Louisiana 2027 rankings update countdown: Top 10

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its winter rankings process this week with the latest 2027 update, following this month's 2025 and 2026 updates and with the first 2028 rankings on the horizon.   Leading up to the complete, 150-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 40 in more detail.   And make sure to check back following the release for additional features and notes on the 2027 cohort, including looks at debuts and stock-risers.     No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='1593649' first='Zyion' last='Wesley'] — 6-4, 285 OL — Edna Karr   The Cougars were so loaded and dominant in their run to the Division-I Select state championship that an overlooked element of their success was a pair of talented young tackles on offense, including the emergence of their sophomore right tackle. Wesley is a long, athletic blocker with a prototypical from for the next level and held his own at the position against a strong schedule and in a district known for its play in the trenches.   No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='1250280' first='Ryan' last='Moore Jr.'] — 5-10, 160 ATH — East Feliciana   "Bug" is among the most versatile and electric skill prospects in the state's 2027 class, a dynamic playmaker in all three phases for his Tigers with an all-around athletic profile that pops off his film. Moore is quick and explosive — consistently creating space in his route-running or with the ball in his hands on offense, or closing it in a hurry on defense — with listed 4.4-second 40-yard speed that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field in a blink. The smallest player in the top 10, listed at 5-foot-10, he still has good size and plays bigger with his leap, instincts and willing physicality as a tackler or tackle-breaker.   No. 8 [player_tooltip player_id='1593644' first='Albert' last='Simien'] — 6-4, 280 OL/DL — Sam Houston   The highest-ranking debut in this round of Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings updates, the Broncos' multisport standout is a stout, strong mauler of a left tackle with impressive mobility and motor at his size and age that shows throughout both his football and basketball film. Simien is a tenacious blocker with the natural strength to overpower many defenders and fires off the ball well, adding notable explosiveness to his initial punch. And he gets upfield in the run game like he's running a fast break, but consistently knocking two or three defenders out of the play in the process.   No. 7 [player_tooltip player_id='465282' first='Malachi' last='Zeigler'] — 6-3, 200 QB — Benton   The Tigers' quarterback holds steady at No. 7 in the latest rankings update and continues to see his recruiting profile catch up to that projection with one offer after another rolling in this winter and strong start to his spring 7-on-7 season at Battle Miami. Zeigler is a big athlete with a big arm and the ability to make any throw on the football field, as well as beat opponents with his legs and good combination of power and speed to the threat he poses as a runner.   No. 6 [player_tooltip player_id='1590816' first='Morris' last='Walters'] — 6-1, 180 WR — Jeanerette   The multisport standout was once again an explosive weapon on the perimeter for his Tigers as a sophomore, as he consistently blew past opposing corners and safeties for big-play touchdowns. Walters has the size, speed and ball skills college coaches are looking for at the position. And, though much of his underclassman highlights the past two years have seen him repeatedly torching defenders deep, he has shown the abilities against better coverage to create separation in his route-running or to go up and make tougher contested catches.   No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='739720' first='Jayden' last='Miles'] — 6-2, 205 RB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   Miles kicked of his sophomore season as an immediate go-to playmaker for the Bears, including a game-winning touchdown late on the road in the rain against fellow perennial power Destrehan, and finished with a program record-breaking performance in a de facto district title game against Zachary and strong playoff showing for the Division-I Select semifinalist. The program's next great running back is a big, powerful athlete who can be tough for one defender to bring down, but has also flashed some notable long speed when a running late presents itself.   No. 4 [player_tooltip player_id='1257121' first='Ahmad' last='Hudson'] — 6-7, 225 TE/WR — Ruston   The Bearcats' multisport star — a high-level prospect on both the football field and basketball court — carried a strong summer performance in his camp appearances into a breakout sophomore season this fall as a more consistent weapon and a Class 5A all-state selection. Hudson caught 39 passes for 754 yards and six touchdowns, averaging nearly 20 yards per catch and leading the reigning Division-I Non-Select champions and eventual 2024 runners-up in all three categories. He showed flashes as a freshman of his highlight-reel pass-catching, and his coordination as a route-runner took a clear step forward during the past year.   No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='934555' first='Braylon' last='Calais'] — 6-3, 200 ATH — Cecilia   The promising athlete who has been highly ranked here from Prep Redzone Louisiana's first 2027 list had his breakout high school season this fall, playing a major role as a running back and all-around versatile, three-phase playmaker for the eventual Division-II Non-Select state champion Bulldogs. Calais rushed 163 times for 1,059 yards and 24 scores, caught 25 passes for 411 yards, four touchdowns and averaged 32.1 yards on kick with a touchdown in the title game and also played in the secondary. Where Calais ultimately lands from a positional standpoint remains to be scene, but he is a clear Power-Four prospect with impressive athleticism and a well-rounded skillset.   No. 2 [player_tooltip player_id='642719' first='Elijah' last='Haven'] — 6-4, 205 QB — Dunham   As mentioned in previous rankings updates, the 2027 class has two top dogs who present more of a 1A-1B dynamic than maybe any other class in Prep Redzone Louisiana's history. And Haven certainly held up his end of the bargain with a Class 2A Offensive MVP all-state performance as the clear motor for his Tigers' runner-up run. The multisport standout has measurables that few other young passers can match, a strong arm and the athletic ability to beat defenses in a number of ways. He finished the season 193-for-321 (60.1%) for 3,093 yards and 37 touchdowns to just seven interceptions and rushed 158 times for another 925 yards and 19 scores. But his poise and leadership may have stood out as much as any attributes, repeatedly stepping up in the biggest moments of even Dunham's less-pretty games to help win its first 13 on its way to the Superdome.   No. 1 [player_tooltip player_id='1250887' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — 6-0, 185 QB — Evangel Christian   Houston maintains Prep Redzone Louisiana's top spot in what may be the closest 1-2 race atop a class rankings since the site launched during the 2021 recruiting cycle. "Pop" somehow managed to in many ways exceed already-high expectations for his much-anticipated sophomore season, an all-state performance in which he completed 310 of his 443 passes (70.0%) for a state-leading 4,480 yards and 38 touchdowns, while also rushing for 690 yards and seven more scores in his first full varsity season — all including a national-record 817-yard effort in Week 6. Houston is the most polished passer in the state at this point in the players' developments, packs a rocket arm and also notable athleticism to extend plays or burn defenses for big gains on the ground if they lose contain.

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