Louisiana’s first 2026 commitments as cycle ramps up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 recruiting cycle is ramping up swiftly now that the traditional February signing day for the 2025 class is in the rearview mirror.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And 10 of Louisiana's top prospects have already announced college commitments before even wrapping up their junior years of school.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Home-state power LSU has kicked off its own 2026 class with six in-state pledges, while another in-state program, another SEC program and a program farther from home but with a growing recruiting pipeline to The Boot have all also landed early wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 320 DL — Edna Karr —&gt; LSU (June 21, 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Big Rich" kicked off Louisiana's commitment action last summer, even before his all-state junior campaign and flat-out dominant state-title game. The big defensive lineman can not only completely clog the inside running game, but is explosive and cat-quick as an interior disruptor capable of consistently winning his matchups and making highlight-reel plays behind the line. He maintained during his junior season that he was open to other college pitches, but LSU has maintained its positioning and appears determined to keep Anderson home at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920613' first='Jakai' last='Anderson'] — McDonogh 35 —&gt; LSU (June 22, 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Anderson in New Orleans, but a much different athlete, added LSU's second commitment of the 2026 class during a successful Friday Night Lights recruiting weekend for the Tigers. Jakai, nicknamed "Fatt," is a dynamic pass-catcher and versatile weapon on both offensive and special teams who went on to an all-state selection this fall with explosive yards-per-touch averages on receptions, runs or returns alike with his quickness and speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401967' first='Jalan' last='Chapman'] — 6-4, 285 OL — Warren Easton —&gt; LSU (July 28, 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LSU kept its early recruiting momentum in New Orleans rolling through the back half of the summer with the commitment of the powerful and versatile offensive lineman. Chapman, who likely projects inside at the next level, has played both tackle and guard for his Eagles. He's possesses great natural strength and moves well when asked to pull across the formation, get out to the perimeter or up to the second level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Edna Karr —&gt; LSU (Aug. 3, 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers landed their fourth New Orleans commitment heading into the fall when Hall, one of the state's two highly ranked national-standout safeties announced his commitment. The long, rangy athlete is a fast, physical force who flies around the field both sideline to sideline and crashing downhill as an explosive tackler in run support or to disrupt short and intermediate routes. And when given the opportunity to make a play on a pass in his direction, the all-state performer shows great burst and ball skills to snatch interceptions as he did to set off the Cougars' title-game rout with his early pick-six. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 175 WR — Airline —&gt; LSU (Nov. 12, 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louisiana's leading receiver this fall with 100 catches for 1,764 yards and 24 touchdowns received his offer from the home-state Tigers at the end of the regular season and needed just three days to commit. Darby shows good speed, the ability to create separation at any level of the field with his route-running and a knack for making big plays in the air as he attacks the ball at its highest point with his timing, quick leap, body control, long arms and strong hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603222' first='Javen' last='Holmes'] — 6-2, 200 DB/LB — Madison Prep —&gt; Louisiana (Lafayette) (Dec. 13, 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Louisiana's high school football world was largely congregated in Caesars Superdome and focused on state championships, the Ragin' Cajuns somewhat quietly landed the Chargers' versatile, under-the-radar defensive standout in another nice in-state find for coach Michael Desormeaux and company. Holmes is a long, rangy athlete who looks just as comfortable covering huge chunks of ground in covering and playing near the line of scrimmage as a reliable, hard-hitting tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237632' first='Ari' last='Slocum'] — 6-4, 275 DL/TE — Union Parish —&gt; LSU (Jan. 27, 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arkansas dipped into north Louisiana for a quick recruiting steal of the Farmers' versatile trench athlete. Slocum has worked as much in high school as anywhere on the field as a big tight end often serving as a highly effective blocker with the ability to occasionally burn defenses who don't respect his reliability and athleticism as a receiving threat. But he has been reported to most likely play defense in Fayetteville, Ark., where his size, length, strength, bend, explosiveness and athleticism could make him a versatile weapon only the front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920629' first='John' last='Johnson'] — Edna Karr —&gt; LSU (Feb. 2, 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars' quarterback saw recruiting traction pick up — both at that position, as well as as a potential athlete — in the wake of a breakout junior campaign that pushed him into the mix of the most productive passers in the state. Johnson completed 194 of his 296 passes (65.5%) for 3,398 yards and 34 touchdowns to just eight interceptions, while also rushing 103 times for 903 yards and 16 more scores. And he appeared to quickly find a fit with a winning FBS program intrigued by his dual-threat potential to continue developing as a signal-caller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237623' first='Maurice' last='Williams'] Jr. — Edna Karr —&gt; LSU (Feb. 4, 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty added to what proved to be a hugely successful weekend visit by adding a second Edna Karr prospect in a matter of days as one of the Cougars' standout cornerbacks announced his pledge. Williams, nicknamed "Moe," is a quick, instinctive defensive back who has shown flashes from early in his career of his knack for making plays on the ball, and he has continued to develop physically into an increasingly intriguing college prospect — including several Power Four offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 290 OL — East Ascension —&gt; LSU (Feb. 13, 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LSU added one of the nation's top offensive tackle prospects last week as Louisiana's most recent commitment — and the Tigers' closest to home yet for the 2026 class, just across the parish line in Gonzales. Martinez is a prototypical tackle as the next level with his tall, long frame, his combination of power and mobility and his tenacity to his blocking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->