Five key 2024 prospects to keep an eye on as returns near

The spring rankings process included several talented prospects on Prep Redzone Louisiana's radar at varying stages of returns from injuries that made for some interesting wait-and-see dynamics.   East Ascension standout [player_tooltip player_id='139480' first='Brennon' last='Thompson'] excelled on the 7-on-7 circuit the past few months after returning late in the Spartans' fall season from an ankle injury. He should enter spring ball with some momentum on confidence both on the field and the recruiting trail.   And at least a few others will begin making their returns to action — in some cases particularly soon — and will be worth fans, media and college coaches keeping an eye on.     [player_tooltip player_id='421517' first='Makylon' last='Smothers'] — 6-3, 180 WR — Destrehan   The Wildcats' pass-catcher was shaping up last spring as a breakout player to watch in 2022 before suffering an injury that sidelined him his junior season. And as Destrehan kicks off this spring with some big shoes to fill with college-bound receivers [player_tooltip player_id='138445' first='Daniel' last='Blood'] and Leslie Jefferson among the exceptional 2023 graduating class, Smothers will be a key rising-senior face and big, athletic target in the talented, but young position group.   [player_tooltip player_id='285274' first='Tydrick' last='Stewart'] — 6-1, 220 LB — Terrebonne   Stewart wasn't initially expecting to be back for Terrebonne's spring practice period, but was cleared last week and will be able to participate and getting his tone and conditioning back and work toward a nice stride for college camps this summer and for high expectations for his senior season as a key leaders in the program's second year under coach Tyler Lewis.   <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/mnkf9sn4IlI </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='139495' first='Kyle' last='Williams'] — 6-0, 175 DB — Northshore   The Northshore star has been relieved to start seeing some recruiting traction falling into place this spring with offers from Louisiana Tech, Ole Miss, Texas State, Southeastern Louisiana and UAB that should help ease some of the anxiety to rush back. Williams hopes to remain patient, but still hit be able to make some later college camps this summer and be fully healthy for his final high school season for his Panthers.   <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/NQJfd5kX7ro </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> </figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='139485' first='Raiyen' last='Oatis'] — 5-11, 185 DB — Donaldsonville   Another talented defensive back who has lived in the top 50 of Prep Redzone Louisiana's 2024 even through his injury and recovery process — including as high as the top 30 — won't be far behind Williams in that summer timetable. Oatis is advancing along well in his therapy and is expected to be back full-go back late summer to ramp up for a big return his senior season — if not possibly some late-summer camps or workouts. He visited Lamar this past weekend and is remaining on coaches' radars. The underrated prospect before the injury could end up a late steal for the right program.   [player_tooltip player_id='139491' first='Wallace' last='Foster IV'] — 5-11, 160 DB — Warren Easton   Home-state LSU stuck with its offer to Foster this fall as he lost his junior season to a knee injury, and he committed in November to the program he'd grown up admiring as other top New Orleans standouts made their way to the Tigers. That opportunity provides a nice boost as he remains upbeat and patient in his recovery process with the beginning of his senior season as the primary timeline for which to ramp up. And the Eagles will have another schedule full of high-profile matchups in which to catch Foster and company.   <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/t8Ds45G3ZUk </div></figure>

The spring rankings process included several talented prospects on Prep Redzone Louisiana's radar at varying stages of returns from injuries that made for some interesting wait-and-see dynamics.