Zachary Broncos | Spring 3-2-1 Spotlight

Zachary enters 2023 in largely new-look fashion after graduating a slew of college-bound standouts led by four Power-Five prospects.   But the Broncos have been one of Louisiana's most consistent contenders for nearly a decade now and should remain potent as coach David Brewerton and the staff refocus the program's physicality and edge.   Zachary was among the first stops of Prep Redzone Louisiana's spring practice tours and a series of "Spring 3-2-1" spotlights looking at three key returning standouts, two notable breakout candidates and one underclassman to know sooner than later.   <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/Ayab6l_nZUY </div></figure>     3 WELL-KNOWN RETURNERS   [player_tooltip player_id='675889' first='Kavion' last='Broussard'] — 6-6, 270 OL — Zachary (2024)   The big left tackle is the headline prospect of the Broncos' 2024 class and one of the top linemen in Louisiana's class overall. Broussard enjoyed a swift recruiting explosion to start the school year when Texas Tech, Mississippi State and TCU took notice of his tall, long frame and athleticism in the opening weeks of the season. Tulane, Florida State, Miami, Missouri, Louisiana (Lafayette), Cincinnati and others have followed, and Broussard has bulked up about 50 pounds since last offseason to get even stronger and more physically ready to excel not only his final high school season, but early in a Power-Five college career.   <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/n12__U8NDOo </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='421645' first='Kameron' last='Thomas'] — 5-10, 180 RB — Zachary (2024)   Whichever quarterback (or quarterbacks) earn the opportunity to follow the impressive lineage of Lindsey Scott Jr., Keilon Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='138485' first='Eli' last='Holstein'], a strong offensive line and a a stable of solid running backs will be at the disposal to help the transition. Thomas, the rising senior, is the known commodity of the group after a 650-yard campaign this past fall. Western Kentucky, Troy and Georgia Tech have been among a few colleges in communication. And Thomas will have a 2025 group that includes Nate James, Davekio Ruffin and Xavier Batiste joining him to provide depth.   <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/JgD7_b0BaRQ </div></figure>     Kameron Peterson — 5-11, 200 LB — Zachary (2024)   and Ethan Veal — 6-0, 210 LB — Zachary (2024)   The playmaking duo of linebackers will be among the most-established standouts on a defense that may have to lead the way — particularly early in the season — as the Broncos' offense breaks in a new quarterback. Following a strong finish to the fall, rising junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='710277' first='Sean' last='Hamilton'] will anchor the group up front, which includes fellow 2025 prospect Rashaed Smith as another name to know. And Peterson and Veal have already proven the ability to be consistent playmakers near or behind the line of scrimmage.   <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/RuYpEIfZpHE </div></figure>     2 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES   Jarrick Nedie — 6-3, 310 OL — Zachary (2024)   The third-year starter is a big-bodied mauler on the Broncos' line that epitomizes the exact edge and physicality that Brewerton and company spent the spring harping on with the team. Nedie is an aggressive, powerful interior lineman who can put opposing defenders on skates and plays with a high motor finishing blocks. He, Broussard and rising senior center [player_tooltip player_id='710767' first='Fredrick' last='Millican II'] help lead a group that should be among the team's strengths, and Troy has been among the programs beginning to show interest in his recruiting process.   [player_tooltip player_id='139489' first='Luke' last='Wisham'] — 6-2, 170 WR/DB — Zachary (2024)   Older brothers T.J. and Connor Wisham, both of whom went on to sign collegiately, have pointed to Luke's potential to be the best of the trio since he began high school. And he's had a chance to show some flashes of that talent as both a receiver and returner during the past three seasons, but this fall is expected to be another level of breakout campaign with the graduations of key receivers and safeties opening the door for him as one of the Broncos' top players to watch on both sides of the ball. Fellow rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1202525' first='Tyson' last='George'] and rising juniors [player_tooltip player_id='710289' first='Jaiden' last='Cockerham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='426965' first='Treyvion' last='Chaney'] will be among other notable upperclassman pass-catchers with a couple notable rising sophomores to watch as well. Cornerback Dave Peterson and safeties [player_tooltip player_id='1204722' first='Dillan' last='Durand'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1221065' first='Stetson' last='Bell'] around among other key rising seniors in the secondary, with Vederek Matthews a good-looking, under-the-radar athlete who could be another breakout candidate.     1 UNDERCLASSMAN TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='920618' first='Kristion' last='Brooks'] — 6-3, 170 WR — Zachary (2026)   The intriguing sophomore is already the biggest receiver in the Broncos' corps and, with a strong spring in the books, should have an opportunity this fall to earn playing time and begin establishing himself as a prospect to watch in the 2026 class. A few other early names to know in the class include fellow receiver [player_tooltip player_id='920637' first='Braden' last='Sanders'], linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='740993' first='Dylan' last='Shelmire'] and defensive end Cartier Brown.

Zachary enters 2023 in largely new-look fashion after graduating a slew of college-bound standouts led by four Power-Five prospects.