Five Louisiana prospects debut in top 50 of latest 2026 rankings
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<p>Prep Redzone Louisiana's latest 2026 rankings update dropped this week, including several notable debuts starting as high as No. 21.</p>
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<p>Here's a look at the five prospects who joined the top 50 with their first rankings thus far as some of the state's most intriguing rising juniors to watch.</p>
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<p><strong>No. 21 [player_tooltip player_id='1237612' first='Damari' last='Drake'] — 6-0, 215 ATH/RB — Evangel Christian</strong></p>
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<p>As noted during this week's countdown to the rankings release, the Eagles' young standout — particularly in his impressive sophomore film at running back — is the highest-ranking debut in this update. Drake appears to check a lot of boxes with his size, power, speed, balance and decisiveness and figures to be among the state's top running back prospects in the class. </p>
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<p><strong>No. 26 [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 170 WR — Airline</strong></p>
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<p>The Vikings' receiver was on a prolific early-season pace this fall with 35 catches for 561 yards and nine touchdowns before being sidelined by injury. But Darby has been back in action on the 7-on-7 circuit this spring with some flashes as not only one of the best jump-ball catcher in the state, but a more well-rounded receiver to watch as he continues to develop.</p>
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<p><strong>No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='1237615' first='Dezyrian' last='Ellis'] — 6-2, 160 ATH — Franklin Parish</strong></p>
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<p>"Pook" showed his arm talent all fall with a record-setting pass performance as his Patriots' quarterback, but has also shown a few notable flashes of his all-around athleticism on his rushing opportunities during the season and as a receiver and defensive back on the 7-on-7 circuit this spring.</p>
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<p><strong>No. 36 [player_tooltip player_id='1238574' first='Ze'land' last='Young'] — 6-4, 190 WR — Neville</strong></p>
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<p>We don't have as much varsity film on the multisport Neville athlete as the other new additions on this list, but Young is an intriguing young prospect to watch as one of the pass-catchers in the class with most size, along with the leap and all-around athleticism to go with the physical measurements.</p>
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<p><strong>No. 49 [player_tooltip player_id='1237761' first='Travis' last='Gallien'] Jr. — 6-3, 210 ATH — Teurlings Catholic</strong></p>
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<p>In his few available clips this fall, Gallien boasts highlights all over the offensive formation and on defense with glimpses of his ability as a rusher, receiver and edge-rusher with some good first and ball skills to go with his good overall size and solid build.</p>
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Prep Redzone Louisiana's latest 2026 rankings update dropped this week, including several notable debuts starting as high as No. 21.
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