Catholic (Baton Rouge) Bears | Offseason 3-2-1 Spotlight

Catholic (Baton Rouge) won the Division-I Select state championship — with a dominant title-game exclamation — in Hudson Fuller's first year at the helm of the program.   And, despite some notable graduations, the goal — if not expectation — remains the same preparing for the 2024 season.   "We're still Catholic High at the end of the day," as rising junior star [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'], the highly ranked 2026 safety prospect noted. "We're gonna be good."   Catholic was among the first stops of Prep Redzone Louisiana's spring practice tours and a series of "Offseason 3-2-1" spotlights looking at three key returning standouts, two notable breakout candidates and one underclassman to know sooner than later.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKzwgO-hQUw </div></figure>     3 WELL-KNOWN RETURNERS   [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'] — 6-2, 205 DB — Catholic (BR) (2026)   and [player_tooltip player_id='710081' first='Jacob' last='Bradford'] — 6-0, 190 DB — Catholic (BR) (2025)   The Bradford brothers are two of the Bears' most experienced players, highly recruited prospects and cornerstones in a strong secondary with Jacob's fellow rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='740987' first='Cayden' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='291166' first='Sam' last='Norman'] among other familiar faces. Blaine is one of the top-ranked safeties in the country for the 2026 class, an explosive and hard-hitting athlete who plays well in space but is probably at his best when he's able to crash down and play physically. Jacob has been a versatile player throughout his career not around the secondary, but also including some reps last offseason working at receiver before having a breakout junior campaign largely locking down opponents' top receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='401980' first='RJ' last='Fleming-Ricard'] — 6-3, 210 DL — Catholic (BR) (2026)   The young edge rusher has been among the standouts in Louisiana's 2026 class since he earned early playing time as a freshman, and he has continued to consistently get noticeably bigger and stronger throughout the past 18 months — all while remaining active with the school's basketball team in the winter and still working on his game in space with spring 7-on-7 reps. Fleming-Ricard is one of the Bears' most experienced returning players on the roster and figures to be one of the defense's top playmakers up front this fall, capable of wreaking havoc on opposing passers as the aforementioned secondary covers their targets.   [player_tooltip player_id='546455' first='Erv' last='Smith'] — 6-2, 285 OL — Catholic (BR) (2025)   Big Erv feels like the clear choice as the most well-known and consistent returning leader on the Bears' offense, though he isn't alone — including some familiar names among the skill positions mentioned below. Smith is a versatile — with heavy reps this past season at center and right tackle — and decorated — including various all-state recognitions — lineman who is quick firing off the ball and getting his hands on defenders, pulling across the formation or getting out in front of screens and plays with a high motor. At least 12 college programs have now extended offers, including Louisiana Tech, a handful of FCS programs around the state and a half-dozen out-of-state schools.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI1xOIWETe0 </div></figure>     2 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='739720' first='Jayden' last='Miles'] — 6-2, 200 RB — Catholic (BR) (2027)   The young running back — an eighth-grader at the time — was listed this time last year as the Bears' underclassman to know for years to come. And though we didn't get the opportunity to see much of Miles yet this past fall, the rising sophomore now appears poised to be a major contributor and budding star in a backfield that will be more critical than ever as the offense breaks in a brand-new starting quarterback — whichever of four candidates rise(s) to the top of the depth chart — for the first time since before the COVID pandemic. Catholic will have the benefit of some veteran receiving options, including [player_tooltip player_id='291082' first='Amari' last='Clayton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='710770' first='Cohen' last='LeBlanc'] and tight end Porter Fourrier. But a consistent rushing attack with Miles, [player_tooltip player_id='912263' first='Jeremy' last='Fisher Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='912267' first='Rylan' last='Parker'] and company will be vital, and the youngster of the bunch looks ready to be a an impact player. His recruiting process kicked off this spring with Florida State and Ole Miss extending early offers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1345158' first='Blaise' last='Thomassie'] — 6-5, 260 OL — Catholic (BR) (2026)   Another college prospect on an offensive line that should prove best friends for whichever quarterback(s) win snaps and Miles and company running the ball, coaches praised Thomassie's toughness — both physically and mentally — as a hard-nosed tackle with clear next-level size. Florida State recently extended his first college offer, and he is a notable candidate to watch for a major recruiting explosion this summer as he hits the camp circuit.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DaUjXJ-uPg </div></figure>     1 UNDERCLASSMAN TO KNOW   Jaxson Vessel — 6-2, 215 DL — Catholic (BR) (2027)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1356164' first='Jayden' last='Vessell'] — 6-2, 200 DL — Catholic (BR) (2027)   The younger brothers of Jermaine, a former Bears standout from the 2022 class, are a pair of Miles' 2027 classmates on the defensive side of the ball to keep an eye on in the rotation up front. Jayden, a stout and strong defensive end, caught our attention during a spring practice visit as he garnered first-team reps in Fleming-Ricard's absence. Jaxson is listed as a defensive tackle with some background on both sides of the line, as well as with the wrestling team.

Catholic (Baton Rouge) won the Division-I Select state championship — with a dominant title-game exclamation — in Hudson Fuller's first year at the helm of the program.