Louisiana’s top 2024 prospects countdown: Nos. 10 to 6
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Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its updated 2024 rankings this week, including a new top prospect at No. 1. Leading up to the complete, 200-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 30 in greater detail. And make…
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Continue ReadingPrep Redzone Louisiana will release its updated 2024 rankings this week, including a new top prospect at No. 1.
Leading up to the complete, 200-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 30 in greater detail.
And make sure to check back throughout the week following the release for additional features and positional breakdowns.
Read more about Nos. 10-6 below.
10. Da’Shawn McBryde Da’Shawn McBryde 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Denham Springs | 2024 State LA | 6-3, 195 DB | Denham Springs
The past six months have been one whirlwind and explosion after another for the Yellow Jackets’ record-setter and budding star of a safety. McBryde snatched nine interceptions this fall — more than any other player in a season in Denham Springs history — in a breakout junior campaign that garnered District 5-5A MVP and LSWA All-State Honorable Mention recognition. And as the eye-popping takeaway number brought more attention his way, media and college coaches saw a well-rounded safety with a long, thickly built frame who also wrapped up 51 tackles, including four for loss, and forced four fumbles. McBryde lists a 4.6-second 40-yard dash that but looks faster on film with his reads, explosive step — with enough power to blow up attempted blocks on the outside — and closing speed to the interception or tackle. Texas Tech, Tulane and Incarnate Word extended offers during the season, with Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Houston, Oregon, Baylor, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana (Lafayette), Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, Missouri, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech joining in the past couple months.
9. Koby Young Koby Young 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Holy Cross | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 180 WR | Holy Cross
The dynamic Holy Cross playmaker is one of several decorated track standouts to highlight Louisiana’s recent recruiting classes and one that possesses some of the best football size to go with his speed as an individual sprinter, long-jumper and member of the Tigers’ relay teams. Young is explosive in his release, puts defenders immediately on their heels or in pursuit as a deep vertical threat or shakes them with his quick cuts and changes of direction to break shorter passes into huge gains. He caught 42 passes this fall for 709 yards (16.9 yards per catch) and four touchdowns and rushed 59 times for another 325 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and a score to earn all-district honors in the always-competitive Catholic League from which both state championship participants hailed. His long offer list includes Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, Florida State, Miami, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Tulane, Louisiana (Lafayette), Louisiana Tech, Troy, Charlotte,
8. De’Myrion Johnson De’Myrion Johnson 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Westgate | 2024 State LA | 6-3, 280 DL | Westgate
The first of three defensive tackles in the top eight spots in this rankings update and second of four defensive linemen in the top 13, Johnson is the next big-name prospect in a long line coming through Westgate. He is the stoutest of that top-tier defensive line group, but showcases impressive quickness, closing speed — with a listed 4.8-second 40-yard dash — and versatility at his size. Johnson explodes off the line to bull rush through or burst past blockers, even splitting double teams, and disrupting opposing offenses before plays can develop. Nebraska and Ole Miss became his first offers during the winter of his sophomore year, and Texas, Alabama, Miami, Memphis, Texas A&M, Oregon, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Auburn, Michigan State, Florida, Louisiana (Lafayette), Tulane and Arkansas State have all followed since then.
7. Melvin Hills III Melvin Hills III 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA | 6-4, 265 DL | Lafayette Christian
The Knights’ big defensive linemen missed much of his sophomore season with an ACL injury, but returned with an impressive, all-state junior campaign of 90 tackles, including 15 for loss and 10 sacks, and one forced fumble and two recoveries. A seemingly taller and trimmer Hills looked more explosive off the line and quick with his rushes than ever before with impressive closing speed at his size and the versatility to play inside or outside on the line. His big-bodied disruptive force up front help set the tone at the point of attack for a playmaking defense and has helped compile an impress offer list that includes Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Texas A&M, Texas, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Missouri, Auburn, Mississippi State, Tulane, Louisiana (Lafayette), Arkansas State, Nicholls State, Grambling State and Southern.
6. Ju’Juan Johnson Ju’Juan Johnson 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA | 5-11, 180 ATH | Lafayette Christian
Johnson garnered his first Prep Redzone Louisiana write-up in his first varsity game when a first-quarter injury to the Knights’ senior starting quarterback thrust him abruptly into action in the season opener against the reigning Class 5A state champion. And his development from then to one of Louisiana’s top prospects and a highly touted athlete recruited on a national scale, leading up to his commitment last month to Colorado, has been nothing shy of remarkable. Johnson has epitomized leadership, poise, high character and work ethic from an early age and taken major steps forward every year as both a speedy, dynamic athlete with the ball in his hands and an underrated passer. Johnson completed 220 of his 369 passes as a junior (59.6%) for 4,010 yards (18.2 yards per completion), 43 touchdowns and 13 interceptions (a 3.3-to-1 ratio), while rushing 206 times for 1,280 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and 17 touchdowns — and showcasing his toughness and physicality on plays on which he inflicted as much damage running over defenders as he took from tacklers. And, when he turns the page to offseason work as a cornerback, he almost immediately looks like an athlete who has played the position his entire life with his quick feet, fluid hips and willingness to play at the line.