Louisiana 2026 rankings update countdown: Nos. 30 to 21

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its winter rankings process this week with the latest 2026 update, following last week's 2025 and followed by a 2027 update and first 2028 rankings on the horizon.   Leading up to the complete, 300-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 50 in more detail.   And make sure to check back following the release for additional features and notes on the 2026 cohort, including looks at debuts and stock-risers.     No. 30 [player_tooltip player_id='920615' first='Leon' last='Noil Jr.'] — 6-5, 275 OL — Edna Karr   Noil is now listed another 2 inches taller and 10 pounds stronger than he was at the time of the preseason rankings update, and the big, athletic blocker looked the part this fall as he took over as the Cougars' left tackle and earned Class 5A all-state honors for his role during the perennial power's run to its first state championship since 2019. Edna Karr's most consistent rushing success late in the playoffs came behind Noil, whose get-off and violent hands regularly popped defenders back and allowed him to take quick control to pave lanes for his teammates. And his lightness on his feet helped him excel in pass protection, even as the team's mobile quarterback regularly extended plays.   No. 29 [player_tooltip player_id='401978' first='Luke' last='Delafield'] — 6-2, 190 QB — North DeSoto   Delafield remains the top-ranked pocket passer in another round of 2026 rankings after a season in which he and his Griffins had to weather a storm of injuries, including his top receiver, and still managed a prolific season statistically, a top-10 playoff seed and a quarterfinal run. The junior quarterback completed 188 of his 273 attempts (68.9%) for 2,691 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. While the touchdown totals and average yard-per-play came down, Delafield posted the highest completion percentage of his career thus far.   No. 28 [player_tooltip player_id='710975' first='Jaden' last='Carter'] — 5-9, 175 WR — Covenant Christian   The dynamic athlete had more of an opportunity to showcase his big potential on Friday nights this fall after transferring last year as a sophomore, and he did not disappoint. "Baby J" was every bit the highlight-reel receiving threat we had seen in brief 7-on-7 action last spring with his explosive release, field-stretching long speed and impressive leap, aerial body control and ball skills to make acrobatic contested grabs over defenders. And the Lions maximized their budding star with roles on special teams and in the secondary, as well as finding opportunities to get him involved on run plays.   No. 27 [player_tooltip player_id='1237615' first='Dezyrian' last='Ellis'] — 6-2, 160 ATH/QB — Franklin Parish   The Patriots' second-year starter at quarterback earned Class 4A all-state honors at the position this winter after completing 115 of his 206 passes (55.8%) for 2,189 yards and 31 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, while rushing 90 times for another 827 yards and 10 scores. "Pook" looks to be one of more talented athletes in the state with the biggest question likely being which position he'll play at the next level — whether he continues to develop as a passer and finds the right fit in a program in that role, or potentially transitions to a pass-catcher or defensive back role where he continues to get reps in spring 7-on-7 action.   No. 26 [player_tooltip player_id='457340' first='Desmen' last='Jefferson'] — 5-10, 175 WR/ATH — Ferriday   Still seemingly somewhat quietly, the quick-footed standout in rural Concordia Parish remains one of the state's most promising likely slot receivers at the next level. Jefferson earned all-state honorable-mention recognition for a second straight season — seeing fewer opportunities come his way, but maximizing each in even more explosive fashion than before. He needed just 35 catches to rack up 890 yards and 13 touchdowns for averages of 25.4 yards per catch and a score every 2.7 catches. Jefferson is explosive off the line and zips over the top of opposing defenses in a hurry. And if he's not brought down immediately after shorter, quicker routes, he doesn't need much space to make an attempted tackler miss, find a lane to the end zone and pop off huge yards after the catch.   No. 25 [player_tooltip player_id='1237623' first='Maurice' last='Williams'] — 5-11, 170 DB — Edna Karr   "Moe" continues to both sprout up physically and rise up the rankings with every round of updates. Williams was listed another inch taller and 15 pounds stronger by the end of his fantastic junior season at corner for the Division-I Select champion Cougars. With his combination of length, speed, quick feet, good hips, ball skills and competitive mentality, the Power-Four target is running out of boxes left to check. Williams blankets receivers in coverage and breaks up passes his direction with patient, late hands to the ball. And, like the rest of the Edna Karr secondary, he doesn't shy away from physicality, whether in press coverage, corralling quick screens or helping in run support outside.   No. 24 [player_tooltip player_id='710967' first='Chantz' last='Babineaux'] — 6-0, 185 ATH — Carencro   This fall was a season of transition for Carencro and for Babineaux, as longtime coach Tony Courville retired from the position, a new-look offensive line worked through growing pains and freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1372164' first='Carson' last='Gurzi'] emerged and allowed the veteran star more flexibility to move around the offense as more of a true athlete. Babineaux finished the season with 97 carries for 599 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. With his junior football season now under his belt, the high school career feels as though it's flying by for one of Louisiana's most versatile and busy athletes: a four-sport standout capable of producing on the football field at quarterback, running back, receiver or safety.   No. 23 [player_tooltip player_id='401735' first='Antonio' last='Gladney'] — 5-10, 175 ATH — Parkway   Like Babineaux, this season was full of ups and downs for another of our longtime favorite and most-versatile athletes in the class. Gladney missed a big chunk of his junior season. But when he was on the field, he appeared to be utilized in an even wider range of roles than ever before as he worked not only as a receiver and running back, but also saw snaps at wildcat quarterback and safety. Wherever he is on the field, Gladney makes plays. And, in his defensive duties, he looked right at home not only initiating contact, but unloading downright explosive tackling both in space and working in the box near the line of scrimmage.   No. 22 [player_tooltip player_id='283987' first='Roderick' last='Tezeno Jr.'] — 6-2, 175 WR/DB — Opelousas Catholic   In Louisiana's class of talented, jump-ball snatching wide receivers with good size, Tezeno is among the best. The Vikings' multisport star possesses great size and field-stretching speed that enabled him to consistently blow the top off opposing defenses this fall and score from anywhere on the field, as well as a bouncing athleticism and high-level ball skills to make challenging, leaping catches over defenders. He finished the regular season with 46 catches for 1,047 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also breaking up eight passes on defense.   No. 21 [player_tooltip player_id='1237612' first='Damari' last='Drake'] – 6-0, 215 LB/RB — Evangel Christian   The two-way standout initially caught our attention as a sophomore with some of his early film at running back, but he stood out even more this fall as one of the brighter spots on an Eagles defense that was a gradual work in progress over the course of the season. Drake is a strongly built athlete with an explosive burst and showed it as he flew around the field racking up 150 tackles, including 12 for loss and four sacks, and snatched a game-sealing pick-six in the opening round of the playoffs. He also rushed for 380 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught a scoring pass as a physical presence in the backfield on offense.

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its winter rankings process this week with the latest 2026 update, following last week's 2025 and followed by a 2027 update and first 2028 rankings on the horizon.