5 Louisiana seniors enter top 100 in final 2023 rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The traditional February signing day has now come and gone, and Louisiana's 2023 class rankings have been finalized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A handful seniors who had been knocking on the door of the top 100 cracked their way into that group with strong finishes to their high school careers and Division-I signings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at those five prospects, including three in-state signees.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='405765' first='Charlie' last='Robinson Jr.'] | 6-3, 230 LB/DL | Sterlington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sterlington's multisport standout finished a productive senior season with 68 tackles, including nine for loss and six sacks in his final high school campaign before signing with Louisiana Tech last week. He also posted an impressive high school track resume at his size that included a 23.02-second 200-meter dash and 5-6 high jump, as well as participation in the 400- and 800-meter runs. And his continued physical development — with the listed 230 pounds potentially short-changing him —&nbsp;into a more muscular, hand-in-the-dirt edge rusher and potentially versatile defensive lineman should be exciting for fans of a Bulldogs program with some history of developing steals in the position group into impact players and even draft picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138373' first='Landen' last='Thomas'] | 6-3, 260 DL | Zachary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arizona State landed a pair of notably ascending defensive linemen in December from perennial power Zachary. Both Ashley Williams Jr. and [player_tooltip player_id='138373' first='Landen' last='Thomas'] bulked up their frames in big ways from their junior to senior seasons in ways that drastically increased their strength and versatility up front. Williams made yet another climb to No. 28 in Louisiana's final rankings, and Thomas made a huge leap to No. 69. Thomas plays smart and aggressive with good burst and strong, quick hands to push, pull and shed blockers and make disruptive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276326' first='Dedrick' last='Latulas'] | 5-7, 175 ATH | Westgate</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Latulas didn't need as large of a leap to crack the top 100 after falling only narrowly outside of the mix entering the season. And his rise in stock isn't associated with a big growth spurt or weight-room bulk-up. But, following the departure of his team's heralded 2022 class and amid injuries to key teammates, the dynamic Westgate weapon excelled as a senior leader even with opponents' increased focus and spotlight on him. His floor might be as a valuable return specialist, where he garnered all-state honors. But his impressive not only speed and quickness, but overall athleticism with his leaping and body control should enable him to be a nice weapon out of the slot as well. Latulas racked up 2,882 all-purpose yards and 33 touchdowns his final two seasons with the Tigers, including 61 receptions and 1,012 receiving yards alone as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138296' first='Kaden' last='Williams'] | 5-9, 180 RB | St. James</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A broken foot ended Williams' junior season early and delayed and limited his offseason, but he returned this fall as his Wildcats' bell-cow and one of the state's most productive running backs with 1,940 yards and 37 touchdowns on 220 carries, including four games with at least five scores, and no fumbles. Williams, who signed with Austin Peay last week, possesses a solid build and strength for his size to go with 4.43-second 40-yard speed once he hits his lane and gets to the open field. He has also shown reliable receiving ability with 36 catches for 366 yards and another two scores this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138316' first='Cody' last='Smith'] | 6-2, 180 DB | Zachary</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Latuluas and Williams, the Broncos' cornerback had been on the top-100 bubble throughout the past year, but finishes on the right side. Smith has a long, physical frame and style that could make him a versatile defensive back at the next level, but has helped him blanket opposing receivers outside as he plays almost constantly in phase with fluid hips and his ability to stop and start on a dime. He signed with McNeese State in December and finishes as one of the Cowboys' highest-rated in-state additions in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->