Louisiana 2028 rankings update countdown: Nos. 20-11

The 2025 high school football season is less than two weeks 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 100-man list for the 2028 cycle hits the site this week. And, along with the update, we will count down the top 30 prospects in greater detail, including some familiar faces but also a few new additions.   Here's a look at Nos. 20-11.   <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=kw--PfsqIRA </div></figure>   No. 20 — [player_tooltip player_id='1291430' first='Ja'Juan' last='Jackson'] — 6-1, 205 QB — St. James   and No. 19 — [player_tooltip player_id='1372164' first='Carson' last='Gurzi'] — 6-1, 200 — Carencro   Prep Redzone Louisiana's top two quarterbacks in the class early in the group's development remain tightly linked in the rankings with some similarities after being thrown into the fire as freshmen for programs with notable traditions and expectations. Both young passers showed good toughness navigating the pressures both of the role and stages and of opposing defenses, getting back up and continuing to lead their teams — whether Gurzi though the lumps of Class 5A schedule, or Jackson to the Division-III Non-Select title game in the Superdome. Both have shown the ability to rope pretty deep balls to their weapons down the field. And while neither is likely to put up eye-popping times in a footrace, the quarterbacks have shown the mobility to elude opposing pass rushes and pick up yardage on the ground when necessary and the arms to be able to make some throws on the move.   The 2028 class still has three high school seasons ahead, and Jackson and Gurzi will be two particularly interesting players to watch this season to gauge their development in their second year as starters with some valuable early experience under their belts.   <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=0j9HbJ2eu4Q </div></figure>   No. 18 — [player_tooltip player_id='1618868' first='A'khiree' last='Parker'] — 6-1, 165 WR — Terrebonne   As noted in the first segment of the rankings countdown, Louisiana's 2028 class appears increasingly loaded with high-end wide receiver talent, and Parker has been among the early standouts — including a Troy offer already kicking off his recruitment. Whether on the football field or the basketball court, the Tigers' intriguing two-sport athlete is smooth with a long frame and quick feet and hands that all combine to give him intriguing potential as a route-runner and pass-catcher.   No. 17 — [player_tooltip player_id='1802167' first='Kameron' last='Grisby'] — 6-2, 175 DB — University Lab   The first of debut prospects in this range of the countdown, Grisby is a long, lean athlete expected to see action this sophomore season at both cornerback and wide receiver. The multisport standout, also a baseball player for the Cubs, is still early in his development and evaluation, but appears to run well and do a good job tracking the ball in the air for deflections or receptions depending on which side of the ball he's playing. Mississippi State extended his first offer this summer.   <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=SkINl6jyhko </div></figure>   No. 16 — [player_tooltip player_id='1618851' first='Darrell' last='Taylor'] — 6-1, 180 WR — John Ehret   Taylor earned a ranking this past winter after just a brief glimpse on a couple catches during a game during his freshman season and, while there's still only limited film available, each clip looks increasingly like the Patriots' budding playmaker may be the next star receiver to know coming out of the New Orleans West Bank. He has good size and a solid build, appears to run well and has shown his ability to make tougher catches in tight coverage, through contact or keeping his feet down along the sideline.   No. 15 — [player_tooltip player_id='1619779' first='Jaden' last='Keelen'] — 6-0, 190 DB — John Curtis   An early Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite in the class, "JKee" is a strong, versatile defensive back who plays as aggressively and physicality as any in the class — whether using his hands to throw receivers off their releases or as a willing tackler when closing in on ball-carriers or receivers after the catch. Keelen has also enjoyed some great early traction on the recruiting trail with several offers already arriving, including SEC programs such as Auburn, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.   <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=7STlw-65UwM </div></figure>   No. 14 — [player_tooltip player_id='1263234' first='Kason' last='Williams'] — 6-1, 190 RB/ATH — Alexandria   and No. 13 — [player_tooltip player_id='1375178' first='Noble' last='Williams'] — 5-11, 190 RB — Alexandria   Folks around the state may wonder how the Trojans' run game will look this season after graduating a pair of seniors, including a highly ranked LSU signee. But the sophomore duo of Williamses have the Alexandria backfield in strong hands for years to come. The shorter, stouter Noble showed some good vision and power through contact on some available freshman film, including a couple explosive runs, and tested well at his age at LSU camp this summer with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and 9-foot-1-inch broad jump. Kason meanwhile is a little taller and longer and has stood out early for his versatility with freshman film loaded with clips working at H-back as a sure-handed safety valve in the passing game.   No. 12 — [player_tooltip player_id='1845258' first='Jordan' last='Collins'] — 6-5, 305 OL — Destrehan   The younger of two Collins brothers bookending the Wildcats offensive line is poised to hold down the left tackle spot this fall as just a sophomore for the title-hopeful Wildcats. And Jordan debuts here just outside the top 10 for his class as one of the top-tier of young blockers early in their development. He has a tall, long frame, wears his weight well and possesses good athleticism and mobility at his size, including a basketball background so many talented linemen have had through the years and some strong early broad jumps.   No. 11 — [player_tooltip player_id='228925' first='Lucas' last='Owens Jr.'] — 5-10, 185 RB/LB — Minden   Owens is one of Louisiana's top young running backs, one of the first-ranked and highest-ranked in the class and the first to begin garnering recruiting attention, including a Tulane offer. The Crimson Tide standout's strong build and good balance make him effective working through or bouncing off contact, and he has breakaway speed — listed as a 4.59-second 40-yard dash — when he hits the corner or a running lane. He has also shown the ability to be a reliable pass-catcher when called upon to do so.

The 2025 high school football season is less than two weeks 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.