Nine 2024 stock-risers who joined Louisiana’s latest top 100
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The latest Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings update for the 2024 class saw several players improve their stock with strong junior seasons, continued physical development and strong starts to their final high school offseason. Here are a few notes on nine…
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Continue ReadingThe latest Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings update for the 2024 class saw several players improve their stock with strong junior seasons, continued physical development and strong starts to their final high school offseason.
Here are a few notes on nine previously ranked players who all joined (or rejoined) the top 100 on the latest list, starting with Southern Lab lineman Jude Foster Jude Foster 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Southern Lab | 2024 State LA all the way up to No. 35.
Jude Foster Jude Foster 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL Southern Lab | 2024 State LA | 6-4, 260 OL | Southern Lab
Grambling State, Tulane and Florida State were the first three programs to make their move on the Southern Lab standout last summer and into the first month of his junior season. And with another six offers in the the past month and a half, Foster has quickly become one of the faces and most highly recruited prospects of another increasingly intriguing offensive line class in Louisiana. He is an athletic 6-foot-4 blocker with good bend and a multi-sport background that includes some of his school’s top marks in discus and shotput. Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Baylor, Memphis, UAB and Georgia Tech have extended his latest offers.
Landon Sylvie Landon Sylvie 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA | 5-10, 170 DB | Calvary Baptist
Colleges that overlook the Cavaliers’ defensive back because of his size are doing so at the risk of missing out on one of the likely steals of Louisiana’s 2024 class. Sylvie’s intelligence and instincts allow him to play fast, constantly position himself to make plays and help communicate with and lead his teammates at a high level — whether the close-knit Calvary Baptist group or new 7-on-7 teammates he’s meeting for the first time. The multi-sport standout, who also competes with his school’s basketball and track and field teams, also does a great job playing the ball in the air, including his ability to high-point the ball and athleticism to make even acrobatic interceptions. He also plays stronger and more physically than one might expect at first glance, not at all shying away from coming downhill in run support, and is now listed 20 pounds heavier than last summer.
Tah’j Butler Tah’j Butler 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Edna Karr | 2024 State LA | 6-2, 205 LB | Edna Karr
Butler appears as poised as anyone to be a notable breakout performer this year. The Cougars’ linebacker earned an early spot in the Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings last year, but was only able to play four games this fall. He looked good in those opportunities, though — good size, quick laterally to cover a lot of ground and a sure, physical tackler — and his teammates have spoken highly of his work behind the scenes and expectations for a big senior season. Troy extended his first offer in January, and Louisiana Tech, Tulane and Georgia Tech have all offered the past week.
Steven Blanco Steven Blanco 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB St. Martinville | 2024 State LA | 5-10, 190 RB | St. Martinville
The Tigers’ stout, physical running back showcased a breakaway gear, listed as a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, that made him more of a home-run threat on both offense and in the return gain. Blanco racked up 2,213 yards and 30 touchdowns on 159 carries for a notable 13.9-yard average. Memphis extended a scholarship offer last summer, Tulane and Charlotte followed during the season and Louisiana (Lafayette) joined the list in February.
Nate Green Nate Green 6'4" | 245 lbs | OL West Monroe | 2024 State LA | 6-4, 245 TE/OL | West Monroe
Whether Green ends up sticking at tight end at the next level or moving into a true, every-down offensive line role will be an interesting storyline in his recruitment. And that potential was a major factor in his notable leap in the latest rankings update. He excels as a blocker in his Rebels’ run-heavy offense and, depending on a college’s scheme, could continue in a similar role or follow other big tight ends’ footsteps in transitioning to tackle. ULM extended a scholarship offer last summer, and Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Mississippi State and Missouri have all shown some interest.
Kylin Smith Kylin Smith 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB West St. John | 2024 State LA | 5-9, 150 DB | West St. John
The speedy Smith earned playing time — and made his share of plays — as a freshman in 2020 and has developed in a stronger, more well-rounded cornerback with quick feet and great ball skills. Alabama State extended his first scholarship offer in January, and he looks like a notable sleeper in this 2024 class. He’s facing high-level competition on the 7-on-7 circuit this spring as part of the Louisiana Bootleggers’ organization, including a trip to Battle Vegas with the Bootleggers Stars national team, and should continue to benefit from those opportunities both in his game and his exposure.
Jermal Callio Jr. Jermal Callio Jr. 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB John Curtis | 2024 State LA | 5-11, 175 DB | John Curtis
Callio capped his junior season this fall by nearly returning an acrobatic sideline interception to the end zone to punctuate his Patriots’ 26-0 shutout state championship, and he’s appeared to carry some momentum right into the spring on the 7-on-7 circuit. He checks a lot of the boxes of typical high-level New Orleans cornerbacks with good length, quick feet and an aggressive, physical edge that doesn’t shy away from jamming receivers at the line or battling for the ball in the air.
Robert Patterson Robert Patterson 6'1" | 170 lbs | TE Airline | 2024 State LA | 6-1, 190 TE | Airline
The Vikings’ standout is a bit of a tweener, but a smart, strong athlete who has bulked up 20 pounds of muscle from his last listed weight, lists a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and flat-out makes plays — whether as a reliable receiver impressively smooth in his routes for a high school tight end or as a willing and powerful blocker able to spring his teammates for big gains. Determining the best positional fit will be interesting and vary on level and scheme, but Patterson is a potentially versatile football prospect that coaches will be happy to have as part of their program.
Rahji Dennis Rahji Dennis 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Edna Karr | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 160 WR | Edna Karr
Not much varsity footage is available yet on the “Roadrunner,” but his elite speed and good size have piqued several college programs’ interest with offers already from Mississippi State, Miami, Memphis, Duke, Louisiana (Lafayette), ULM and Grambling State. His acceleration, whether off the line or after stopping to juke a defender, is All-American ridiculous up to his 10.35-second 100-meter, 20.89-second 200-meter and 48.48-second 400-meter track times.