10 highest-ranking debuts in Louisiana's latest 2025 update

Prep Redzone Louisiana's winter rankings process kicked off this week with the latest 2025 update.   And another slew of talented prospects joined the list on the heels of productive senior seasons — and, in many cases, impactful playoff runs.   Here's a look at the 10 highest-ranked debuts on the latest list, each of whom appears to possess potential Division-I talent.     No. 102 Ja'Mard Jones — 6-4, 290 OL — Archbishop Rummel   The versatile lineman and veteran leader on the Raiders' front line has a great frame for the next level with his height and long reach. And even pushing 300 pounds, Jones is impressively agile and quick at his size whether kicking out in front of edge rushers at tackle, chipping a defender and immediately locating and engaging another in traffic at guard or flashing his mobility on basketball court. The all-state standout, a unanimous all-district selection in a Catholic League always strong at the position, committed this past summer to Nicholls State, where his size, strength and athleticism should allow him to excel anywhere on the line.   No. 113 [player_tooltip player_id='1415002' first='Sy' last='Austin'] — 6-0, 180 RB — Franklinton   The Demons' dynamic running back went fairly under-the-radar from a recruiting standpoint in a Louisiana class loaded with Division-I talent at the position. But the combination of a prolific senior season and the program's deep run back to its first state championship game since 2010 helped him secure some well-deserved spotlight this fall and winter as a potential late steal for college looking for a back. Austin sliced his way to 2,078 yards and 31 touchdowns on 332 carries on the ground and caught 23 passes for another 386 yards and a score. And his athleticism was on display on the big Superdome stage in December in particular on a few of his winding, highlight-reel runs and a goal-line leap against a tough, fast Cecilia.   No. 115 [player_tooltip player_id='1596745' first='Cohen' last='Charles'] — 6-0, 170 DB — Iowa   The eventual Class 4A Outstanding Defensive Player winner was one of the state's more versatile standouts this fall as a major three-phase playmaker for the Yellow Jackets in their second semifinals run in the past three seasons. Charles wrapped up 159 tackles, including 109 solo stops and 13 for loss, with four interceptions, four forced fumbles, three recoveries, two sacks and 16 pass breakups on defense. Meanwhile, he carried 82 times for 795 yards and 17 touchdowns, caught four passes for 65 yards and another score on offense and returned three punts for special-teams touchdowns. Charles recently committed to nearby McNeese State where he has the potential to be a difference-maker early in his career as a smart, instinctive safety.   No. 116 [player_tooltip player_id='1537439' first='Jaeden' last='Winters'] — 6-2, 205 EDGE — Lafayette Christian   A potential breakout season was delayed as a junior in 2023 because of an injury, but Winters worked his way back not only to productivity this fall, but to a record-breaking senior campaign with 30 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks. He wrapped up 72 tackles in all as a defensive leader for his Knights, plus five forced fumbles, five recoveries and a pair returned for touchdowns. Winters appears at his best rushing from wide where his acceleration and motor pop off the film. But the solidly built edge rusher is comfortable lining up with a hand in the turf and fighting through blockers, as well as stepping back and working laterally in coverage or containment responsibilities.   No. 144 [player_tooltip player_id='1598246' first='Davon' last='Thibodeaux'] — 6-2, 215 EDGE — Northwest   Another talented, under-the-radar edge rusher from the Lafayette area, Thibodeaux was a physical nightmare for opposing blockers to attempt to slow down the past two seasons — if not longer as a three-year starter. He finished his senior season with 84 tackles, including 65 solo stops, 15 tackles for loss and 11 tackles, plus another 10 hurries, four forced fumbles and one recovery with a good nose for the football to create turnovers as he closed out plays. As a junior, he had the benefit of playing opposite 2024 Navy signee Mackenzie Ardoin. But even as the focal point for opposing offenses this fall, Thibodeaux was consistently disruptive.   No. 156 [player_tooltip player_id='1596645' first='Makin' last='Lenard'] — 5-10, 195 RB — Ouachita Christian   The Class 2A all-state selection was a workhorse this fall for the Division-IV Select runner-up with 1,600 yards and 26 touchdowns on 209 carries to become the program's first 1,500-yard rusher in more than a decade. Lenard is a solidly built back who runs hard, with good vision and patience and with balance through contact that stands out — a combination of qualities that make him an effective between-the-tackles runner. But he also boasts a notable track background that allow him to pop bigger gains once he has an angle to open field.   No. 171 [player_tooltip player_id='1596632' first='Deanel' last='McGee Jr.'] — 6-4, 225 EDGE — South Plaquemines   The top-ranked of a crew of Hurricanes to join the rankings after their historic run to a first state championship since 2008, McGee possesses good Division-I size and athleticism off the edge that made him one of the eye-catchers from the Division-IV title game. He finished the season as a Class 2A all-state honorable mention with 107 tackles, including 57 solo stops, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks. Playing at the small school near the Gulf coast, McGee is one of the more under-the-radar prospects on this list — particularly before the playoff run — but he is also one of just a couple of these athletes to play both ways with the potential for notable strides as he focuses on a single position and joins a college strength program.   No. 173 [player_tooltip player_id='1558160' first='Bennett' last='Woodring'] — 6-1, 205 LB — Catholic (New Iberia)   A pair of smart, physical Panthers linebackers debuted in the rankings in the latest update after helping lead the team to its first state championship since 2017. Woodring is the longer and quicker of the duo, but packs plenty of punch as an active and hard-hitting tackler. He finished the season with 72 tackles, including five for loss, as well as three forced fumbles, two recoveries and a pair of pass breakups, including 18 tackles in the Division-III Select title game and an outright snatching of a fumble behind the line of scrimmage.   No. 174 [player_tooltip player_id='1596724' first='Creighton' last='Wilbanks'] — 5-10, 170 K/P — Mandeville   The Class 5A all-state punter was a well-rounded special-teams standout for his Skippers who was efficient and effective in both putting points on the scoreboard and consistently flipping field position. The Southern Miss signee averaged 42.5 yards per punt with a long of 63 yards and put 63 of his 68 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. Wilbanks also converted seven of nine field-goal attempts, including a long of 53 yards, and finished a perfect 58-for-58 on extra points.   No. 176 [player_tooltip player_id='1596815' first='Roy' last='McBride'] — 6-1, 180 DB — Baker   The under-the-radar prospect earned all-state honors with an exceptional senior season highlighted by 11 interceptions, the top reported number in the state this fall, including four pick-sixes. McBride's stat line also included 55 tackles, six stops for loss and 10 pass breakups. On film, the Bisons' standout corner appears to have good height and length to his frame, fluid hips, a bounce to his step and great instincts and anticipation. McBride's breaks on balls in front of him and timing to beat receivers to the high point live up to the eye-popping interception numbers, and he also doesn't appear to shy away from the physical aspect when faced with a ball-carrier in space.

Prep Redzone Louisiana's winter rankings process kicked off this week with the latest 2025 update.