Louisiana 2026 rankings update countdown: Nos. 40 to 31

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. 40 [player_tooltip player_id='1345265' first='Will' last='Berry'] — 6-4, 250 EDGE/DL — Jesuit   The tall, solidly built edge-rusher is now listed another 10 pounds stronger and should only continue to provide more inside-outside versatility as he continues to develop physically. Berry is already a physical bully of a defensive end, who explodes off the line in a hurry, powers his way through offensive linemen with a great motor and tenacity and shows a nice combination of quickness and upper-body strength to slip past or shed blockers on his way to opposing backfields. His offers thus far have been at the FCS level — including Cornell, Harvard and Penn all speaking to his performance in the classroom as well and providing great well-rounded fits — but we have been high on his FBS potential dating back to some initial spring scrimmage footage last year.   No. 39 [player_tooltip player_id='1581312' first='Greg' last='Wilfred'] — 5-9, 165 WR — Destrehan   "G Smoke" finished with 12 touchdowns this season as a versatile weapon for his Wildcats — not only his natural role, as a quick and crafty receiver capable of working outside or out of the slot and breaking free all over the field, but also a change-of-pace option in the backfield and a constant big-return threat on special teams. In addition to his quick feet and explosive burst, Wilfred possesses good contact balance and plays well through physicality for a smaller receiver to combine to give him a well-rounded and dangerous bag of elusive tricks with the ball in his hands.   No. 38 [player_tooltip player_id='920618' first='Kristion' last='Brooks'] — 6-4, 180 WR — Zachary   The junior multisport standout played well in a more prominent role in the Broncos' new-look offense this fall as the team's biggest target: a tall and athletic weapon on the outside and a favorite of senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='291087' first='Caleb' last='Gonzales'] with great chemistry between the duo. Brooks was particularly effective down the field with his burst off the line, long speed and ball skills to reliably track and haul in catches over the shoulder and over defensive backs on contested plays, but also shows ability in the screen game with his quick acceleration.   No. 37 [player_tooltip player_id='740982' first='Chris' last='Addison'] — 6-4, 225 EDGE/TE — Franklin Parish   Spoiler alert for the rest of the rankings countdown: Franklin Parish now has three 2026 standout ranked in the state's top 50. And Addison has been the longest-tenured as a top-40 prospect through several rounds of updates. The multisport standout has received interest from Power-Four football programs as both an edge rusher or a tight end with his stout build and physicality and strong hands both to his pass-rush and pass-catching skillsets. Always a thumper in his role to begin with, Addison is now also listed 2-3 inches taller and 10-20 pounds stronger than he was heading into junior season.   No. 36 [player_tooltip player_id='401749' first='Cole' last='Bergeron'] — 6-4, 210 QB — St. Thomas More   The first-year starter has the big build and strong arm colleges are looking for at the position and also showed the athleticism to be a consistent factor with his legs when necessary or called upon. The Cougars worked through some early kinks with a largely new-look lineup of players stepping into bigger roles after graduating a large and decorated 2024. But Bergeron, by all accounts, showed an even-keel poise throughout, and the offense appeared to hit more of its stride late in the season with five straight games of at least 48 points on team's way to a Division-I Select quarterfinal appearance — an encouraging sign to build upon heading into senior season for the quarterback and his 2025 classmates.   No. 35 [player_tooltip player_id='283985' first='Montrell' last='Conner Jr.'] — 5-10, 150 ATH — Ouachita Parish   The dynamic athlete with the high-level track background brought his talent to the Class 5A level this year at his father's alma mater where he proved himself a lethal dual-threat quarterback at the state's highest level and in one of its toughest districts. Conner's quickness, explosiveness and speed continued to pop off the film as much as anyone on the field and as much as any of his other attributes, but he also has good arm strength and a quick release that have to be respected by defenses in the passing game, including deep looks downfield.   No. 34 [player_tooltip player_id='1238574' first='Ze'land' last='Young'] — 6-4, 200 WR — Neville   Young remains one of Louisiana's relative wealth of taller, athletic receivers in this year's class of whom we've seen the least thus far, but who appears to possess some of the most intriguing potential. The Tigers' multisport standout earned more opportunities as a pass-catcher as a junior with 10 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns in which he showed flashes of his big-play ability down the field. Neville lined up Young alongside its tackles this fall more than anticipated and now lists him as a WR/TE and another 10 pounds heavier, an interesting note to monitor as both his build and his role continue to develop. No tight end is currently ranked higher in the state's class.   No. 33 [player_tooltip player_id='401763' first='Jackson' last='Fields'] — 6-1, 195 QB — Destrehan   The comparison of Destrehan's relative struggles during midseason while Fields recovered from an injury vs. the rhythm the Wildcats hit on another deep run to the semifinals may be as strong an endorsement for the young quarterback as anything. He finished 104-for-152 (68.4%) for 1,640 yards and 18 touchdowns with just two interceptions to earn his second straight first-team all-district honors in his second season as the starter. On a team loaded with weapons in every direction, Fields has proven himself a leader and the metaphorical "straw that stirs the drink" with his confidence, poise, decision-making and consistency to distribute the ball to his teammates.   No. 32 [player_tooltip player_id='710978' first='Alvin' last='Celestin'] — 5-9, 160 RB/ATH — Terrebonne   The dynamic athlete earned a heavier role in the backfield this season as a junior and was one of a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, while also showcasing his consistent threat as a pass-catcher with 26 receptions for 627 yards and four scores and return weapon with 160 yards and a touchdown on kick returns. Celestin bears some similarities to another Bayou area speedster in 2025 Vandebilt Catholic star and Liberty signee [player_tooltip player_id='145332' first='Jaylon' last='Coleman'] with his size, explosiveness and versatility to provide potential as a game-breaking threat in a variety of capacities.   No. 31 [player_tooltip player_id='1601751' first='Jeremiah' last='Bushnell'] — 6-3, 185 WR — Iowa   The long, athletic pass-catcher is one of the highest-debuting prospects in this round of 2026 rankings updates after a high-flying and highly productive junior campaign. The Yellow Jackets' multisport standout caught 61 passes for 1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns and carried 36 times for another 392 yards and four scores, with some of his biggest performances coming in some of the team's biggest games. Bushnell shows the burst off the line and out of breaks and long speed to stress opposing defenses at every level from quick screens and big runs after the catch to deep verticals and is particularly impressive playing the ball in the air with his height, long catch radius, leap and strong hands to corral even one-handed receptions in tight, contested coverage.

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.