Louisiana 2026 rankings update countdown: Nos. 30-21

The 2025 high school football season is now just one month away — during which time Prep Redzone Louisiana will release rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and the first watch list for the incoming 2029 class.   That process began this week with the senior class, a 350-man list for the 2026 cycle that includes dozens of prospects already committed to Division-I programs and even more still looking for their homes at the next level.   As part of the update release, we will count down the top 50 prospects in greater detail, including many familiar faces but also a few new additions.   Here's a look at Nos. 30-21.     No. 30 — [player_tooltip player_id='920695' first='Ke'Rynn' last='Smith'] — 5-9, 175 RB — Holy Cross   One of the top remaining uncommitted seniors in the state, Smith packs a strong build, good balance and track speed that enable him to work well through contact, including blowing through attempted arm tackles, and make him a home-run threat any time he has a seam or an angle to the outside. He's also a reliable weapon in the passing game with good ball skills and the ability to consistently create separation.   No. 29 — [player_tooltip player_id='1603222' first='Javen' last='Holmes'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Madison Prep   The Houston commit is one of the biggest rankings risers this offseason and a big win for the Cougars to pry him from home-state Louisiana (Lafayette). Holmes is a key leader for a Chargers group with title aspirations and a versatile ballhawk on the back of the defense with linebacker size and physicality, the sideline-to-sideline speed to slam passing windows shut in a hurry and the ball skills to turn any throw within in range into an interception (and make some highlight-reel receptions during this offseason's 7-on-7 action).   No. 28 — [player_tooltip player_id='924621' first='Brayden' last='Allen'] — 6-1, 175 WR — Lafayette Christian   The Knights' standout climbs to his highest ranking thus far after a breakout junior season and an offseason that included a commitment to home state Tulane. Allen is now listed two inches taller and 20 pounds stronger than his top-40 debut more than two years ago and has become a longer and more physical target to go with some of the speed and quickness that first hit the Prep Redzone Louisiana radar. He was a nearly 1,200-yard, 10-touchdown receiver this past season despite the team transitioning to a new starting quarterback and working through some early turmoil with a midseason coaching change — meaning optimism for a potentially even bigger season this fall.   No. 27 — [player_tooltip player_id='1601751' first='Jeremiah' last='Bushnell'] — 6-3, 185 WR — Iowa   One of the tallest, longest weapons in a strong receiver class around the state in 2026, Bushnell is a multisport standout with the ability to routinely make highlight-reel leaping, stretching and even one-handed catches. And, though his junior film was already impressive, he stood out as a more thickly built athlete than anticipated in in-person evaluation opportunities during the 7-on-7 season this spring, which fits with his 36 rushes for 392 yards and four touchdowns to go with his 1,100-yard receiving effort as a junior.   No. 26 — [player_tooltip player_id='1602194' first='Tavon' last='Bell'] — 6-3, 255 DL/EDGE — Franklin Parish   Bell is a big-bodied, versatile defensive lineman and multisport standout with the combination of power and athleticism that helps make him an effective, disruptive playmaker all over the defensive front. The Texas State commitment has a good get-off and is tenacious with a high motor and active hands. Bell was the highest-ranking debut on the list this past winter and remains solidly situated among the top group of defensive lineman coming out of The Boot in 2026.   No. 25 — [player_tooltip player_id='710968' first='Nathan' last='Green'] — 6-2, 195 ATH — Huntington   The Louisiana Tech commit is one of the state's top rising senior athletes, a longtime Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite who has shown the ability to play all over the field in all three phases with his frame, speed, physicality and ball skills. Green hasn't put it all together yet after an injury earlier in his career and now heading to his third school in as many years, but he brings a ton of potential to the Raiders and eventually to the Bulldogs.   No. 24 — [player_tooltip player_id='401749' first='Cole' last='Bergeron'] — 6-4, 210 QB — St. Thomas More   The Cougars' leader moved into the driver's seat as the state's top quarterback prospect with a strong offseason on the 7-on-7 and camp circuits and the recruiting trail — all leading up to his commitment this week to Virginia Tech over Colorado, Georgia Tech, UCLA and others. Bergeron has always had a big frame, strong arm and even-keel demeanor and this summer had some of his most consistent showings, including his stops at LSU and Virginia Tech.   No. 23 — [player_tooltip player_id='401967' first='Jalan' last='Chapman'] — 6-4, 285 OL — Warren Easton   One of the foundational members of LSU's recruiting class, Chapman committed to the home-state program last summer over a long list of other options, and the two sides have stuck together ever since. He is a stout, powerful blocker who has played all over his Eagles' offensive line, but has projected most likely on the inside when he moves up to Baton Rouge.   No. 22 — [player_tooltip player_id='1741290' first='Jackson' last='Williams'] — 6-2, 180 DB — Archbishop Shaw   The long, rangy defensive back was a standout safety for the Eagles' state championship team this past fall with a combination of instincts and hard-hitting tackling that made him a physical presence in the middle of the field. But he's in the process of transitioning this year to corner where Tulane coaches feel they have landed a steal with NFL potential with his frame, speed and fluidity.   No. 21 — [player_tooltip player_id='1601945' first='Trez' last='Davis'] — 6-0, 185 WR — West Monroe   The Rebels' receiver debuted in the top 50 this winter on the heels of his program record-setting junior campaign and makes another nice leap into the top 25 heading into senior year. Davis caught 53 passes for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns this past fall for the typically run-dominant attack and was also among the state's most committed and physical blockers on the perimeter, another facet of his game that stands out notably in the loaded class of pass-catchers.

The 2025 high school football season is now just one month away — during which time Prep Redzone Louisiana will release rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and the first watch list for the incoming 2029 class.