Where Louisiana's top players to watch are heading for college

Louisiana's 2024 season kicks off next week, and the state is once again loaded with Division-I talent — including more than 80 players already committed heading in.   Here's a look at the college programs with the most current pledges among the state's top players.     LSU Tigers (10 seniors, four juniors)   The home-state Tigers, as usual, top the list of colleges holding Louisiana commitments entering this season — in terms of both quantity and quality. Ten of Prep Redzone Louisiana's top 17 ranked seniors have pledged to coach Brian Kelly and company in Baton Rouge, as have four of the state's first five 2026 prospects to announce their college plans. LSU is on pace for one of the nation's top 2025 classes overall, and the in-state corps led by top-ranked running back [player_tooltip player_id='291097' first='Harlem' last='Berry'] is a major component of that overall strength.   2025   No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='291097' first='Harlem' last='Berry'] — 5-11, 175 RB — St. Martin's Episcopal   No. 4 [player_tooltip player_id='426960' first='TaRon' last='Francis'] — 6-1, 190 WR — Edna Karr   No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='144905' first='Keylan' last='Moses'] — 6-2, 215 LB — University Lab   No. 7 [player_tooltip player_id='710075' first='Devin' last='Harper'] — 6-5, 295 OL — Calvary Baptist   No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='710272' first='Jhase' last='Thomas'] — 6-2, 170 DB — Destrehan   No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='914207' first='Aidan' last='Anding'] — 5-11, 165 DB — Ruston   No. 12 [player_tooltip player_id='914208' first='J.T.' last='Lindsey'] — 5-11, 190 RB — Alexandria   No. 13 [player_tooltip player_id='291168' first='John' last='David LaFleur'] — 6-6, 240 TE — Sulphur   No. 16 [player_tooltip player_id='426964' first='Phillip' last='Wright III'] — 6-0, 160 WR — Destrehan   No. 17 [player_tooltip player_id='291165' first='Brett' last='Bordelon'] — 6-5, 315 OL — Isidore Newman   2026   No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Edna Karr   No. 7 [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 280 DL — Edna Karr   No. 11 [player_tooltip player_id='920613' first='Jakai' last='Anderson'] — 6-0, 160 WR — McDonogh 35   No. 15 [player_tooltip player_id='401967' first='Jalan' last='Chapman'] — 6-4, 275 OL — Warren Easton     Nicholls State (seven seniors)   Coach Tim Rebowe and his Colonels continue to build the foundation for their successful Southland Conference program through their strong in-state pipeline. Speedy Rayne standout [player_tooltip player_id='291094' first='Kylin' last='Wheeler'] and a trio of Baton Rouge standouts help headline the group with the younger brother of star LSU left tackle Will Campbell committed from the north half of the state.   No. 44 [player_tooltip player_id='291094' first='Kylin' last='Wheeler'] — 5-11, 175 WR — Rayne   No. 71 [player_tooltip player_id='144902' first='Alec' last='Haynes'] — 6-2, 210 LB — University Lab   No. 76 [player_tooltip player_id='291082' first='Amari' last='Clayton'] — 6-2, 185 WR — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   No. 87 [player_tooltip player_id='912261' first='Kevin' last='Rideau Jr.'] — 6-3, 185 WR — Westlake   No. 95 [player_tooltip player_id='1336884' first='Caleb' last='Smith'] — 6-3, 295 OL — Brother Martin   No. 144 [player_tooltip player_id='1224577' first='Thomas' last='Campbell'] — 6-2, 235 TE — Neville   No. 167 [player_tooltip player_id='426968' first='Jackson' last='Firmin'] — 6-3, 200 QB — Central (Baton Rouge)     Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (six seniors)   Coach Sonny Cumbie and his staff enter a pivotal season with high internal expectations for a potential bounce back and a good group of 2025 commits, including six highly ranked in-state prospects from winning programs led by two-time state championship Oak Grove quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='291089' first='Jackson' last='Bradley'] and a trio of speedy receivers ranging from Shreveport to New Orleans. Hometown linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='710083' first='Zheric' last='Hill'] is poised to follow former Ruston star Jadon Mayfield's path, and the Bulldogs hold a pledge from the leader of a stout Catholic (Baton Rouge) offensive line in [player_tooltip player_id='546455' first='Erv' last='Smith'].   No. 45 [player_tooltip player_id='291153' first='Johnnie' last='Thiel IV'] — 6-0, 180 WR — Destrehan   No. 46 [player_tooltip player_id='291089' first='Jackson' last='Bradley'] — 6-3, 200 QB — Oak Grove   No. 48 [player_tooltip player_id='902053' first='Kingston' last='Jones'] — 6-0, 175 WR — John F. Kennedy   No. 63 [player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas'] — 5-11, 165 WR — Calvary Baptist   No. 67 [player_tooltip player_id='710083' first='Zheric' last='Hill'] — 6-0, 210 LB — Ruston   No. 82 [player_tooltip player_id='546455' first='Erv' last='Smith'] — 6-2, 285 OL — Catholic (Baton Rouge)     Louisiana (Lafayette) Ragin' Cajuns (five seniors)   Coach Michael Desormeaux and company landed five highly ranked in-state prospects in the span of a few weeks this summer during their busy camp and visit schedule. The group of receivers and defensive backs is headlined by hometown standout [player_tooltip player_id='426961' first='Russell' last='Babineaux'] of Acadiana who was recruited by a lost list of Power-Four programs throughout his high school career, including LSU and Ole Miss.   No. 24 [player_tooltip player_id='426961' first='Russell' last='Babineaux'] — 5-9, 160 ATH — Acadiana   No. 40 [player_tooltip player_id='291157' first='Jayden' last='Gloston'] — 5-11, 175 DB — University Lab   No. 43 [player_tooltip player_id='913904' first='Brent' last='Gordon Jr.'] — 5-11, 175 DB — Cecilia   No. 57 [player_tooltip player_id='1214142' first='Cam' last='Riley'] — 6-0, 165 DB — Neville   No. 70 [player_tooltip player_id='710286' first='Trenton' last='Chaney'] — 5-9, 160 WR — Lutcher     Tulane Green Wave (five seniors)   First-year coach Jon Sumrall and company have done well finishing the 2024 class with several key transfers and kicking off the 2025 class with five highly ranked in-state prospects in the mix, led by hometown St. Augustine trench standouts [player_tooltip player_id='426963' first='Warren' last='Roberts'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1220957' first='Juelz' last='Baptiste'] and state championship-winning Ruston quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='710076' first='Joshua' last='Brantley'] as an athlete.   No. 38 [player_tooltip player_id='426963' first='Warren' last='Roberts'] — 6-3, 220 DL — St. Augustine   No. 41 [player_tooltip player_id='710076' first='Joshua' last='Brantley'] — 6-4, 200 ATH — Ruston   No. 53 [player_tooltip player_id='1220957' first='Juelz' last='Baptiste'] — 6-5, 285 OL — St. Augustine   No. 60 [player_tooltip player_id='914206' first='Gresham' last='Perry'] — 6-4, 285 OL — Teurlings Catholic   No. 68 [player_tooltip player_id='1214144' first='Oliver' last='Mitchell Jr.'] — 6-3, 175 WR — Edna Karr     Houston Cougars (four seniors)   No out-of-state program has had more success recruiting Louisiana's 2025 cycle than the Cougars under former Tulane coach Willie Fritz and other key staffers who joined him in the move from New Orleans. The four Louisiana prospects currently committed would already mark the most in a Houston signing class since 2013 and, given their high rankings, arguably its best-ever class of prospects signed from the neighboring state. Two of the four commits (Sterling and Bradford) have already earned LSU offers since announcing their pledges, and the other two are squarely on the Tigers' radar — a dynamic that speaks to both the talent of the players and the potential challenge ahead for the Cougars in keeping them on board.   No. 19 [player_tooltip player_id='291084' first='Kyle' last='Johnson'] — 6-0, 170 DB — Bunkie   No. 20 [player_tooltip player_id='710270' first='Reshad' last='Sterling'] — 6-3, 235 DL — Lutcher   No. 23 [player_tooltip player_id='710081' first='Jacob' last='Bradford'] — 6-0, 190 DB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   No. 27 [player_tooltip player_id='914090' first='D.K.' last='Mays'] — 6-4, 250 DL — Central (Baton Rouge)     Northwestern State Demons (four seniors)   The Demons had struggled to recruit the state in recent years as well as some of their rivals in the south half of the state, but new coach Blaine McCorkle and his staff have made that an emphasis since arriving this past winter and have four notable commitments in the 2025 class heading into this season.   No. 110 [player_tooltip player_id='1335950' first='Andrew' last='Fields'] — 6-0, 180 WR — Dutchtown   No. 135 [player_tooltip player_id='710086' first='Nehemiah' last='Barrett'] — 6-2, 230 LB — Huntington   No. 140 [player_tooltip player_id='786466' first='Ben' last='Taylor'] — 6-1, 185 QB — Airline   No. 142 [player_tooltip player_id='1221032' first='Sam' last='Nations'] — 6-2, 260 OL — Ruston     Ole Miss Rebels (three seniors)   The neighboring-state SEC program holds three Louisiana commitments heading into the season, all highly ranked trench standouts. Versatile defensive lineman Corey Adam Jr. of perennial power Edna Karr and explosive edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='710273' first='Corey' last='Amos'] of ascendent state champion Opelousas have been top-15 prospects on Prep Redzone Louisiana's 2025 rankings lists throughout their high school careers, and big offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1331262' first='Kenneth' last='Boston'] earned a top debut this summer amid his breakout run of college camp performances.   No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='913897' first='Corey' last='Adams Jr.'] — 6-4, 240 DL — Edna Karr   No. 11 [player_tooltip player_id='710273' first='Corey' last='Amos'] — 6-3, 205 LB — Opelousas   No. 32 [player_tooltip player_id='1331262' first='Kenneth' last='Boston'] — 6-8, 315 OL — River Oaks     Mississippi State Bulldogs (two seniors, one junior)   Mississippi's other SEC program holds commitments from a pair of speedy, versatile multisport athletes from south Louisiana, as well as one of the state's most promising pass-catchers from a strong 2026 receiving class.   2025   No. 37 [player_tooltip player_id='1214132' first='Ferzell' last='Shepard'] — 6-2, 175 WR — Scotlandville   No. 39 [player_tooltip player_id='914092' first='Davian' last='Jackson'] — 6-2, 170 ATH — Westgate   2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 170 WR — Airline     Grambling State Tigers (three seniors)   Coach Mickey Joseph and company hold a trio of commitments from all over Louisiana — Monroe, New Iberia and New Orleans — but all in the defensive front seven.   No. 120 [player_tooltip player_id='1214143' first='Kesean' last='Hines'] — 6-2, 225 LB — Wossman   No. 141 [player_tooltip player_id='1331268' first='Evan' last='Bryant'] — 6-5, 240 DL — Westgate   No. 157 [player_tooltip player_id='1335968' first='Calvin' last='Sparrow'] — 6-2, 220 LB — John F. Kennedy     TCU Horned Frogs (two seniors)   The Horned Frogs have, under multiple coaching staffs, been one of the strongest out-of-state programs for more than a decade recruiting Louisiana talent for more than a decade and have another pair of big, physical offensive linemen from rural program committed for the 2025 cycle.   No. 28 [player_tooltip player_id='1214126' first='Witten' last='Van Hoy'] — 6-7, 305 OL — Benton   No. 36 [player_tooltip player_id='914088' first='Jackson' last='Jones'] — 6-7, 290 OL — Pine     Michigan Wolverines (two seniors)   Unlike the aforementioned programs, Michigan has not had much of a recent history of recruiting Louisiana — a relative drought that wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, a New Orleans native, is working to change. The Wolverines currently have a pair of commitments from Bellamy's alma mater and at one time had a third New Orleans area pledge before [player_tooltip player_id='426964' first='Phillip' last='Wright III'] flipped to home-state LSU. Michigan may have its work cut out holding off the Tigers or other potential suitors such as Oklahoma State for Parker and Missouri for Washington, but is in strong position heading into the season with those relationships and its plan for those players.   No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='913900' first='Jasper' last='Parker'] — 6-1, 185 RB — Archbishop Shaw   No. 18 [player_tooltip player_id='940926' first='Jacob' last='Washington'] — 6-3, 180 WR — Archbishop Shaw     Tuskegee Tigers (two seniors)   The Tigers notably landed commitments late this summer from a pair of Terrebonne teammates, including the tall pass-catcher in McKay who has long been a highly ranked Prep Redzone Louisiana prospect.   No. 56 [player_tooltip player_id='145334' first='Quincey' last='McKay Jr.'] — 6-2, 195 WR — Terrebonne   Jaret Bolden — 5-11, 280 OL — Terrebonne     Southeastern Louisiana Lions (two seniors)   Coach Frank Scelfo and the nearby Southland Conference program have a pair of potential steals of commitments from within short drives to Hammond, America: quick, reliable U-High slot receiver [player_tooltip player_id='148530' first='Zay' last='Martin'] from west on Interstate 12, and stout, but speedy Oak Forest linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1262068' first='Tanner' last='Spears'] from just north on Interstate 55.   No. 81 [player_tooltip player_id='148530' first='Zay' last='Martin'] — 5-9, 150 WR — University Lab   No. 83 [player_tooltip player_id='1262068' first='Tanner' last='Spears'] — 6-0, 200 LB — Oak Forest Academy     Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils (two seniors)   The neighboring-state SWAC program has made a clear push to recruit Louisiana the past couple years with recruiting coordinator Wyatt Anderson helping spearhead the effort, and the Delta Devils have a pair of productive defensive playmakers from gritty, championship-winning programs in rural north Louisiana committed for the 2025 cycle.   No. 108 [player_tooltip player_id='914221' first='Keizavion' last='Woods'] — 6-3, 215 LB — Haynesville   No. 134 [player_tooltip player_id='710084' first='Tyquereis' last='Wilson'] — 5-11, 170 LB — Union Parish     Texas Longhorns (one senior)   The Longhorns have put together a nice recent run of recruiting the neighboring state with a handful of key wins under coach Steve Sarkisian and a staff that includes Louisiana natives such as general manager Brandon Harris and defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph. Highly ranked Calvary Baptist running back [player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] is the latest prospect to keep that high-quality pipeline active in 2025.   No. 2 [player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon'] — 6-0, 200 RB — Calvary Baptist     Miami Hurricanes (one senior)   Miami has a long-standing history of pulling key prospects from Louisiana highlighted by stars such as Destrehan's Ed Reed or John Ehret's Reggie Wayne during the most recent heyday of "The U" and a couple other more recent wins. And the Hurricanes have one of the best senior prospects in the state committed entering this season with the pledge of Westgate star [player_tooltip player_id='710071' first='Jaboree' last='Antoine'] over LSU, Florida State and many other suitors.   No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='710071' first='Jaboree' last='Antoine'] — 6-2, 180 DB — Westgate     Duke Blue Devils (one senior)   No. 15 [player_tooltip player_id='710077' first='Nate' last='Sheppard'] — 5-11, 185 RB — Mandeville   The Blue Devils and coach Manny Diaz earned one of Louisiana's final commitments before the new season kicks off with productive, all-around Mandeville running back [player_tooltip player_id='710077' first='Nate' last='Sheppard'] citing his relationship with position coach Willie Simmons as a major factor.     Liberty Flames (one senior)   No. 22 [player_tooltip player_id='145332' first='Jaylon' last='Coleman'] — 5-9, 160 ATH — Vandebilt Catholic   The Flames hit big one a dynamic, but undersized defender from Louisiana in the 2022 class in defensive back Brylan Green and may very well be poised to do the same on the other side of the ball in 2025 with Terriers' speedy running back and return man.     Baylor Bears (one senior)   Coach Dave Aranda, the former LSU defensive coordinator, and his Bears have done well recruiting Louisiana, particularly on defense, since his move to Waco in 2020 and the big, highly ranked Neville defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='710074' first='Brody' last='Whatley'] is committed to being next in that line.   No. 25 [player_tooltip player_id='710074' first='Brody' last='Whatley'] — 6-5, 250 DL — Neville     Missouri Tigers (one senior)   Missouri has pushed in recent years for Louisiana talent as well and currently have one of the state's top defensive linemen committed in the long, potentially versatile Dutchtown standout [player_tooltip player_id='1214125' first='Joshua' last='Lewis'].   No. 29 [player_tooltip player_id='1214125' first='Joshua' last='Lewis'] — 6-5, 240 DL — Dutchtown     SMU Mustangs (one senior)   Another nearby program with one of Louisiana's top defensive linemen committed, the Mustangs landed the pledge of [player_tooltip player_id='291085' first='Tyron' last='Winslow'] this summer.   No. 31 [player_tooltip player_id='291085' first='Tyron' last='Winslow'] — 6-4, 275 DL — H.L. Bourgeois     Arkansas Razorbacks (one senior)   Arkansas dipped just south of the state line this summer to land two-way Shreveport lineman [player_tooltip player_id='915064' first='Lionel' last='Prudhomme'], who projects on the Razorbacks offensive line, over his long list of other options.   No. 34 [player_tooltip player_id='915064' first='Lionel' last='Prudhomme'] — 6-3, 290 OL — Captain Shreve     Texas Tech Red Raiders (one senior)   Another program that has attempted to identify and pull the key prospects from the neighboring state, Texas Tech has one trench standout committed for 2025 in Loreauville star [player_tooltip player_id='710274' first='Dylan' last='Singleton'], a two-way standout for his Tigers who projects as the D-lineman in Lubbock.   No. 47 [player_tooltip player_id='710274' first='Dylan' last='Singleton'] — 6-4, 280 DL — Loreauville     Princeton Tigers (one senior)   The Ivy League Tigers may have a steal of a quarterback commit in the Isidore Newman star, who has excelled in filling big shoes as the heir to Arch Manning's role at the helm of the Greenies offense. Friend has been a confident, poised leader under that spotlight and a big-time playmaker with both his arm and his legs.   No. 72 [player_tooltip player_id='914014' first='Eli' last='Friend'] — 6-1, 195 QB — Isidore Newman     Texas Southern Tigers (one senior)   The Tigers hold the commitment of a promising receiver prospect in Shreveport in Calvary Baptist standout [player_tooltip player_id='144900' first='Kaleb' last='Tucker'].   No. 75 [player_tooltip player_id='144900' first='Kaleb' last='Tucker'] — 6-2, 185 WR — Calvary Baptist     ULM Warhawks (one senior)   The Warhawks haven't recruited Louisiana as well in recent years as their FBS counterparts around the state, but have a hometown commitment entering the season from one of the state's stingiest defenses down Highway 165 at Wossman.   No. 86 [player_tooltip player_id='1214138' first='Fred' last='Clark'] — 6-3, 210 DL — Wossman     Alcorn State Braves (one senior)   Alcorn State dipped down to New Orleans for a top-100 Louisiana commitment from versatile John F. Kennedy defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1214137' first='Ernest' last='Lyons'].   No. 97 [player_tooltip player_id='1214137' first='Ernest' last='Lyons'] — 6-0, 175 DB — John F. Kennedy     Air Force Falcons (one senior)   Air Force proved too good an all-around opportunity for Calvary Baptist standout [player_tooltip player_id='144896' first='Julius' last='Moss'] to pass on and managed to sway his previous commitment to UAB. Moss has been a three-phase guy for the Cavaliers, though primarily in the secondary, but is expected to play running back at the next level.   No. 99 [player_tooltip player_id='144896' first='Julius' last='Moss'] — 5-9, 185 ATH — Calvary Baptist     Central Arkansas Bears (one senior)   Central Arkansas holds one Louisiana commitment entering the season in the undersized, but hyper-productive linebacker Dy'traevous "Spida" Lively, one of the leaders for a talented Westgate squad.   No. 118 Dy'traevous Lively — 5-10, 215 LB — Westgate     Arkansas State Red Wolves (one senior)   Arkansas State holds the commitment of one of Louisiana's biggest risers in recent ranking updates, who may be one of the most notable seniors to watch this fall for another big jump in his featured role for the perennial power Comets.   No. 124 [player_tooltip player_id='1214147' first='Noah' last='Tucker'] — 6-0, 165 ATH — St. Charles Catholic     Southern University Jaguars (one senior)   The Jaguars landed not only an in-town, but an on-campus commitment this summer in big, state-championship MVP Southern Lab running back [player_tooltip player_id='1221036' first='Armariyan' last='Asberry'], who plays many of his high school games in Mumford Stadium and attends classes and practices right across the street.   No. 143 [player_tooltip player_id='1221036' first='Armariyan' last='Asberry'] — 5-11, 205 RB — Southern Lab     Boise State Broncos (one senior)   The Broncos earned this summer the commitment of one of Louisiana's top specialists to come play his college ball on the blue turf, as St. Martin's Episcopal standout [player_tooltip player_id='291148' first='Cooper' last='Helmke'] and his big leg announced his pledge.   No. 270 [player_tooltip player_id='291148' first='Cooper' last='Helmke'] — 6-3, 185 K — St. Martin's Episcopal     Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (one senior)   Arkansas-Monticello has recruited northern Louisiana well for several years and landed some big signees from the southeast corner of the state down in the Bayou Parishes in 2024 and have another committed in 2025 in the older of a pair of playmaking Carter brothers at Covenant Christian.   [player_tooltip player_id='1598049' first='Jahari' last='Carter'] — 5-10, 170 WR — Covenant Christian

Louisiana's 2024 season kicks off next week, and the state is once again loaded with Division-I talent — including more than 80 players already committed heading in.