DL/OL top performers from PRZLA Stock Up Showcase

Maison Smith

Jerit Roser January 20, 2025 @ 12:16 AM

High school football players from every corner of Louisiana — and even dipping into Texas — visited Baton Rouge on Saturday to participate in the Prep Redzone Louisiana Stock Up Showcase.   The network's first-ever Louisiana-based event, held at the new Elite Training Academy near LSU, featured standout performances from every position group and every high school class.   Here's a look at a few of the top eye-catchers among the linemen.   *Note: Prep Redzone national administrators are still reviewing combine testing numbers and have yet to release them.     [player_tooltip player_id='1597833' first='Pierre' last='Barre III'] — 6-1, 230 EDGE — West St. John (2028)   The Rams' freshman was the youngest player in the trench group and had a solid showing and won several reps with his quickness and his good mix of pass-rush moves at an early age.   [player_tooltip player_id='1596783' first='Jaiden' last='Elly'] — 6-0, 260 DL — De La Salle (2025)   The graduating senior defensive lineman put on a show during one-on-ones with his impressive combination of power and quickness to his rushing that helped earn Class 3A all-state honors this fall. Elly is a stout, strong athlete with as explosive a first step as anyone in the group, violent hands and great balance as he shook and spun his way past blockers on nearly every rep during extended one-on-one work.   [player_tooltip player_id='1581306' first='Aiden' last='Smith'] — 6-2, 330 DL — Walker (2025)   The graduating senior defensive tackle was the biggest player at the event, capable of overpowering offensive linemen with his strong upper-body, but also showed impressive athleticism at his size and quick feet to work past blockers in a variety of ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='1357863' first='Kobe' last='Smith'] — 6-1, 220 EDGE — Avoyelles (2027)   Another talented underclassman who impressed coaches throughout the day, [player_tooltip player_id='1357863' first='Kobe' last='Smith'] consistently fired off the line and beat blockers to the outside and, when he couldn't blow straight by, showed good instincts and timing to execute his moves and shoot back inside. The Mustangs' budding standout is still under-the-radar on a statewide level, even after his all-district sophomore season, but he looks like a player we should be talking about on the recruiting trail down the road.   [player_tooltip player_id='1594309' first='Maison' last='Smith'] — 6-3, 275 DL/OL — University Lab (2027)   The Cubs have the top-ranked prospect in the state's 2026 class, a two-way lineman, and appear to have another talented trench standout with potential on both sides of the ball coming along in the next class as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1594309' first='Maison' last='Smith'] worked primarily as a defensive lineman, particularly early, and showed a great combination of power and all-around athleticism, including at least one rep where he showed an array in quick succession driving his blocker back, shaking him off-balance and then spinning back around him for the win. And as he started working drills as a blocker, he proved himself a top performer on that side as well with his agility to stay in front of rushers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1170593' first='Sawyer' last='Wells'] — 6-3, 290 OL — South Lafourche (2026)   The big rising senior lineman has next-level measurables and carried his weight well with a strong first step and good overall mobility, and coaches credited him for showing improvement in his reps throughout the event.

High school football players from every corner of Louisiana — and even dipping into Texas — visited Baton Rouge on Saturday to participate in the Prep Redzone Louisiana Stock Up Showcase.