5 Baton Rouge area players PRZLA hopes to catch as spring opens

Jerit Roser April 28, 2023 @ 03:28 PM

The LHSAA's official window for spring football opened Monday with a few schools around the state already taking the field and the vast majority kicking off their sessions in the next two weeks.   Prep Redzone Louisiana has already started making some rounds, but won't be able to catch everyone.   We'll start over the next few days by pointing out and highlighting five players from each area we'd like to see — with priority given to rising upperclassmen and for prospects we'd be seeing for the first time, the first time in an extended stretch or the first time since some notable development.   And a series will begin next week highlighting six or more student-athletes from each school visited with a mix of returning veterans, breakout candidates and underclassmen to know for years to come.     [player_tooltip player_id='401980' first='RJ' last='Fleming-Ricard'] — 6-3, 195 LB/DL — Catholic (2026)   The Bears are a consistent stop both during the season and offseason with talent and title aspirations every year and already have a high-profile 2026 prospect in defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'], who holds an impressive early offer list that includes LSU, Penn State and Mississippi State. And one of the next rising sophomores to watch for a recruiting blow-up — not just in the capital area, but in the state — is long, athletic edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='401980' first='RJ' last='Fleming-Ricard'], who has looked early like a likely Power-Five guy in his own right.   [player_tooltip player_id='288349' first='Demarcus' last='Gant'] — 5-11, 160 DB — Ascension Catholic (2025)   The Bulldogs somewhat quietly have a solid crew of intriguing young prospects, particularly for a Class 1A program, coming through Donaldsonville at the moment that warrant a closer look from Prep Redzone Louisiana and college coaches. And the first to start gaining major traction on the recruiting trail is Gant with an Arkansas offer in February and several other programs trying to get him to camps in June.   [player_tooltip player_id='144906' first='Jerry' last='Horne'] — 6-2, 185 QB — Denham Springs (2025)   The Yellow Jackets' intriguing young passer has worked alongside and competed with 2023 Liberty signee [player_tooltip player_id='138487' first='Reese' last='Mooney'] for the past two years and steps into the lead role this spring — under the tutelage of longtime college and NFL assistant Kyle Caskey, who joined the Denham Springs staff this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 280 OL — East Ascension (2026)   The big freshman in Gonzales has great size and great film from his first year battling in an always-challenging Class 5A area of the state and looks likely to be one of the top prospects in the state for the 2026 class and someone to know on a potentially national level. Florida State extended his first offer this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='710972' first='Cayden' last='Randall'] — 6-0, 175 ATH — Woodlawn (2026)   The son of former LSU quarterback Marcus Randall began high school as one of Louisiana's most intriguing young 2026 prospects, but missed much of his freshman fall with an injury. So the spring should represent the first extended look at the athletic and versatile next standout in the family — and where, positionally, he'll get most of his snaps early on at the varsity level.

The LHSAA's official window for spring football opened Monday with a few schools around the state already taking the field and the vast majority kicking off their sessions in the next two weeks.