Which Louisiana seniors ranked as PRZLA "Favorites" (Nos. 26-50)

Evaluating and projecting talent and success — in any field — is an inexact science with a wide range of variables in play in both the present and the future.   Recruiting sees this play out with different college programs or media/scouting services having differences up and down their boards or rankings lists.   With the final 2023 rankings complete, Prep Redzone Louisiana took a look around the state's other primary rankings lists (247, On3 and Rivals) to compare and contrast and take a closer look at the prospects positioned more highly on the PRZLA list than on others.   The 11 prospects below are those from No. 26 to No. 50 who earned their highest rankings from Prep Redzone Louisiana — or, more succinctly, were PRZLA "Favorites" in the 2023 class.   For more information on the "Favorites" in the top 25, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/02/prep-redzone-louisiana-favorites-2023-top-25/">click here</a>.   No. 26 [player_tooltip player_id='361375' first='Carl' last='Williams IV'] | 6-0, 175 DB | Southern Lab   Injuries have sidelined the Southern Lab standout at different points each of the past two seasons — which probably represents his biggest question mark as a prospect — but he has healed and bounced back impressively quickly on each occasion. Williams was a three-sport athlete for the Kittens, also participating in baseball and track and field, during his high school career on top of playing all three phases on the football field. He can flat-out fly, including a 10.49-second 100-meter dash, and works and plays with focus and physicality that allow him to be play such versatile roles for the secondary, the team and the school.   No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='138278' first='D'Wanye'' last='Winfield'] | 6-1, 220 ATH/QB | Lutcher   Media and college coaches alike doubted or questioned during the recruiting process whether "Lunch" could play quarterback at the next level, as he hoped to. But the bottom lines are that Winfield is a football player and a leader in a way matched by few young prospects. From a character standpoint, Winfield gave Lutcher coach Dwain Jenkins a confidence to stick with his role and rebuild his alma mater's team and program around the young athlete as its quarterback and face. Winfield put together an intriguing highlight reel as a sophomore. And by the end of his high school career, opposing defenses couldn't seem to find a way to stop him. His final two games to help lead the Bulldogs to their first state championship since 2016 epitomize his talent, determination and leadership. In back to back game against two highly regarded defenses, Winfield rushed 45 times for 331 yards and all five touchdowns in the semifinals, then completed 20 of 32 passes (62.5%) for 299 yards, three scores and no interceptions in a title game in which he was being challenged to throw.   No. 32 [player_tooltip player_id='138370' first='Deshaun' last='Batiste'] | 6-3, 250 DL/LB | John F. Kennedy   The defensive end and linebacker group in Louisiana's 2023 class looked increasingly impressive as the cycle neared its conclusion. And one of the most productive, but perhaps still underrated is joining the Troy staff, including former Tulane and Ole Miss assistant Jon Sumrall at the helm and Edna Karr and Grambling State alumnus and longtime Louisiana high school and college assistant Brock Hays as a prominent recruiter of his home state. "The Reaper" wrapped up a combined 40 sacks the past two seasons maintaining his explosiveness and speed as he bulked up almost 30 pounds.   No. 33 [player_tooltip player_id='138354' first='Delvin' last='Whitaker'] | 6-3, 250 DL/LB | West Feliciana   The Saints utilized "Lip" as a linebacker much of his career where, even as one of the biggest players on the field and one of strongest in the class, he was able to survey, fly around and make plays all over the field. Whitaker also showcased his mobility, speed and overall athleticism with some opportunities at running back and seasons participating in basketball and track and field. Louisiana Tech plans to move him to what has appeared to be his more natural position at defensive tackle, where he should have the size and strength to more than hold his own while also potentially being a dynamic match up problem with the aforementioned traits.   No. 37 [player_tooltip player_id='275576' first='Jaheim' last='Johnson'] | 6-0, 180 ATH/DB | Hammond   The twitchy, speedy multi-sport athlete with a reported 4.45-second 40-yard dash garnered Power Five interest during his recruitment, including Washington, Washington State and Purdue offers, before committing to nearby Tulane. Johnson played all over the field for Hammond and was a threat to score from anywhere, too, in all three phases, including a 74-yard strip and return for a touchdown against Ponchatoula and a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against Northshore that showed his big-play takeaway instincts on defense. And he isn't shy about contact, whether delivering it on defense or running through and over it with the ball in his hands.   No. 38 [player_tooltip player_id='361376' first='Christian' last='Martin'] | 6-5, 255 OL | Destrehan   One of the Wildcats' three All-District 7-5A First-Team offensive linemen this season, the Colorado State signee's tall, long frame and athleticism appear to give him the highest ceiling as he continues to develop in college. Martin is quick with active hands and moves well, both laterally as he pulls across the formation and with good speed upfield getting out to the second level and beyond. State champion Destrehan used him at left tackle, where his block in the final minutes of the title game helped keep a lane free for Jai Eugene Jr. to escape for the go-ahead touchdown scamps.   No. 39 [player_tooltip player_id='138409' first='Tyler' last='Kimble'] | 6-5, 280 OL | Denham Springs   The Yellow Jackets' big left tackle wrapped up his high school career with All-District 5-5A First-Team honors for his performance anchoring the offensive line that protected Liberty signee [player_tooltip player_id='138487' first='Reese' last='Mooney'] and the passing game and paved running lanes for Memphis signee [player_tooltip player_id='138470' first='Raydrian' last='McKneely'] and company on the ground. Kimble bulked up his long frame 25-30 pounds of good weight in his final year or so of high school to look increasingly college ready with his strong base and strong upper body And Denham Springs coaches praised him as a leader on and off the field, including his impressive 4.5 GPA and 32 ACT.   No. 40 [player_tooltip player_id='138324' first='Kevin' last='Adams'] | 5-11, 180 DB | Destrehan   The steady-rising defensive back went from being largely under-the-radar by comparison to several of his teammates on the star-studded roster to being an all-state performer, title game Outstanding Player and Tulane signee. Adams was among the fastest players on the team in both his foot speed — with 4.42-second 40-yard and 10.75-second 100-yard dashes — and his overall style of play with good ball skills and tackling that make him a versatile player in the secondary. He intercepted seven passes as a senior and rose to the occasion in big moments such as a semifinal pick-six and title-game tackle for loss and forced fumble that led to a field goal.   No. 41 [player_tooltip player_id='138413' first='Landry' last='Cannon'] | 6-4, 330 OL | Destrehan   The Wildcats' right guard was another of their trio of all-district offensive lineman and the only one of the group to earn those honors back-to-back seasons and garner LSWA all-state first-team designation as well this season. Cannon is a big-bodied mauler in the run game, but also quick and mobile enough to excel pulling to the other side to help bust open big gains to the other side. His coaches graded him out at 91% overall for the season, including 29 pancake blocks.   No. 42 [player_tooltip player_id='138318' first='David' last='Jones'] | 5-11, 185 DB/ATH | Madison Prep   Nebraska and Indiana were among the Power Five programs to notably flirt with the two-way Madison Prep star before he fell to Incarnate Word and eventually back to home-state Grambling State as an absolute steal. Jones is the definition of a "dog" in his mentality and competitiveness and was the best player on the field most, if not all, nights this season, including a high-profile District 6-3A battle against star-studded University Lab in which he caught five passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns and a 47-yard gain to set up a game-winning field goal. He finished the season with 31 catches for 688 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense and 76 tackles, including seven for loss, with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a physical defensive back who has garnered Tyrann Mathieu comparisons for his knack for being around and making plays on the ball in a variety of ways.   No. 46 [player_tooltip player_id='138361' first='Dickson' last='Agu'] | 6-2, 220 LB | Dutchtown   The aspiring pre-med student with a 4.4 GPA is one of the smartest student-athletes in Louisiana's 2023 class both on and off the field. Agu was a captain and defensive quarterback for his Griffins at middle linebacker who finished his decorated, two-time all-district career with a senior campaign of 97 tackles, including 15 for loss and three sacks, and three pass breakups, an interception and a game-winning touchdown catch against rival East Ascension. He is a fast, physical, versatile and well-rounded linebacker who excels rushing the passer, fitting the run or dropping in coverage that should transition quickly to the college game at Tulane.

Evaluating and projecting talent and success — in any field — is an inexact science with a wide range of variables in play in both the present and the future.