Louisiana 2027 rankings update countdown: Nos. 40-31

The 2025 high school football season is less than a month away — during which time Prep Redzone Louisiana is in the process of releasing rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and the first watch list for the incoming 2029 class.   A new 185-man list for the 2027 cycle hits the site this week. And, along with the update, 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. 40-31.   No. 40 — [player_tooltip player_id='934574' first='Hendrix' last='Hill'] — 5-11, 175 WR — Isidore Newman   The son of former LSU and NFL linebacker Eric Hill is a much different athlete from his father as a smaller, quicker slot receiver — along with some background at running back. But as much as Hendrix's feet and speed stand out as a vertical threat capable of stretching the field, so do his strong hands and toughness through contact as he shows the ability to absorb big hits from defenders and still come down with highlight-reel catches.   No. 39 — [player_tooltip player_id='1801050' first='Jaden' last='Bayonne'] — 6-6, 275 DL — Alexandria   The Trojans' big defensive end possesses the combination of strength and athleticism in his big frame that make him a potentially versatile lineman across the front that has started to catch colleges' attention, including Louisiana (Lafayette) and UNLV offers and LSU interest. On his sophomore film, Bayonne's powerful upper body and motor stood out as he consistently threw aside blockers and pursued plays behind the line of scrimmage or to the outside.   No. 38 — [player_tooltip player_id='1356168' first='Ja'ir' last='Burks'] — 5-10, 155 WR — Jesuit   The Blue Jays' speedster moves up a few spots after an offseason of torching elite times on both the track and the college camp circuit. Burks ran 13.62- and 38.18-second 110- and 300-meter hurdles at outdoor state championships in May and 4.35- and 4.40-second 40-yard dashes at Tulane and LSU camps in June. His speed, fluidity and reliable hands give him the potential to develop into one of the state's top deep threats.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sJJT-eBSBg </div></figure>   No. 37 — [player_tooltip player_id='1782867' first='Prentice' last='Mackyeon Jr.'] — 6-1, 180 DB — John Curtis   One of the highest-rankings debuts in this round of rankings updates, the Patriots' defensive back is a player we'd like to see more in person before slotting too high, but who has intriguing early film — and, for that matter, some intriguing early recruiting traction — that suggest he could be on the rise sooner than later. Mackyeon is quick and wiry on film, anticipating plays in coverage, playing fast and securely wrapping up tackles in space.   No. 36 — [player_tooltip player_id='1356113' first='Marvin' last='Joseph'] — 6-0, 170 DB/ATH — Central (Baton Rouge)   The Wildcats threw a lot at Joseph this past fall as just a sophomore, and the versatile athlete excelled in every opportunity provided from safety and running back to even wildcat quarterback and special teams playmaker when called upon on the team's way to its first state title since the 1960s. This year, he's one of the returning leaders and top athletes for a group eager to follow-up that historic run with another strong season to prove the program can become a consistent, annual contender.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKYwcPa0iys </div></figure>   No. 35 — [player_tooltip player_id='423247' first='Dylan' last='Henry'] — 5-11, 160 DB — Mandeville   Henry has been one of the highly ranked defensive back prospects in a strong class for the position group since the beginning of his high school career and emerged as a sophomore as not only a starter, but a young leader on his Skippers' defense. The smart, instinctive safety is just as comfortable and confident playing the back end of the defense as he is playing physically in run support or tackling in space on the perimeter.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rabor8Qz1WQ </div></figure>   No. 34 — [player_tooltip player_id='934589' first='Collin' last='DiBetta'] — 5-11, 175 WR — Acadiana   Another familiar face on the Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings, DiBetta hit the radar as a speedy deep threat already racking up explosive plays downfield in varsity 7-on-7 during the summer prior to his freshman year and quickly developed into a go-to target for older brother Caden during the past two seasons. Now, he'll have the chance to step into a bigger leadership role as a junior and to work with a new starting quarterback for the first time in his high school career. But, if another exciting summer of 7-on-7 action is any indication, the Wreckin' Rams look poised for another effective season moving the ball more in the passing game than their veer option offense had historically been associated — and with the middle DiBetta brother again a focal point.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2OjdCb6A5I </div></figure>   No. 33 — [player_tooltip player_id='934571' first='Bryson' last='Phoenix'] — 6-2, 230 EDGE — Alexandria   The big, explosive edge rusher has been on the Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings throughout his high school career, and this fall finally represents an opportunity for a much-anticipated pay-off season after two years of patience, perseverance and work behind the scenes because of an injury and a transfer in back-to-back years. Now, he'll have his chance to translate to the field some of the flashes from limited glimpses we've seen thus far that have placed him highly on these lists.   No. 32 — [player_tooltip player_id='723530' first='Ashton' last='Stark'] — 5-10, 160 WR/DB — Lutcher   The Bulldogs' three-phase weapon is one of the quickest, most fluid athletes in the class and has consistently shown thus far in his career his willingness and ability to impact the game in any role asked of him. His quick speed and vertical speed help make him dangerous as a receiver and returner and allow him to close on plays in a hurry on defense where he arrives as a willing tackler.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INNVKnxBEHY </div></figure>   No. 31 — [player_tooltip player_id='1783095' first='Justin' last='Batiste'] — 6-1, 200 RB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   Batiste earns the highest debut in this round of rankings and gives his Bears a pair of running backs in the top 50 prospects overall of the state's junior class. He was limited to junior varsity action this past fall as a sophomore, but is expected to play a major role in the title hopeful's backfield as a junior and has the look of an FBS and potentially Power-Five recruit. Batiste has good size for the next level, an explosive burst upfield and reliable hands as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, and he consistently blew through attempted tackles for yards after contact in JV action.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eViL1ikuN8Y </div></figure>

The 2025 high school football season is less than a month away — during which time Prep Redzone Louisiana is in the process of releasing rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and the first watch list for the incoming 2029 class.