Louisiana's 2025 class headlined by rare running back talent

Defensive linemen and defensive backs — and occasionally some wide receiver groups — tend to headline most Louisiana recruiting classes.   But as the 2023 cohort led by Power Five-bound quarterbacks [player_tooltip player_id='138484' first='Arch' last='Manning'], [player_tooltip player_id='138485' first='Eli' last='Holstein'] and [player_tooltip player_id='138486' first='Rickie' last='Collins'] graduates, a special group of 2025 running backs appears to be moving into the spotlight.   Five players already hold SEC offers, including Prep Redzone Louisiana's top-ranked prospect [player_tooltip player_id='291097' first='Harlem' last='Berry'] in the most recent rankings update.   And the talent stretches to almost every corner of the state.   Here are the top 10 running backs for the group on Prep Redzone Louisiana's latest list.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/cfWebY42VO8 </div></figure>   No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='291097' first='Harlem' last='Berry'] | 5-11, 165 RB | St. Martin's   Louisiana's 2025 running back class looks special, but Berry appears to be the clear leader and arguably the most complete back coming out of the state in a few cycles with his combination of the size and power to be in the conversation with the group's bigger backs and explosiveness, quickness and receiving ability to be in the conversation with the smaller backs. Berry's offer list already includes LSU, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Oklahoma, USC, Penn State, Florida State, Texas, Oregon, Tulane, Auburn, Baylor and many others.   No. 4 [player_tooltip player_id='710072' first='D'Shaun' last='Ford'] | 5-11, 210 RB | Opelousas   The next back on the list — who also has a slew of of SEC and other Power Five offers to his name — is the traditional bruiser of the bunch, excelling in his craft with good vision, patience and balance. LSU, Penn State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Florida State, Miami, UTSA, Nicholls State and Charlotte are among the schools already extending scholarship offers.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/eIHPSX3LCBE </div></figure>   No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] | 6-0, 200 RB | Calvary Baptist   The Cavaliers' standout has been one of the more underrated prospects early in the emergence of the 2025 class, but has swiftly gained major recruiting traction during the past few months. Simon is one of the bigger backs in the class, but has shown some good quickness and elusiveness to his game and is currently maximizing the 7-on-7 circuit to showcase notable talent as a receiver out of the backfield. LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oregon, Ole Miss, Colorado, Oklahoma State, TCU and Arizona are Power Five programs that have offered.   No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='145332' first='Jaylon' last='Coleman'] | 5-9, 160 ATH | Vandebilt Catholic   The small, but hyper-explosive Vandebilt Catholic star shifted from a running back categorization to an athlete in this rankings update because of his notable potential as a slot receiver. But he — and a couple other versatile speedsters on this list — very much belong in this conversation. And, whether getting him the ball by handoff, pass or kick, Coleman's explosiveness and elusiveness are special. Oregon, Texas A&M, Florida State and Mississippi State are among his early Power Five suitors.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/TCrLBDu-N_w </div></figure>   No. 17 [player_tooltip player_id='145333' first='Diesel' last='Solari'] | 5-6, 160 ATH | Cecilia   Another smaller prospect with special burst and quickness to his game is working his way back from injury in hopes to be back this season to the dynamic form that has made him a Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite since before beginning high school. Solari is the shortest prospect on this list, but with some thickness to his build and has looked special in a wide range of versatile roles for his Bulldogs.   No. 23 [player_tooltip player_id='710077' first='Nate' last='Sheppard'] | 5-10, 180 RB | Mandeville   Vanderbilt, who has enjoyed the breakout performance of wide receiver Will Sheppard, has been the early college program tuned into the intriguing talent of his younger brother, who runs well through contact with good strength and balance and in the open field with breakaway speed — and also shows his own confident and reliable receiving ability when given the opportunity.   No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='710079' first='Xavier' last='Ford'] | 5-11, 190 RB | Leesville   Another workhorse back named Ford, the Wampus Cats' sophomore district MVP has already run himself into impressive company in the program record books alongside uncle Michael Ford and another former LSU standout in Cecil Collins. Xavier runs hard and does a great job making defenders miss with well-timed cuts.   No. 35 [player_tooltip player_id='710080' first='Chad' last='Elzy'] | 5-10, 175 ATH | Ascension Catholic   The Bulldogs' young standout is in the mix among the most versatile prospects in this group with his the big impact he's already put on film as a running back and defensive back for his Bulldogs, as well as some flashes as a receiver he's showcasing this fall on the 7-on-7 circuit.   No. 40 [player_tooltip player_id='710271' first='Jordan' last='Hayes'] | 5-9, 190 RB | Ruston   "Jet" is the Bearcats' next lead back up in continuing a strong lineage after a sophomore campaign complementing senior [player_tooltip player_id='138479' first='Dyson' last='Fields']. Hayes was powerful through contact and displayed breakaway speed, which Ruston lists as a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, in some pivotal moments against some of Louisiana's other top programs.   No. 44 [player_tooltip player_id='144899' first='Rejohn' last='Zeno'] | 5-10, 180 RB | Jennings   Another intriguing young prospect following a strong program lineage of running backs, Zeno has garnered some characteristic comparisons to former Bulldogs stars Travis and Trevor Etienne and played well this fall complementing senior [player_tooltip player_id='405739' first='Jamaric' last='McZeal']. He lists a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and has bulked up another 10 pounds to 180.

Defensive linemen and defensive backs — and occasionally some wide receiver groups — tend to headline most Louisiana recruiting classes.