Louisiana 2026 rankings update countdown: Nos. 50-41

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 begins 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. 50-41.     No. 50 — [player_tooltip player_id='1414464' first='Jiwaun' last='Brock'] — 5-11, 160 WR — Covington   Texas State may end up with a bit of a steal in the slight, but quick and explosive route-runner and pass-catcher who does a nice job of putting defenders off balance with his shiftiness and getting downfield in a hurry for huge plays that helped highlight his 54-catches, 887-yard junior season during which he averaged 16.4 yards per catch. And, with his athleticism and confidence, Brock often plays bigger than his size with a knack for going up over taller opponents and double coverage and snatching even acrobatic receptions.   No. 49 — [player_tooltip player_id='710969' first='Gregory' last='Wilfred'] — 5-9, 165 WR — Edna Karr   Another of Louisiana's smaller, but dynamic receivers in the senior class, some of the best insight for which one could ask on Wilfred may come from top defensive backs around the state and region who have praised his quickness and route-running and the challenges they present in attempting to cover him. "G Smoke" has been a key weapon for Destrehan the past two years, was the top-performing receiver at this spring's Under Armour Next camp in New Orleans and should have the opportunity to enjoy a huge senior season at Edna Karr with the benefit of a senior quarterback and and offense with a consistent track record for receivers putting up big numbers.   No. 48 — [player_tooltip player_id='1243414' first='Jayden' last='Reed'] — 5-11, 175 DB — Neville   One of a pair of Neville standouts and of three Ragin' Cajuns commits in this first segment of the rankings countdown, Reed has been the more under-sung on the recruiting trail of his Tigers' special safety duo after an injury sophomore year. But he earned all-state honors as a junior with a prolific campaign of 124 tackles, two sacks and one interception in which he showcased his ability as a defensive playmaker reliable in coverage and as a sure tackler with some pop.   No. 47 — [player_tooltip player_id='920618' first='Kristion' last='Brooks'] — 6-4, 180 WR — Zachary   The Broncos' two-sport standout and Ragin' Cajuns' commitment is among the state's tall, lean targets with the speed to consistently stretch the field vertically and be a dangerous weapon at his size in the quicker, shorter passing game. And his résumé has also included some highlight-reel flashes of catches over defensive backs that should only become a bigger part of his game when he gets to the next level and reaps the benefits of a college strength and nutrition program and a focus on football.   No. 46 — [player_tooltip player_id='920629' first='John' last='Johnson'] — 6-0, 170 ATH/QB — Edna Karr   The Cougars' star quarterback makes another leap up the rankings heading into his final high school season. "Hollywood" enjoyed a prolific junior season with nearly 3,400 yards and 34 touchdowns to eight interceptions as a passer, while also rushing for another 903 yards and 16 scores, despite being banged up during the season. Johnson has remained open to playing another position at the next level, which provides him some more flexibility as a prospect. And the Liberty commit flashed his impressive athleticism with the ball in his hands during the spring that provided an offseason reminder of the dynamic playmaking ability to watch for this fall and the potential versatility to be a difference-maker in a variety of ways at the next level.   No. 45 — [player_tooltip player_id='1238574' first='Ze'land' last='Young'] — 6-4, 190 — TE/WR — Neville   At the LSU "Friday Night Lights" camp this summer at which district rival [player_tooltip player_id='1257121' first='Ahmad' last='Hudson'] stole the show, Young somewhat quietly put together another of the top performances among the loaded group of pass-catchers. Young has been somewhat of a tweener listed early on as a wide receiver before being adjusted to the tight end list this winter, but he possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism in the class that make him of the state's most intriguing remaining uncommitted prospects   No. 44 — [player_tooltip player_id='457340' first='Desmen' last='Jefferson'] — 5-10, 175 WR — Ferriday   The Trojans' star remembers growing up watching one of his predecessors in that role, current offensive coordinator Devante Scott, playing for Southeastern Louisiana and committed this summer to following those footsteps at the next level. While Jefferson doesn't have the size some bigger programs seek on the recruiting trail, he's as quick as any in the state and catches everything thrown his way, including 35 receptions for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior for a ridiculous 25.4-yard average per touch.   No. 43 — [player_tooltip player_id='401735' first='Antonio' last='Gladney'] — 5-10, 175 ATH — Parkway   The versatile athlete has been a longstanding Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite in the class from freshman year on. And while he's missed some time and hasn't quite yet put together some of the consistency and bigger numbers we had anticipated, Gladney is a smooth, sure-handed athlete who doesn't shy away from physicality and has the ability to be among the state's top running backs, receivers or safeties.   No. 42 — [player_tooltip player_id='1238188' first='Roderick' last='Bingham'] — 6-1, 160 DB — Plaquemine   Another jump up the list for the Ragin' Cajuns' commit who we had a chance to see live a few times this offseason where he excelled in both spring ball and 7-on-7 tournaments with his combination of fluidity and ball skills in coverage and ability to unload some explosive hits across the middle of the field. His junior numbers included 93 tackles, eight stops behind the line, four forced fumbles, two recoveries and five interceptions, and he and his Green Devils' defense have the opportunity to be among the best in Class 4A again this fall.   No. 41 — [player_tooltip player_id='1237612' first='Damari' last='Drake'] — 6-0, 215 LB — Evangel Christian   The Eagles' all-state standout is one of Louisiana's top tier of linebackers and top remaining uncommitted prospects. Drake initially hit the radar as a two-way standout with intriguing underclassman film at running back, and the burst shown on some of those early breakaway runs displayed this past fall as good closing speed for a tackle machine with 150 stops, including 12 for loss, and a victory-sealing pick-six in the first round of the playoffs.

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.