Louisiana 2025 rankings update countdown: Nos. 50 to 41

Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its new 2025 rankings this week, followed by 2026 updates and the first 2027 rankings.   Leading up to the complete, 250-player list on Tuesday, we will count down the top 50 in more detail.   And make sure to check back following the release for additional features and notes on the 2025 cohort, including looks at debuts, stock-risers and the loaded running back, defensive line and defensive back groups.     50. [player_tooltip player_id='145333' first='Diesel' last='Solari'] — 5-7, 175 ATH — Cecilia   A longtime Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite in this 2025, the Bulldogs' leader remains in the top 50 of the expanded list. What Solari lacks in height, he has repeatedly shown he makes up for in toughness, explosiveness and intelligence and feel for the game. The likely college running back returned from injury this year to help quarterback Cecilia to its first Superdome trip in nearly three decades and showed his dynamic ability with the ball in his hand — as well as his versatility with reps at defensive back, returner and even some at receiver — throughout an all-state season.   49. [player_tooltip player_id='913904' first='Brent' last='Gordon Jr.'] — 5-11, 175 DB — Cecilia   Solari's teammate, friend and counterpart makes a huge leap forward into the top 50. Gordon was a tackle machine with a nose for the ball and a knack for big plays during an all-state junior campaign on defense, while playing some in all three phases. As much ground as Gordon covers from his safety role, he has also shown in workouts some notable potential as a corner. Southeastern Louisiana recently extended a scholarship offer, and he should be a notable prospect to watch at camps this summer as he returns to full-go soon from a winter shoulder surgery.   48. [player_tooltip player_id='291088' first='J.T.' last='Layton'] — 6-3, 200 TE — Oak Grove   One of the top couple tight ends in this class, as Louisiana continues a nice recent run at the position. Layton is a big, physical blocker in his Tigers' run-heavy offense, but has also shown his ability as a route-runner and pass-catcher when given the opportunities the past two years with 51 receptions for 686 yards and seven scores.   47. [player_tooltip player_id='144895' first='Carmaro' last='Mayo'] — 5-10, 160 DB — Parkway   The first of a couple Louisiana Tech commits on this list, Mayo was one of the state's first 2025 prospects on the Prep Redzone Louisiana radar and remains among the top defensive backs in an increasingly strong class in the position group. The Panthers' standout has good length for his height, good speed and timing and plays with a high level of confidence.   46. [player_tooltip player_id='915061' first='Dominick' last='Lewis'] — 6-2, 175 ATH — Jeanerette   The talent pipeline through Jeanerette doesn't appear to be slowing down after the graduation of the 2024 group, and Lewis makes a big jump in the latest rankings update as a tall, long two-way athlete with the leap, ball skills and body control to make acrobatic plays in the air. He has been a major playmaker for his Tigers on both sides of the ball, including both corner and safety on defense where he appears most likely to project as the latter at the next level.   45. [player_tooltip player_id='914205' first='Derrick' last='Johnson Jr.'] — 6-3, 220 TE/WR — Holy Cross   The other of the two top tight ends in this rankings update, Johnson is more of a bigger, thickly built receiver with some versatility to where his Tigers or future college can utilize him around the formation and a consistency to catch everything thrown his way — including his clutch play on falling touchdown reception of a deflected, ricocheting pass in the back corner of the end zone this fall as time expired to help net the program's first-ever defeat of perennial power John Curtis in one of the highlight's of the season in the state.   44. [player_tooltip player_id='291089' first='Jackson' last='Bradley'] — 6-3, 200 QB — Oak Grove   The Louisiana Tech-committed quarterback put his athleticism on display on the big Caesar's Superdome stage this December with 211 rushing yards as his team's Outstanding Player in a second straight championship in another dominant rushing — and record-setting — performance by the Tigers. But he also showed a couple flashes that night as well as in winter workouts of a big, accurate arm when called upon to take to the air.   43. [player_tooltip player_id='914094' first='Tavias' last='Gordon'] — 5-10, 185 RB — Westgate   The first member of a heavy Westgate contingent in this rankings update, Gordon was a workhorse this fall for the Tigers' offense — particularly missing star quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='710071' first='Jaboree' last='Antoine'] for a big chunk of the season. He carried 213 times for 1,603 yards (7.5 yards per attempt) and 17 touchdowns, showing both his power through contact for tough yards between the tackles and the ability to make a cut and break away for long scores.   42. [player_tooltip player_id='1214132' first='Ferzell' last='Shepard'] Jr. — 6-2, 175 WR — Scotlandville   The player on this list of whom we've see the least in person thus far, the Hornets' track star and pass-catcher has an intriguing combination of size and speed that has garnered offers from Texas Tech, Louisiana (Lafayette), UTSA Arkansas State and the interest of LSU and other major programs as he hits the camp circuit this summer.   41. [player_tooltip player_id='291153' first='Johnnie' last='Thiel IV'] — 6-0, 170 WR/DB — Destrehan   Another highly ranked member of this list from early on, Thiel is a fluid athlete with legitimate two-way potential, track speed and good length and catch radius that he uses to play big. Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech were among programs who came in early on the Wildcats' promising young standout who should be poised for a big year — both as he hits the camp circuit this summer and as Destrehan returns its starting quarterback and the bulk of its receiving corps.

Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its new 2025 rankings this week, followed by 2026 updates and the first 2027 rankings.