Familiar faces in new places to know | Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The countdown to the official kickoff of Louisiana's 2024 high school football season is down to less than 10 days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And as Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its preview series leading up to the Week 1 action, there are several key, impact players and prospects in new uniforms all over the state this season for fans — and college coaches — to keep track of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some transfer movement began occurring even during last school year, but will see players officially take the field for their new teams next week. Other news is still trickling out this month as the new school year and season ramp up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enough players have moved that this list had to be split into primarily defense and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/familiar-faces-in-new-places-to-know-offense-2024/">primarily offense</a>, although some guys will of course play both ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(If there are additional players who should be added, <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser">contact @JeritRoser</a>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214150' first='Emil' last='Allen'] — 5-10, 180 DB — Northlake Christian (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The instinctive ball hawk with an impressive seven interceptions last season for Mandeville during its late-season and postseason surge transferred this offseason to nearby Northlake Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaleb Andrus — 6-1, 205 LB — Acadiana (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speedy linebacker, an all-state honorable-mention performer for Tioga this past fall as a junior, will finish his high school career at Acadiana where he should provide a notable boost for an already talented Wreckin' Rams defense hoping to get back to Caesars Superdome for a second straight year and, this time, complete its state-title mission.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RJ Fleming-Ricard — 6-3, 210 DL — IMG Academy (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perennial power Catholic (Baton Rouge) lost one of its most talented playmakers in the box this summer when the multisport standout announced his move to IMG Academy in Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237761' first='Travis' last='Gallien'] —&nbsp;6-3, 210 ATH —&nbsp;Lafayette Renaissance (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The promising two-way and two-sport standout confirmed this week that he had started his junior year at Lafayette Renaissance after previously competing at nearby Teurlings Catholic. Gallien possesses a combination of solid build and smooth athleticism with which he excelled as versatile linebacker making big plays in pass rush and pass coverage alike and as a pass-catching hybrid TE/WR pass-catcher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710968' first='Nathan' last='Green'] —&nbsp;6-0, 180 ATH —&nbsp;Evangel Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another of Louisiana's most versatile 2026 prospects, the speedy Green transferred to Evangel during last school year from Booker T. Washington and is one of the top talents to watch for the resurgent Eagles program surrounded by anticipation as it returns to Class 5A. Green could excel — and even project at the next level — in a half-dozen roles, including almost anywhere on defense, and stood out this offseason in wide receiver reps on the college camp circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zakarri Hogan — 5-9, 160 DB — Zachary (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The quick, competitive ball hawk of a safety transferred this offseason from Madison Prep to Zachary where he'll be called upon in a big role in the secondary for the perennial Class 5A power eager to build upon last season's state runner-up run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710970' first='Hayward' last='Howard Jr.'] — 6-2, 170 DB — Edna Karr (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long, talented cornerback transferred to the Cougars last spring from Destrehan and appears poised to be a major playmaker in the secondary for the title-hopeful team, including two interceptions in last week's scrimmage, as well as one of Louisiana's top prospects in the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237618' first='Chad' last='Jones Jr.'] — 6-0, 220 LB — St. Augustine (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The standout linebacker in Southern Lab's Division-IV Select state championship this past season moved from Baton Rouge to New Orleans this summer where he joins a Purple Knights squad aiming — and having the talent and leadership to — take a big step back forward in the Catholic League this fall. The move represents some poetic symmetry as his father began his high school career at St. Augustine before evacuating to Southern Lab following Hurricane Katrina and going on to a legendary LSU career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942208' first='Mason' last='Moore'] — 5-9, 160 DB — Central (Baton Rouge) (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The promising young safety transferred to Central during last school year after a strong, two-way freshman season at Parkview Baptist. Moore has been one of our top-ranked 2027 defensive backs and should be worth watching in the short-term to compete for playing time on an ascending Wildcats defense and in the long-term as a Division-I prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212339' first='Braylon' last='Montero'] — 6-2, 285 DL— Destrehan (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big, competitive defensive lineman — with background on both sides of the ball — moved this summer from John Curtis out to the Wildcats where he should be a notable addition to 2022 champions' front as they eye a run at another title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934571' first='Bryson' last='Phoenix'] — 6-2, 210 LB — Alexandria (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-way and multisport athlete hit the Prep Redzone Louisiana radar more than a year ago with some limited, but intriguing eighth-grade footage, but missed the bulk of freshman year because of injury. He has since transferred to Alexandria, and the early indications are that he will have the opportunity to be a difference-maker sooner than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jace Spikes — 5-10, 190 DL — Alexandria (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans defense also adds a stout, active transfer from District 2-5A foe Ouachita to its rotation up front as Spikes moves from Monroe to Alexandria. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bradon Stephens — 5-8, 155 DB/ATH — Evangel Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The multisport athlete, more active early on as a potential baseball prospect, made the move last school year from Calvary Baptist to Evangel Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->