Louisiana 2023 Rankings Update: 12 key newcomers 50-100

A rare crop of quarterbacks has been the lead story for Louisiana’s 2023 class since maybe before [player_tooltip player_id="138484" first="Arch" last="Manning"], [player_tooltip player_id="138485" first="Eli" last="Holstein"] and company even hit campus. But as more stars continue to emerge all over fields all over the state, the cohort is beginning to show an impressive level of depth on par with its 2022 predecessors. Here were 12 key newcomers to the top 100 in this week’s rankings update — specifically between Nos. 50 and 100 — including a few prospects who cracked into the top 100 after narrowly missing that group last spring and a few who make strong debuts after their first evaluation.   No. 53 [player_tooltip player_id="275578" first="Dylan" last="Carpenter"] | 6-4, 245 DL | St. Amant The big Gators’ lineman is cat-quick firing off at the snap, putting his range of moves on opposing tackles and getting into the backfield in just a blink. Carpenter has also showcased the strength to overpower blockers on straight bull-rushes and good ability to change direction in pursuit if necessary to get back into an angle to contain quarterbacks attempting to escape. District 5-5A has consistently been among the league’s best in its highest classification level, and the St. Amant standout will be one of the most notable prospects in a talented bunch of teams in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes. Tulane and Louisiana Tech have extended his first scholarship offers, and Colorado, TCU and Mississippi State have shown interest.   No. 54 [player_tooltip player_id="275577" first="Mark" last="Mathieu"] | 6-2, 175 WR | Parkway The younger cousin of former LSU and current NFL star Tyrann Mathieu has flown under the radar in the opposite corner of the state since his family moved from the New Orleans area up to Shreveport. But the Parkway wide receiver started to open some eyes during the past few months with a series of impressive workouts and 7-on-7 tryouts and practices in which his quickness to stop, start and break free of defenders and his ability to go up over defenders and make highlight-reel catches with apparent ease immediately stood out. Mathieu will be a key sleeper to watch the rest of this year as he participates in 7-on-7 with Louisiana’s high-profile Bootleggers organization, then hits college campuses and then steps into a larger role for a Panthers’ offense replacing one of the state’s most productive seniors from the 2022 class.   No. 60 [player_tooltip player_id="138288" first="Jamaal" last="Levi"] | 5-9, 155 WR | Barbe The aptly nicknamed "Speedy" broke former Barbe star Trey Quinn’s school record with 1,601 yards and 20 touchdowns on 73 catches in 10 games. Levi posted those monster numbers with a long highlight reel of explosive plays at the Class 5A level, the state’s largest, whether blowing the top off opposing defenses with his 4.4-second 40-yard dash speed or taking screens and other short passes winding through the defense or to and up the sideline with his quick feet and agility to free space to unleash his breakaway speed. And, despite lacking prototypical size, he has also displayed an ability to use his leap, timing and strength to make plays on balls in the air in coverage against bigger defensive backs.   No. 62 [player_tooltip player_id="138473" first="Patrick" last="Martin"] Jr. | 5-11, 200 RB | De La Salle "P.J." narrowly missed the top 100 last spring after a sophomore season playing second-fiddle to eventual Louisiana (Lafayette) signee Montrell Johnson, who earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors this fall and transferred to Florida. But he stepped up and excelled in a more featured role as a junior and has started to accelerate past many of his counterparts in the state’s deep second tier of running backs following [player_tooltip player_id="138466" first="Kaleb" last="Jackson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="138467" first="Trey" last="Holly"] in 2023. Martin may be the most solidly built of the bunch at 5-foot-11 and pushing 200 pounds, but also boasts a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, good vision and good ability to make high-speed cuts around and away from defenders to complement his power. Purdue and Incarnate Word have extended his first offers this week, and Texas Tech and Louisville appear to be two other Power Five programs to potentially watch.   No. 63 [player_tooltip player_id="138479" first="Dyson" last="Fields"] | 5-11, 190 RB | Ruston One of the state’s most productive rushers this fall with 304 carries for 2,231 yards and 30 touchdowns during an all-state junior season is right there in that aforementioned tier of running backs with Martin, Booker T. Washington (New Orleans) standout [player_tooltip player_id="138469" first="Arnold" last="Barnes"] and others. Fields lists a 4.67-second 40-yard dash, but shows good footwork in traffic and constant toughness and balance to drive through or bounce off contact and keep moving for big yards after contact — even in arguably Louisiana’s toughest district this fall in his highest classification. He is also one of the best pass-catchers of the running back group and a valuable weapon for his quarterback on screens and wheels out of the backfield or out of the slot.   No. 67 [player_tooltip player_id="275579" first="Justin" last="Horne"] | 6-1, 210 LB | John Curtis The quick, athletic linebacker or edge rusher picked up a Louisiana Tech offer this past summer and has garnered some interest from TCU, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Louisiana (Lafayette), Arkansas State and South Alabama. The standout hurdler — who recently posted an 8.09-second 60-meter time — has impressive quickness and speed from his first step, through gaps and changing directions when necessary and moves smoothly and with discipline when dropping in coverage.   No. 72 [player_tooltip player_id="188945" first="Treylan" last="James"] | 6-3, 175 DB | Madison Prep Another two-way standout for the always dangerous Chargers in Class 3A, James is the longer, wiry centerfielder to the smaller, speedier [player_tooltip player_id="138318" first="David" last="Jones"], who spends more time on the perimeter. James covers a lot of ground playing on the back end of the defense excels in reading plays and making leaping interceptions and deflections for impact plays. That duo takes the reins from departing seniors [player_tooltip player_id="136573" first="Quency" last="Wiggins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="127757" first="Zeon" last="Chriss"], but follow more in line with Tyrell Raby, Joel Williams, Major Burns and defensive back prospects in their roles. South Alabama recently extended his first scholarship offer.   No. 77 [player_tooltip player_id="275580" first="Jace" last="Larsen"] | 6-2, 170 WR | Jesuit The under-the-radar pass-catcher quietly compiled a strong 35-catch, 926-yard, 13-touchdown campaign as the lead target for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="136463" first="Jack" last="Larriviere"] in their first year under new coach Ryan Manale, known for a focus on running the ball at De La Salle with the aforementioned Johnson and Martin. Larsen has sprouted up toward 6-foot-2, with good, confident ball skills and a 4.6-second 40-yard dash speed that, paired with strong breaks on his routes, was enough to provide a deep threat for the Catholic League champion and Division-I runner-up   No. 88 [player_tooltip player_id="188943" first="Ashton" last="Stamps"] | 6-1, 160 ATH | Archbishop Rummel The versatile athlete played predominantly at safety this season where his football IQ, range and ball skills were all on display in coverage, as well as his return ability with the ball in his hands after a couple occasionally acrobatic interceptions and his physicality coming downhill and making stops in the running and screen game. Stamps has also displayed an ability to cover on the outside, sticking stride for stride with wide receivers and challenging any looks forced their direction. Nicholls State and Tulane extended scholarship offers this summer and fall, respectively, and Power Five programs are beginning to show interest.   No. 89 [player_tooltip player_id="188924" first="Tyrus" last="Morris"] | 5-10, 165 WR | McDonogh 35 One of the more veteran players this fall for a young Roneagles team was also a dynamic weapon for its offense. Whether exploding right past defensive backs downfield on the snap or taking quick screens and angling his way free for yards after the catch, Morris created consistent problems for opponents with his speed. But his timing, leaping, body control and ball skills also allowed him to play bigger than his size in jump ball situations.   No. 90 [player_tooltip player_id="276209" first="Cam" last="Hill"] | 6-3, 175 DB | Union Parish Another versatile defensive back, Hill’s size and strength play well in the box in Class 3A and against many run-heavy opponents. But the Farmers’ standout has shown a knack for making plays all over the secondary and the field. Hill will play corner and lock things down on the outside, play back and making leaping interceptions and pass breakups or force fumbles with his physical tackling. Middle Tennessee State and Florida Atlantic extended his first scholarship offers this month.   No. 94 [player_tooltip player_id="276313" first="Ely’Jay" last="Curry"] | 5-10, 170 RB | Homer The speedy junior carried 137 times for 1,714 and 21 touchdowns during an all-state season to help lead his Pelicans to their first state championship in 82 years and capped the dream run with 258 yards on the big stage in the Caesars Superdome. Curry dances through and past defenders with quick feet and then looks like he was shot out of a slingshot once he hits his lane toward the end zone. He and his teammates at the rural Class 1A program can fly under the radar as a result of those circumstances, but the state championship game helped put him on the map for a larger audience of media and college coaches.