Louisiana DL/LBs announce commitments | June recruiting round-up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hectic June of recruiting activity saw dozens of rising seniors announce college commitments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the defensive linemen, linebackers and edge rushers who helped headline the decisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602194' first='Tavon' last='Bell'] — 6-3, 255 DL/EDGE — Franklin Parish —&gt; Texas State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first college decision for the Patriots' talented defensive line crew came from Bell, who announced his plans to take his talent to San Marcos, Texas, at the next level, giving the Bobcats a physical and versatile athlete up front in their 2026 commitment class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1345265' first='Will' last='Berry'] — 6-4, 250 EDGE/DL — Jesuit —&gt; Princeton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another versatile and highly ranked Prep Redzone Louisiana defensive lineman will be headed to the Ivy League in the 2026 cycle with the commitment of the Blue Jays' star. Berry has been a standout for Jesuit primarily at defensive end during his high school career, but is a balanced playmaker up front with a frame and strong build that make him effective sliding inside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401954' first='Dylan' last='Berymon'] — 6-3, 305 DL — Ouachita Parish —&gt; Texas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Longhorns ultimately won out for the Ouachita Parish star, a big, explosive defensive tackle who has lived in the top 10 of Prep Redzone Louisiana's 2026 rankings throughout his high school career with flashes of some of the highest potential in the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Julian Coleman — 6-0, 310 DL — Terrebonne —&gt; Arkansas-Monticello</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Boll Weevils have started making a tradition out of not only dipping into Louisiana, but specifically into the Bayou Parishes in the southeast corner of The Boot, and look poised to continue that run with the commitment of the Tigers' stout nose tackle, a run-stuffing anchor in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1737010' first='Tyray' last='Darensburg'] — 6-1, 215 LB — Chalmette —&gt; South Alabama</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The hyper-productive linebacker is a stout, strong athlete that navigates traffic well, quickly sheds blocks, shows a solid closing burst when freed up to pursue the passer or ball-carrier and then reliably wraps up plays when he arrives to the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1737064' first='Devin' last='Franklin'] — 6-4, 210 LB/EDGE — Oak Grove —&gt; Louisiana (Lafayette)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of a couple in-state defensive additions to the class the Ragin' Cajuns were able to land in June, the younger brother of former Oklahoma State signee Kam Franklin is a similarly big, physical and versatile athlete who has played all over the field has a hard-hitting safety for his Tigers, but looks poised to be utilized more in the box as a potential hybrid outside linebacker at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603204' first='Lenord' last='Howard'] — 6-3, 280 DL — Westgate —&gt; McNeese State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' big defensive tackle has a chance to be a steal for the nearby Cowboys. Howard is now listed another two inches taller that his previous measurements and shows strong, quick hands he uses to rip past blockers inside and generate interior pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920696' first='Smoltz' last='Lilly'] — 6-3, 230 EDGE — West Monroe —&gt; Navy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new Navy commitment is a strong, tenacious edge rusher who shows good initial burst out of his two- or three-point stance, a high motor powering his way through blocks and chasing down opposing passers and running backs and a strong upper body and hands that ball-carriers can rarely escape once he makes contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1345252' first='Tyrone' last='Morgan'] — 6-4, 230 DL/EDGE — Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) —&gt; Baylor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The versatile defensive lineman became the latest Louisiana recruiting win for coach Dave Aranda and his Bears as they earned the commitment of the all-district Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) standout, an explosive edge rusher who was strong and physical enough to excel on inside during his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1737066' first='Jordan' last='Pinnock'] — 6-5, 235 EDGE — University Lab —&gt; Louisiana (Lafayette)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ragin' Cajuns have consistently recruited the Baton Rouge area well and look poised to land a U-High defensive standout for the second straight class with the pledge of the long, tenacious defensive end with strong, violent hands that have made him an effective two-way player during his high school career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602018' first='Scott' last='Smith Jr.'] —&nbsp;6-5, 220 EDGE/DL —&nbsp;Central (Baton Rouge) —&gt; Houston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second straight cycle, coach Willie Fritz and company dipped back into Louisiana and landed one of the state's top defensive linemen out of Central High. The long, athletic defensive end is a multisport standout who is also a key piece of his Wildcats' basketball team. Smith had a couple offseason injuries stunt his recruitment a bit by limiting his spring and summer activity, but Houston had seen enough, trusted its evaluation and look poised to land a prospect in whom hometown LSU and other SEC programs had shown interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->