Louisiana’s top 2025 prospects countdown: Nos. 20 to 11
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Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its updated 2025 rankings this week, with some notable new additions and risers entering their junior seasons. Leading up to the complete, 200-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 30 in more…
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Continue ReadingPrep Redzone Louisiana will release its updated 2025 rankings this week, with some notable new additions and risers entering their junior seasons.
Leading up to the complete, 200-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 30 in more detail.
And make sure to check back throughout the week following the release for additional features.
20. Tyron Winslow Tyron Winslow 6'4" | 275 lbs | DL H.L. Bourgeois | 2025 State LA | 6-5, 265 DL | H.L. Bourgeois
The face of his Braves’ highly regarded 2025 class remains a top-20 prospect in the class after a strong offseason of work by all accounts to build upon his strong performance as an underclassman. A few colleges have started to take notice, including offers from Troy, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana and interest from LSU, Mississippi State and others. There’s some discussion as to which side of the ball he plays at the next level, but more coaches are continuing to take notice of the high-level potential he shows — regardless of whether he’s protecting quarterbacks and ball-carriers or corralling them.
19. Joshua Brantley Joshua Brantley 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH Ruston | 2025 State LA | 6-4, 200 QB | Ruston
The intriguing Bearcats quarterback holds firm at No. 19 in the new Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings update and in the conversation for the state’s top prospect at his position as we await his first full season as starter. Brantley is a tall, athletic passer who zips the downfield with ease. And he’ll seen have the opportunity to show his handle on leading the Ruston offense full-time against a tough schedule and with high expectations.
18. Emile Picarella Emile Picarella 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB University Lab | 2025 State LA | 6-2, 215 QB | University Lab
Welcome to Louisiana full-time and to the class rankings. Picarella, whose family is from the New Orleans area, was a consistent visitor for camps and workouts the past few years even before moving from Mississippi this summer in one of the most interesting storylines of the summer. The rising junior passer brings to an already-loaded and title-hopeful U-High a good build; quick, active feet; and a strong arm able to flick off-platform throws with good velocity and accuracy. Despite being new to the state’s prep ranks, Prep Redzone Louisiana has already seen more from him in action thus far than many of the other top quarterbacks in the class.
17. Sheldon Green Sheldon Green 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Archbishop Shaw | 2025 State LA | 6-3, 200 LB | Archbishop Shaw
Prep Redzone Louisiana wrapped this spring heavily impressed and sold on Green’s special, Power-Five potential after watching him compete in the Class 4A triple jump in the outdoor track and field state championships and then in practice and scrimmage settings for his Eagles’ football team the following week. The tall, long edge rusher has special quickness and explosiveness into the backfield in the blink of an eye and is working closely under coach Hank Tierney, defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator Beau Briner, the Archbishop Shaw staff and rising senior Tulane commitment Jayden Scott Jayden Scott 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Archbishop Shaw | 2024 State LA to continue developing his body and his all-around game.
16. Phillip Wright III Phillip Wright III 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Destrehan | 2025 State LA | 6-0, 160 WR | Destrehan
Maybe the fastest of the top tier or tiers of receiver prospects in Louisiana’s 2025 class, the multisport Destrehan speedster already keeps opposing defenses on their heels as a home-run threat anytime he touches the ball whether after the catch, including in the screen game, or mixing in handoffs or tosses and return opportunities. And his continued work to master the effectiveness of that trait, gearing up and gearing down, in his route-running and his continued physical development figure to only make him more well-rounded and dangerous as a playmaker moving forward.
15. Brody Whatley Brody Whatley 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Neville | 2025 State LA | 6-4, 240 DL | Neville
The next big Power-Five prospect in the Tigers’ trenches remains a top-15 prospect in Prep Redzone Louisiana’s rankings for the class after debuting as such earlier this year. Whatley has a great frame and motor for the next level and a good combination of explosiveness, quickness and strength. Missouri, ULM, Arkansas State and Lamar have joined Baylor and Tulane on his offer list.
14. D’Shaun Ford D’Shaun Ford 5'11" | 210 lbs | RB Opelousas | 2025 State LA | 5-11, 210 RB | Opelousas
The longtime face of the Tigers’ impressive 2025 class, Ford is throwback bruiser of a running back at his best bowling over defenders and keeping his momentum and balance churning upfield for additional yards. He told Prep Redzone Louisiana this spring that a big focus for his offseason was continuing to develop his overall elusiveness, and he also got work on his route-running and receiving this offseason in 7-on-7 and camp formats. The Opelousas workhorse will be an interesting prospect to watch this fall for those areas of potential development as the state’s special 2025 running back cohort continues to mature.
13. Corey Adams Jr. Corey Adams Jr. 6'4" | 240 lbs | DL Edna Karr | 2025 State LA | 6-4, 240 DL | Edna Karr
At the risk of a “spoiler alert” for the top 10, Adams is the highest-ranking debut in the new Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings update. The big defensive lineman was a standout this spring on an impressive Cougars front and had a nice solid day working at LSU camp in June. Adams shows some inside-outside versatility with an already good build and strength to his tall, long frame and good mobility at his size both in his quickness working past blockers and his closing speed in pursuit.
12. Lennis Finister Jr. Lennis Finister Jr. 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Archbishop Rummel | 2025 State LA | 6-0, 170 DB | Archbishop Rummel
Once again one of Prep Redzone Louisiana’s top-ranked defensive back prospects for the class is the Raiders’ speedy, fluid cornerback. The patience, instincts and ball skills with which Finister plays have stood out from an early age. And this fall will provide an opportunity to see how he matures and develops from intriguing young athlete to a leader on defense with high expectations both individually and as a unit.
11. Devin Harper Devin Harper 6'5" | 295 lbs | OL Calvary Baptist | 2025 State LA | 6-5, 295 OL | Captain Shreve
The big left tackle, one of Louisiana’s hottest names as visiting college coaches made their rounds through the state in May, moves up another few spots in the rankings heading into his junior year. Harper is a physical, fierce and relentless blocker for his Gators that looks like one of Louisiana’s top few offensive line prospects in any classification at the moment, and he appears to have embraced the spotlight and expectations in an exciting fashion as further motivation to continue soaking in coaching and work.