First 2026 Louisiana rankings countdown: Nos. 10 to 1

Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its first full rankings for the 2026 recruiting class this week.   More than a handful of young prospects already hold college offers before the end of their freshman years, with several likely to soon follow in the coming months, in what is shaping up as a strong cohort in the state.   Leading up to the complete top 50, Prep Redzone will count down from No. 20 with more details on the early leaders.   Check out <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/first-2026-louisiana-rankings-countdown-20-11/">more on Nos. 20-11</a>.   And read <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/first-2026-louisiana-rankings-countdown-10-1/">more about Nos. 10-1 below</a>.   No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='710967' first='Chantz' last='Babineaux'] — 6-0, 185 ATH — Carencro   The explosive multisport standout in football, basketball and baseball broke receiving records this fall for the traditionally run-heavy Bears and garnered huge praise with expectations that he could develop into one of the greats in the program's proud history. Babineaux handled all with an even-keel and consistency en route to 971 yards and 12 touchdowns on 46 catches (21.1 yards per catch) in his first high school season, while also wrapping up 31 tackles, breaking up seven passes and an interception. He already lists 4.5-second 40-yard and 6.5-second 60-yard dashes, respectively, with quick change of direction, a thickly built frame and a willingness to hit.   No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'] — 6-1, 185 DB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   One of the highest-profile prospects early on in Louisiana's 2026 recruiting cycle, Bradford has already picked up a long list of offers that includes LSU and a slew of other SEC programs, Florida State, Penn State and, most recently, Baylor. He is the younger of a pair of brothers with Division-I talent in Catholic's secondary with [player_tooltip player_id='710081' first='Jacob' last='Bradford'] a name to watch in 2025. Blaine, who is also a baseball standout, is pushing toward 6-foot-2 with an ideally long wingspan and strong build; good patience, speed and ball skills; and an aggressive on-field nature with explosive tackling that stands out.   No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 280 DL — Edna Karr   The big-bodied defensive tackle is another of Louisiana's first 2026 prospects squarely into thePower-Five stratosphere of his recruitment with LSU taking notice at camp last summer and the Tigers, Florida State and Troy all offering this winter. Anderson moves well for his size, but his strength stands out battling older offensive linemen and even commanding and working through double teams and stopping ball-carriers abruptly in their tracks — which allows him to not only anchor the defensive front and free up his teammates, but to still make disruptive plays himself.   No. 7 [player_tooltip player_id='401978' first='Luke' last='Delafield'] — 6-0, 170 QB — North DeSoto   Few freshman quarterbacks in Louisiana lead their teams to state championship games at all — let alone in higher classification levels — and Delafield did so as a focal point the Griffins relied upon and trusted throughout his first high school season. The eventual 28-25 loss to Lutcher featured its share of learning opportunities for the young passer against the Bulldogs' veteran defense, but also some of the most impressive throws of the eight-game weekend despite his youth. Delafield played with confidence and poise all season and completed 165 of his 287 passes (57.5%) for more than 2,500 yards and 38 touchdowns to 15 touchdowns with an array of ropes all over the field. He has a strong arm with a smooth, quick release and a pretty deep ball he consistently drops over the top to his receivers in stride.   No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='401735' first='Antonio' last='Gladney'] — 5-10, 175 ATH — Parkway   One of the more under-the-radar names on this top-10 list shouldn't have to wait much longer to be considered a breakout star in the recruiting class. The multisport standout, who also plays basketball for his Panthers, has good speed, but particularly stands out in his smooth route-running, sharp breaks and overall impressive shifting of gears to frustrate opposing defenders trying to cover or catch him. Gladney is a versatile offensive weapon for Parkway early in his career, capable of lining up in the backfield or out as a receiver. And while he could excel at either depending on his continued development, he has garnered an early comparison to record-setting LSU and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.   No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 280 OL | East Ascension   The big, multisport standout appears to be one of the next top offensive tackles coming out of Louisiana with great size and the quick feet and athleticism to excel in pass protection — and play his role on the basketball court. Martinez more than held his own at right tackle this fall for his Spartans with that big frame staying balanced and keeping in front of pass-rushers or driving powerfully forward to pave running lanes for the East Ascension backs.   No. 4 [player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 170 DB/LB — Edna Karr   The second young Cougars defender already with an LSU offer on this list, Hall is a long, lean safety that covers a ton of ground in a hurry from his smooth back-pedal and mirroring of receivers to his good break and closing speed. And when he arrives, he has the hands to capitalize for interceptions on passes thrown his direction and the aggressive, physical instincts to be not only a reliable tackler, but a playmaking one on forced fumbles — an aspect of his game that should enable him to transition well to more of a linebacker or hybrid role if he were to develop as such physically during the next three years.   No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='212340' first='Jabari' last='Mack'] — 6-0, 170 WR — Destrehan   The depth of talent of the Wildcats' receiving corps for years to come has been a consistent talking point this spring throughout Prep Redzone Louisiana's release of the 2025 and 2026 rankings, but Mack has consistently been the a first name out of several of his teammates' mouths — including his fellow receivers — in that regard. Still early in his high school career, Mack is already beginning to check all the boxes with good height, a strong build and great physicality at his position and age, high-end track speed, explosiveness out of breaks and leaping over defenders and great overall ball skills and hands.   No. 2 [player_tooltip player_id='212343' first='Lamar' last='Brown'] — 6-4, 260 OL/DL — University Lab   The big U-High athlete was one of the first couple of members of Louisiana's 2026 class to earn a college scholarship offer when, as a defensive tackle on the heels of his eighth-grade year, hometown LSU made its move. Brown has great height and length and impressive athleticism at his size, even participating in some offseason 7-on-7. He played varsity as a freshman for one of the state's most consistently competitive programs, including a Division-II state championship in 2021, and looked like arguably an even better offensive tackle prospect. Brown has started hitting the camp circuit as an offensive lineman for the first time this offseason and will likely end up there at the next level, but has the potential to be a high-level prospect on either side of the ball.   No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='212341' first='Jahkeem' last='Stewart'] — 6-5, 295 DL — St. Augustine   Not a lot of question who the top-ranked prospect was going to be in the initial 2026 Louisiana rankings. Stewart has been on radars from coast to coast for nearly two years now, including half a dozen Power-Five college offers before even starting eighth grade, and now has the look of a young Maason Smith and one of the nation's top overall prospects. The Purple Knights' young star has great height, length and overall build and a special combination of quickness, technique, maturity and drive for his age. Stewart was an impact player already as a freshman capable of giving athletes three years his senior fits and has elite aspirations to match his talent, which should make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lineman for a long time.

Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its first full rankings for the 2026 recruiting class this week.