until the Horned Frogs offered in the second half of the summer. Even as he proved himself as one of the state’s handful or two of most impressive and productive performers this fall, several bigger programs began showing more interest but held off offering. But his decisions to decommit following the college program’s coaching change and to hold off on signing early have made for an interesting winter with new offers from Mississippi State, Washington and Nebraska and growing momentum with LSU and Alabama. Allen ran for physical, "NFL" yards all season against several of Louisiana’s top teams all the way to 2,134 yards and 31 touchdowns on 194 carries.   No. 22 [player_tooltip player_id="136635" first="Ja’dais" last="Richard"] | 6-1, 185 DB | West Monroe The physical, versatile defensive back wrapped up a memorable high school career with an all-state senior season of 80 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble, blocked field goal, blocked punt and some timely offensive play, including a critical catch that helped keep a first-round comeback and the season alive. The bigger, more physical of the Rebels’ two Division-I defensive back signees helped hold down and lead the secondary with teammate [player_tooltip player_id="136628" first="Rayshawn" last="Pleasant"] working primarily on offense when the team needed an explosive running back. Richard decommitted from TCU after the program’s coaching change and enjoyed a rekindled recruiting process before opting for the combination of conference stature and academic opportunity at Vanderbilt.   No. 35 [player_tooltip player_id="136484" first="Jaylin" last="Lucas"] | 5-9, 160 ATH | Edna Karr The speedy younger brother of Florida State standout Ja’Khi Douglas was forced by Hurricane Ida to transfer right before his senior season at Terrebonne and took some time to adjust to his new school and team more tailored around Anderson. But Lucas showed some flashes — and a special top gear — with his opportunities on both offense and special teams. His ability in the return game should position him to make a quick impact in that phase for Indiana, where he signed in December, but his quick feet, route-running and confident hands should also make him a versatile weapon on offense.   No. 43 [player_tooltip player_id="128247" first="Zyion" last="Claville"] | 6-3, 180 WR | Huntington The biggest question or setback for the one-time Power Five target the past two years had been injuries. But Claville stayed healthy throughout his senior season, and the results spoke for themselves. The tall, fast pass-catcher hauled in 57 passes for 954 yards and 11 touchdowns as the lead weapon for an explosive offense and a senior leader for one of the program’s top teams in recent history. Claville committed to Marshall during the season, but ultimately Louisiana Tech got a late steal in the athlete from just down Interstate 20.   No. 59 [player_tooltip player_id="136514" first="Tristan" last="Wiley"] | 6-3, 185 WR | Ouachita Christian WR The Air Force commit caught 55 passes for 1,419 yards and 22 touchdowns in an all-state senior season to cap a remarkable career second all-time in all three categories for a program with a consistently prolific offense and perennial state championship contention. Wiley’s final high school numbers were 138 catches, 2,997 yards and 35 touchdowns. With good size, 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed, three-phase toughness and physicality and great hands, the biggest question mark is just having played a Class 1A schedule of small-school opponents.   No. 67 [player_tooltip player_id="136657" first="Braydon" last="Johnson"] | 6-0, 210 RB/LB | Ponchatoula The Offensive MVP in a district that included at least two teammates headed to elite college programs, plus LSU signee [player_tooltip player_id="128245" first="Landon" last="Ibieta"] at rival Mandeville, was one of Louisiana’s top high school football players in 2021 for the state runner-up in Class 5A. And Johnson boasts plenty to like for the next level as well with big, physical frame and old-school mentality, but a burst to hit a 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range. He worked predominantly on offense, but is as good a prospect — if not better — as a linebacker where he also stepped up in big spots late in the season, including an interception return for a touchdown.