14 top-ranked prospects to watch in Shreveport/NWLA region

Louisiana's 2024 high school football season is now in its final countdown to its official kickoff Sept. 5, 6 and 7.   And the always talent-loaded state will once again feature a long list of future college talent in every region and corner.   As much time as we spend looking at top prospects specifically by class, we thought we'd take a look at the best by area — mixing together seniors, juniors and sophomores — to help preview on which student-athletes fans might want to keep an eye in their area or when their team hits the road or hosts a less-familiar foe from elsewhere in the state.   We continue the 10-region tour with Shreveport/Northwest Louisiana, which continues to enjoy a great wave of talent at the moment.   Each list will focus specifically on the 2025, 2026 and 2027 cycles and hold off on further evaluation and consideration of the 2028 group until more of those players have some high school competition and film to their resume.   Also note, while the list has to be cut off somewhere — for NWLA, we broke at 14 — between 100 and 200 Louisiana prospects sign with Division-I colleges every year, so these lists just represent the leading tips of The Boot's notable talent iceberg.     [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 170 WR — Airline (2026)   The Vikings young pass-catcher was off to a prolific start to his sophomore season before suffering an injury. And the springy jump-ball catcher with good vertical speed is back healthy entering this fall with a solid offseason under his belt and looking poised for a huge junior season making up for lost time in the team's high-flying offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='401978' first='Luke' last='Delafield'] — 6-2, 190 QB — North DeSoto (2026)   The Griffins' young passer announced his presence with a bang of a freshman campaign, leading the program to its first-ever state championship game appearance and garner high praise from legendary coach Dennis Dunn in the process. He remains Prep Redzone Louisiana's highest-ranked quarterback in the 2026 class entering junior year and has played a big role in North DeSoto remaining among the top contenders in Division-II Non-Select for a third straight year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237612' first='Damari' last='Drake'] — 6-0, 215 RB/LB — Evangel Christian (2026)   Drake was the highest-ranking debut to Prep Redzone Louisiana's 2026 list earlier this year following a sophomore season in which he showed an impressive combination of power, speed and balance in his big, physical build. Miami became his first offer in February, and Grambling State followed this summer. And this fall should provide ample opportunity to complement [player_tooltip player_id='1250887' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] and a deep receiving corps with some explosive play in the running game.   [player_tooltip player_id='144898' first='Tre' last='Fuller'] — 6-2, 180 DB — Captain Shreve (2025)   One of Louisiana's top remaining uncommitted seniors entering the season, Fuller is eager for a strong start to the season and strong finish to his high school career after being banged up much of his junior season. And, if his two interceptions in last week's scrimmage is any indication, the Gators' ballhawking safety appears poised for exactly that.   [player_tooltip player_id='401735' first='Antonio' last='Gladney'] — 5-10, 175 ATH — Parkway (2026)   The Panthers' versatile athlete racked up more than 1,100 rushing yards, nearly 300 receiving yards and a combined 17 touchdowns as a sophomore working primarily out of the backfield. But in addition to his vision, patience and burst from that position, Gladney also possesses a strong receiving skillset to line up anywhere on the field, consistently create separation and prove himself a reliable pass-catcher.   [player_tooltip player_id='710968' first='Nathan' last='Green'] — 6-0, 180 ATH — Evangel Christian (2026)   Probably the most versatile athlete of a solid group on this list, the long, speedy Eagles standout could play almost anywhere on the field outside of the lines with an early resume of impressive showings as a receiver, safety, corner and linebacker — whether on the football field for Booker T. Washington as an underclassman, the 7-on-7 and camp circuits or workouts and practices for Evangel as he prepares for his first season with the storied program.   [player_tooltip player_id='710075' first='Devin' last='Harper'] — 6-5, 290 OL — Calvary Baptist (2025)   Louisiana's highest ranked senior offensive lineman will don a new jersey in his final high school season, transferring this past winter from Captain Shreve to the Cavaliers. The LSU commit is a big, fierce blocker who plays through the whistle and has shown the drive to continue improving his technique and consistency. For all the track record of producing college talent that Calvary Baptist has to its history, Harper immediately becomes the highest-profile linemen to come through the program.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250887' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — 6-0, 185 QB — Evangel Christian (2027)   Prep Redzone Louisiana's top-ranked player for the 2027 class, the most-polished passer early on in the state's loaded cycle at the position will soon make his highly anticipated debut as the starter at the helm of the Eagles' offense. "Pop" has excelled in camp, 7-on-7, scrimmage and workout settings for years now, but will finally have his opportunity to showcase his promising talent in a complete game setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='934564' first='Braylun' last='Huglon'] — 5-10, 175 DB — Calvary Baptist (2027)   One of the most productive and decorated players thus far in Louisiana's 2027 class, particularly as a young defensive back, Huglon will now be called upon in an even larger capacity in the Cavaliers' secondary given his experience and performance last season as a freshman and Calvary Baptist's graduation of several seniors from that roster.   [player_tooltip player_id='912286' first='Devon' last='Oliver'] — 6-3, 275 DL — Parkway (2025)   Prep Redzone Louisiana's highest-ranked still-uncommitted senior heading into this season, Oliver is a stout, strong and explosive defensive lineman whose junior film was notably disruptive in the interior. He picked up a string of offers early this year that included SMU, Houston, Missouri, Central Arkansas, UTSA, Vanderbilt, ULM, Dartmouth and Jackson State and most recently added Yale and Henderson State.   [player_tooltip player_id='401969' first='Jamarcea' last='Plater'] — 5-9, 180 ATH — Captain Shreve (2026)   Another of the most versatile athletes on this list, Plater initially impressed — and earned his high early Prep Redzone Louisiana ranking — as a quick, explosive defensive back and played well in that role this offseason on the 7-on-7 circuit. But the development of the Gators' roster will see him take on a notable role on offense as a running back who should pose a constant highlight and home-run threat with the ball in his hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] — 6-0, 200 RB — Calvary Baptist (2025)   One of Louisiana's top senior prospects, the Cavaliers' explosive and well-rounded running back followed up an all-state, state-championship and title-game MVP junior season with a commitment to Texas over a long list of other Power-Four options from coast to coast. Calvary Baptist is loaded with weapons once again with its prolific starting quarterback and the aforementioned Harper further bolstering the offensive line group, setting the stage for a strong final season for both Simon and the team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1214126' first='Witten' last='Van Hoy'] — 6-7, 305 OL — Benton (2025)   The first of back-to-back Benton teammates to wrap up the list, the son of former standout Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Chris Van Hoy is one of Louisiana's top senior offensive linemen entering this season and one of a pair committed to TCU. The younger Van Hoy possesses and even taller, longer frame than his father and moves well from a quick first step to his comfort in space getting out ahead of plays and locating and engaging defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='465282' first='Malachi' last='Zeigler'] — 6-3, 200 QB — Benton (2027)   Another of the highly touted young quarterbacks in that 2027 class, this fall will also be the biggest opportunity yet for the Tigers' big-armed budding star to showcase his talent that has already started to land major offers such as Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, TCU, Arkansas, Baylor and Mississippi State.

Louisiana's 2024 high school football season is now in its final countdown to its official kickoff Sept. 5, 6 and 7.