Hectic Saturday caps Louisiana’s week of notable commitments

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A handful of Louisiana prospects with impressive combinations of rankings, state championships and multisport athleticism announced commitments Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hectic day closed out a second week of July in which recruiting activity around the state regained some steam — including some heavy-hitters — following the Fourth of July holiday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the seven new college pledges that caught our attention this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710084' first='Tyquereis' last='Wilson'] — 5-11, 170 LB/DB — Union Parish (2025) —&gt; Mississippi Valley State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Farmers' all-state defensive star kicked off Saturday's festivities with his pledge to the SWAC program, which has recruited Louisiana heavily the past couple cycles. The Delta Devils project Wilson, who has been a linebacker and edge rusher throughout his high school career, as a nickel at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710272' first='Jhase' last='Thomas'] — 6-2, 170 DB/ATH — Destrehan (2025) —&gt; LSU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers offered just a month ago, but more than made up for lost time with their prioritization of one of Louisiana's fastest-rising prospects during the past six months or so. Thomas is a long, speedy and springy safety with great ball skills who has the potential to be a major playmaker on the back end of the LSU defense in the years ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='426964' first='Phillip' last='Wright III'] — 6-0, 160 WR — Destrehan (2025) —&gt; Michigan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas' teammate and friend announced his own college commitment just a few hours later and locked in with the Wolverines. He and his family cited multiple factors that notably included the relationship with Michigan receivers coach Ron Bellamy, a fellow New Orleans native who has been instrumental in the program landing three Louisiana commits in less than a month after not previously recruiting the state to any level of consistency. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291084' first='Kyle' last='Johnson'] — 6-0, 170 DB/ATH — Bunkie (2025) —&gt; Houston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Saturday evening announcement that favored an out-of-state program on a Louisiana recruiting heater, Houston out-battled Mississippi State late to land a commitment from Johnson, the fourth in The Boot this summer for former Tulane coach Willie Fritz and company as they prepare for their first season with the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221032' first='Sam' last='Nations'] — 6-2, 260 OL — Ruston (2025) —&gt; Northwestern State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats' senior leader on the offensive line joined Wilson, Thomas and Wright as members of 2022 or 2023 state champions to announce their college plans Saturday. Nations is a productive player and proven winner at Louisiana's highest classification level and a nice recruiting win for new Demons coach Blaine McCorkle and his staff as they continue bolstering the program's in-state efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291085' first='Tyron' last='Winslow'] — 6-4, 275 DL — H.L. Bourgeois (2025) —&gt; SMU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs positioned themselves to potentially land their first signee from a Louisiana high school since 2019 when the big defensive lineman from the Bayou Parishes announced his commitment last week. Winslow is a promising athlete and leader among the best prospects in a good defensive line class in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1331268' first='Evan' last='Bryant'] — 6-5, 240 DL — Westgate (2025) —&gt; Grambling State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grambling State became the first Division-I program to extend an offer to the Tigers' defensive lineman this April, kept on him during an active camp season and drew his commitment this July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->