Anding, Sheppard commitments headline mid-August recruiting news

Louisiana's major recruiting movement has officially started slowing down as high school athletes and college coaches prepare to kick off their seasons.   But a pair of high-profile prospects provided a couple notable bangs this weekend to provide some (potentially final) recruiting headlines before ramping up the on-field action.   Here's a closer look at those two stars, as well as a couple other fresh tidbits.     [player_tooltip player_id='914207' first='Aidan' last='Anding'] — 5-11, 165 DB — Ruston (2025) —> LSU   The Bearcats' star cornerback became the latest major addition to the home-state Tigers' impressive close to the summer to both its 2025 recruiting class overall and the secondary group in particular with his announcement Saturday. Anding's rise as a football recruit during the past year may be the most meteoric of any prospect in the state. The hyper-athletic multisport standout went from not playing football as an underclassman to a pivotal piece of a historic state-championship run and a top-tier prospect and LSU commit. Anding chose the Tigers over Texas, Arkansas and a long list of other options, including a late offer from USC.   He joins 2024 defensive line signee Ahmad Breaux in further strengthening the Ruston-to-LSU pipeline, which should remain interesting to watch in the years ahead with younger brother [player_tooltip player_id='1356159' first='Jayden' last='Anding'] and elite two-sport target [player_tooltip player_id='1257121' first='Ahmad' last='Hudson'] both in the 2027 class. LSU had no defensive backs committed to the 2025 class in early July before Corey Raymond, Jake Olsen, Blake Baker, Brian Kelly and company kicked off an absolute heater of a six-week stretch with [player_tooltip player_id='710272' first='Jhase' last='Thomas'] (Destrehan), DJ Pickett (Zephyrhills, Fla.), CJ Jimcoily (Nashville, Tenn.), Kade Phillips (Missouri City, Texas) and now Anding.   [player_tooltip player_id='710077' first='Nate' last='Sheppard'] — 5-11, 185 RB — Mandeville (2025) —> Duke   Another of Louisiana's top prospects and a prolific member of the state's loaded 2025 running back class announced his commitment Friday when Sheppard shared his pledge to Duke over Cal, Tulane, Northwestern and Cincinnati before his Skippers' preseason scrimmage with Jesuit. The well-rounded student-athlete had zeroed in on a final five options loaded with football programs at highly regarded academic universities, but emphasized as the differentiating factors in his decision: his relationship with Blue Devils running backs coach Willie Simmons, the former Florida A&M head coach; the prioritization of Sheppard by not only Simmons, but head coach Manny Diaz and the staff; and his on-field opportunity.   Sheppard was a no-brainer Class 5A all-state selection as a junior with more than 2,100 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns as one of Louisiana's most versatile all-around backs showing not only his power through contact and breakaway speed, but also a polished receiving skill set, his ability as a weapon in the return game and his willingness and effort as a defender. He helped lead Mandeville to its first state semifinals appearance since 2015 and appears determined to push that program success even farther this fall before heading to Durham, N.C., for college.   [player_tooltip player_id='913900' first='Jasper' last='Parker'] — 6-1, 185 RB — Archbishop Shaw (2025)   With the flip of speedy Destrehan wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='426964' first='Phillip' last='Wright III'] from Michigan to LSU, some attention ramped back up for Parker and his fellow Wolverines-committed Archbishop Shaw teammate [player_tooltip player_id='940926' first='Jacob' last='Washington'] as potential Tigers flip targets to watch. Parker said following a solid showing in the Eagles' scrimmage at St. Amant that the home-state program has kept in touch, but that he remains focused on his commitment and his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='710078' first='Steven' last='Ranel'] — 6-1, 170 DB — Central (Baton Rouge) (2025)   Arkansas State became the latest program to offer the Wildcats' talented defensive back, one of Louisiana's top remaining uncommitted seniors.   [player_tooltip player_id='1257121' first='Ahmad' last='Hudson'] — 6-7, 225 TE/ATH — Ruston (2027)   The aforementioned 2027 star that LSU hopes will follow the footsteps of Breaux and Anding from Ruston to Baton Rouge has continued to land major offers, including most recently Houston and Florida. The Tigers are among the programs to have extended both football and basketball offers to Hudson.   [player_tooltip player_id='710970' first='Hayward' last='Howard Jr.'] — 6-1, 160 DB — Edna Karr (2026)   Houston also offered another of Louisiana's most promising non-seniors and potential breakout candidates this fall in the long, speedy cornerback who debuts this year for perennial power Edna Karr after sitting out last year following a transfer. The high school football season won't officially kick off for nearly two weeks, but Howard snatched a pair of interceptions in the Cougars' scrimmage Thursday — including one returned to the end zone.   [player_tooltip player_id='149233' first='Lawrence' last='Bangura'] — 6-0, 165 DB — Thibodaux (2025)   and [player_tooltip player_id='291158' first='Arsenio' last='Bolds Jr.'] — 5-11, 210 LB — Edna Karr (2025)   Millsaps recently extended offers to a pair of Louisiana's top remaining uncommitted seniors, defensive leaders for their respective Class 5A teams in the cornerback and track standout Bangura of Thibodaux and linebacker and field general Bolds of Edna Karr.

Louisiana's major recruiting movement has officially started slowing down as high school athletes and college coaches prepare to kick off their seasons.