Louisiana Bootleggers 7v7 Lafayette tryout/preseason eye-catchers
In this article:
As the spring nonscholastic/travel 7-on-7 season approaches, Prep Redzone Louisiana will preview some of the state’s student-athletes to watch this spring with a series of tryout eye-catchers and names to know for the coming months. First up: A dozen talented…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs the spring nonscholastic/travel 7-on-7 season approaches, Prep Redzone Louisiana will preview some of the state’s student-athletes to watch this spring with a series of tryout eye-catchers and names to know for the coming months.
First up: A dozen talented players who popped out during the Louisiana Bootleggers’ tryout event for the Lafayette area.
The Bootleggers are the state’s — and one of the country’s — longest-tenured organization of its kind, going back 15 years, and feature a handful of regional/metro teams that filter up to the statewide “national” team.
(Note: The scout/writer accepted a position this winter coordinating the roster selection of this organization’s national teams.)
————————— 18U —————————
This list could certainly stretch well past seven players, but we’ll stick to that number to keep manageable and allow some space for a few 15U and 14U standouts as well.
Russell Babineaux Russell Babineaux 5'9" | 160 lbs | ATH Acadiana | 2025 State LA — 5-9, 170 WR/ATH — Acadiana (2025)
Coming from a run-heavy offense for the Wreckin’ Rams, the speedy rising senior was immediately impressive with his work in the slot, repeatedly breaking himself free in the middle of the field and on a couple vertical runs past defenders.
Cole Bergeron Cole Bergeron 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB St. Thomas More | 2026 State LA — 6-4, 195 QB — St. Thomas More (2026)
The helm of the Cougars’ offense looks to be in great hands for the next two years as star senior Sam Altmann Sam Altmann 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB St. Thomas More | 2024 State LA heads to college. The rising junior, who saw some varsity opportunities and had reportedly had a particularly strong junior varsity campaign, has the build, confidence and maturity of an older passer to go with his strong arm that delivered tight-spiraled throws to every level during the tryout.
Chris Helaire Chris Helaire 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2025 State LA — 5-9, 150 DB — Lafayette Christian (2025)
The Knights’ cornerback, fresh off a breakout junior campaign, was arguably the day’s top-performing defensive back with his share of wins in one-on-ones against some of the top receivers and effectively navigating traffic
Dalyn Lewis Dalyn Lewis 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Acadiana | 2025 State LA — 5-11, 155 DB — Acadiana (2025)
A few Acadiana defenders joined Babineaux at the event, with Lewis standing out most of the bunch with his long, lean build at corner all the way to an interception to close the night.
Diesel Solari Diesel Solari 5'7" | 175 lbs | ATH Cecilia | 2025 State LA — 5-7, 175 ATH — Cecilia (2025)
The versatile athlete helped quarterback his Bulldogs to their first state championship appearance since 1995 and, while the tryout marked his busiest day of route-running in more than a year, the explosive Solari was consistently able to work his way open for catches.
Kylin Wheeler Kylin Wheeler 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Rayne | 2025 State LA — 5-11, 170 WR — Rayne (2025)
The Wolves’ speedster appears poised to be a notable stock-riser in the next round of Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings. His speed — with a smooth athleticism — was every bit as anticipated as he glided and zipped past and away from defenders all over the field. And his size and strength to make plays through contact also stood out more than anticipated in a couple opportunities to showcase that aspect of his game.
Jake Wyman Jake Wyman 5'9" | 165 lbs | ATH Catholic (New Iberia) | 2025 State LA — 5-9, 165 WR/ATH — Catholic (New Iberia) (2025)
Another versatile athlete who shouldered quarterback duties for his high school team but is a more natural receiver or defensive back, the quick-footed Wyman was one of the top pass-catchers in the slot, tracking the ball well and making sure-handed catches in stride and on a couple occasions in traffic or through contact.
————————— 15U and 14U —————————
Again, this list could stretch well beyond the five players chosen here. Stay tuned for more as the season actually gets going.
Chance Archangel — 6-2, 210 TE/DL — Anderson Middle (2028)
The young athlete’s tall, long frame and solid build stood out notably among his peers, and he moved well working through linebacker drills. Whether Archangel ultimately projects as a tight end or lineman — potentially on either side of the ball — he looks poised to be one of the notable prospects to watch in Westgate’s incoming wave of talent.
Jayden Dwyer Jayden Dwyer 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Westgate | 2027 State LA — 5-10, 155 DB/ATH — Westgate (2027)
One of a pair of Westgate freshmen on this list, Dwyer performed well in reps on both sides of the ball and particularly excelled as a long, athletic defensive back with well-timed plays on the ball thrown his direction.
Hayden Monroe Hayden Monroe 6'3" | 195 lbs | ATH LA — 6-2, 175 WR/ATH — Sunset Middle (2028)
In a year in which Brian Thomas Jr. was among the nation’s top college receivers and Trey’Dez Green Trey’Dez Green 6'7" | 225 lbs | ATH Zachary | 2024 State LA was among the nation’s top prospects, “H3” is among the most-promising young standouts in Louisiana’s next wave of tall, long multisport athletes with high-level potential as both a pass-catching prospect and basketball player.
Jackilon Roberson Jackilon Roberson 5'10" | 145 lbs | WR Westgate | 2027 State LA — 5-10, 145 WR — Westgate (2027)
Like his high school teammate, Roberson played well in opportunities on both sides of the ball with a good combination of size and speed at his age. Roberson was one of the top receivers among the younger age groups.
Zyier Stokes — 5-3, 110 WR/DB — Anderson Middle (2029)
Maybes the youngest and smallest athlete to attend the event was a quick and confident playmaker, particularly as a difficult receiver for his peers to cover. Stokes still has another year of middle school ahead, but looks to be a potential player to watch for years to come for a Westgate program with a strong recent track record of maximizing smaller, but dynamic athletes.