Notes on another eight newly ranked 2026 prospects

Prep Redzone Louisiana released the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/louisiana/rankings/2026-rankings/">first rankings for the 2026 class</a> this week, including more detailed looks at the top 20 prospects.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/first-2026-louisiana-rankings-countdown-10-1/">Click here to check out more information on Nos. 1-10</a>.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/first-2026-louisiana-rankings-countdown-20-11/">Click here to check out more information on Nos. 11-20</a>.   And check out a few notes on eight prospects to know and keep an eye on currently outside the top 20, but with definite opportunity to climb.     3 NEXT UP...   Prep Redzone Louisiana highlighted this week the top 20 prospects in the first rankings for the 2026 class, counting down to the release of the complete top-50 list.   Here are a few notes on the next three prospects, just outside the top 20 for now, each of whom was heavily in the mix for a top-20 spot and could still easily land there in future updates.   No. 21 [player_tooltip player_id='283984' first='Jaden' last='Dillon'] — 6-1, 170 DL — Archbishop Rummel   The big defensive lineman was already big and talented enough this fall to earn varsity playing time in one of Louisiana's most challenging Class 5A districts, a league that supplied both the Division-I select state-championship participants. Dillon played with good leverage and more than held his own physically against older athletes, standing up and slipping past or shedding blockers to burst into the backfield and stop ball-carriers immediately in their tracks.   No. 22 [player_tooltip player_id='710970' first='Hayward' last='Howard'] — 5-11, 150 DB — Warren Easton   The Eagles have a strong track record of producing Division-I defensive backs, and Howard has the early look of one of the next notable additions to that tradition. Howard is a long, fluid and physical cornerback who's already pushing up closer to 6-feet tall and doesn't shy away from competition or contact.   No. 23 [player_tooltip player_id='710968' first='Nathan' last='Green'] — 5-10, 170 ATH — Booker T. Washington (Shreveport)   The younger cousin of former Parkway and LSU star Terrace Marshall Jr., now with the Carolina Panthers, has good overall size for his age and a thick build, 72-inch wingspan and nearly 10-inch hands that suggest some notable growth ahead. Green has shown the athleticism and versatility to play all over the field thus far — safety, outside linebacker, running back and receiver — and should be a one of the most notable prospects in the state to watch as he returns from a fall injury and continues to develop.     2 MORE FAMILY CONNECTIONS...   Green is one of the notable names in the 2026 class with a family connection to a recent Louisiana high school football standout who went on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels.   The cohort has a few, including another pair of names SEC and NFL names should remember well.   No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='401987' first='Tyrone' last='Mathieu III'] — 5-11, 160 ATH — Destrehan   The nephew of former St. Augustine and LSU star Tyrann Mathieu, now with the New Orleans Saints, is a key member of the impressive wave of young talent coming through Destrehan to succeed the current senior class. The younger Mathieu has played both quarterback and defensive back, where his long, lean frame and instincts could be well suited to follow his uncle's footsteps.   No. 35 [player_tooltip player_id='710972' first='Cayden' last='Randall'] — 6-0, 175 ATH — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)   The son of former Glen Oaks and LSU quarterback Marcus Randall, now wrapping up his fourth year at Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) may soon be in the mix to run his father's offense — or at least make big plays in it. The younger Randall missed much of his freshman season with an injury, but has the size and talent to be a potential standout at quarterback, receiver or defensive back as he gets back to the field and continues to develop.     2 MORE OFF THE BEATEN PATH...   Some of the same larger-school powerhouses seem to produce notable Division-I and even Power-Five prospects every recruiting cycle or two.   But each class also features some notable talent from schools whose programs go a few more years between that level of signings.   Here are a couple names to watch outside of those few dozen schools that seem to be annual D-I producers.   No. 25 [player_tooltip player_id='710973' first='Dwain' last='Swilley'] — 6-3, 185 DB — Riverdale   Donte' Jackson and Josh Clarke signed with SEC programs — LSU in 2015 and Ole Miss in 2017, respectively — out of Riverdale, and another standout defender may have the potential to be the Scottish Rebels' next Power-Five prospect as he continues to develop his long, athletic frame and game.   No. 45 [player_tooltip player_id='457340' first='Desmen' last='Jefferson'] — 5-10, 165 ATH — Ferriday   The speedy young athlete was already a standout wide receiver as a freshman for his Trojans this fall and appears early on to have next-level talent, potentially either as a pass-catcher or in the secondary. Like Riverdale mentioned above, Ferriday has a track, too, has some recent history for producing high-end talent — including the 2018 LSU signee duo of Dare Rosenthal and Dantrieze Scott.

Prep Redzone Louisiana released the first rankings for the 2026 class this week, including more detailed looks at the top 20 prospects.