Five Central Louisiana players to watch this fall | Catch 5 Live

Many Tigers

Jerit Roser September 13, 2023 @ 11:24 PM

Louisiana's high school football season is underway with two great weeks of standout performances already in the books and another three months' worth on the horizon.   Prep Redzone Louisiana has picked five players each area of the state to prioritize catching in person this fall.   The series will limit inclusion of teammates in order to incorporate more teams, and older players receive preference with fewer opportunities left to see them before they wrap up their high school careers.   For the eighth segment of the series, here are the "Catch 5 Live" selections for Central Louisiana.   [player_tooltip player_id='285277' first='Joseph' last='Cryer'] | 6-4, 290 OL | Natchitoches Central (2024)   One of Louisiana's biggest, most physical senior lineman is in a new jersey this fall. And after watching Cryer maul predominantly Class 2A competition throughout his high school career at Many, he now has the opportunity to show his ability against a more consistent slate of Class 5A opponents with the Chiefs as he prepares for his college career at LSU where he committed this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='710079' first='Xavier' last='Ford'] | 5-11, 190 RB | Leesville (2025)   The nephew of former LSU star Michael Ford was one of Louisiana's most prolific rushers this past fall as a sophomore during an all-state campaign in which he totaled 2,581 yards and 34 touchdowns on 361 carries despite missing the Wampus Cats' playoff loss with an injury. The younger Ford is almost a sure bet for at least 100 yards and a score nearly every Friday — and usually much more.   [player_tooltip player_id='139511' first='Amyrion' last='Mingo'] | 5-11, 170 WR/ATH | Alexandria (2024)   Mingo was among the early members of Louisiana's 2024 class on the Prep Redzone Louisiana radar as an underclassman and is now in his final high school season for the Trojans. The ULM target is a smooth, smart receiver with a knack for getting open, particularly around the red zone. He tracks the ball well and is a consistent, reliable pass-catcher who has shown flashes of ability to make even acrobatic leaping and diving catches.   [player_tooltip player_id='902135' first='DeCareyn' last='Sampson'] | 5-11, 175 RB/ATH | Avoyelles (2024)   The Mustangs' star earned all-state honors as a junior with his prolific 2,253 yards and 29 touchdowns on 183 carries and another 425 yards and seven scores on 12 catches. Sampson is tough enough to hold up under a heavy work load and contact that comes between the tackles, has good vision in navigating traffic and can break away in a hurry with his track speed once he finds a little space.   [player_tooltip player_id='139482' first='Tylen' last='Singleton'] | 6-2, 210 DB/LB | Many (2024)   The Tigers' playmaking safety has been ranked the No. 1 or No. 2 prospect in every Prep Redzone Louisiana update throughout his high school career and became a major addition to LSU's 2024 class with his commitment this summer. Singleton is a poised, intelligent leader on the field with a combination of speed and physicality to make plays all over the field perhaps best epitomized in his major role in a pair of Many state championships during his high school career from his pick-six as a long, lean freshman to his strip of a pivotal fumble behind the line as a bigger, more physical junior this past winter.

Louisiana's high school football season is underway with two great weeks of standout performances already in the books and another three months' worth on the horizon.