Five North Shore area players to watch this fall | Catch 5 Live
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Louisiana’s high school football season is underway with a couple 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…
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Continue ReadingLouisiana’s high school football season is underway with a couple 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 ninth segment of the series, here are the “Catch 5 Live” selections for the North Shore area.
KJ Daniels KJ Daniels 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Bowling Green | 2024 State LA | 5-10, 155 WR/ATH | Franklinton (2024)
One of the most dynamic senior receivers in the class, the quickness and track speed that the Oklahoma commitment brings to the football field in the vertical passing, screen and return games does not disappoint. The Demons have a new coaching staff this season, which can make for some adjustment period, but Daniels is a playmaker any way they choose to get him the ball.
Ashton Levi Ashton Levi 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB Bogalusa | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 190 QB | Bogalusa (2024)
Levi’s recruitment hasn’t been as high-profile as a shorter quarterback at a smaller, rural school, but he has been a leader and a highly productive playmaker for his Lumberjacks with another big season likely ahead this fall as a senior. He’s a smart, hard-working and charismatic student-athlete who commands his offense with poise, puts the ball where he wants to and can burn opponents just as well with his legs.
Nate Sheppard Nate Sheppard 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Mandeville | 2025 State LA | 5-10, 180 RB | Mandeville (2025)
The younger brother of star Vanderbilt wide receiver Will Sheppard has felt like one of the more underrated prospects in Louisiana’s loaded 2025 running backs class. But offers the past few months from Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Arkansas State, Duke and Tulane have swiftly started to change that. Sheppard is a versatile weapon with the size, strength and balance for physical runs, breakaway speed in the open field and some of the best route-running and receiving skills among the state’s backs.
Albert Smith III Albert Smith III 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Ponchatoula | 2024 State LA | 6-2, 205 LB | Ponchatoula (2024)
The explosive, quick linebacker returns to action this fall determined and hungry after missing spring recovering from injury. Smith is one of Louisiana’s most disruptive edge rushers and has already had some early-fall opportunities to showcase some of his playmaking ability in coverage as well. An Arizona State commitment could mean this senior season is the last opportunity to see Smith play in Louisiana, although Ole Miss, Tulane and others to have recruited him would change that if they could sway him.
Kyle Williams Kyle Williams 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Northshore | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 175 DB/ATH | Northshore (2024)
The talented defensive back prospect has always been among Louisiana’s most promising for the 2024 class, including top-10 rankings early on. Injuries have slowed Williams and his recruitment during his high school career, but both have appeared on the right track in recent months including Louisiana Tech and Ole Miss interest this spring, a Marshall commitment and West Virginia offer early this season. And Williams at his healthiest is highly likely to impress both fans and more college coaches throughout this fall.