8 defensive prospects having 'statement' senior seasons

Louisiana is never shy on talent — and that includes talent that may develop, uncover or find its most impactful fit at different paces.   Every year, seniors around the state have breakout performances in their final high school seasons or raise their recruiting stock as a result of clear development, increased opportunities or rises to occasions in big-spotlight games.   Here's a look at eight seniors on the defensive side of the ball who have caught the state's attention, whether largely for the first time, or just in a bigger or more consistent way — which, in some cases, has been so impressive as to be almost impossible to ignore.   Important to note: This list is not attempting to claim the eight best 2026 prospects or eight best senior performances, but rather eight notable breakouts, stock-risers, eye-catchers and cases being made for stronger rankings and recruiting consideration.     Jayden Arceneaux — 5-10, 205 EDGE/LB — Lafayette Christian   The versatile senior defender has quietly the steadiest and most productive careers in the program's young, but proud history and is capping that legacy with easily his biggest season this fall. Arceneaux's 23.5 tackles for loss have already long surpassed last year's total (16.0) and have him in the top three single-season totals in program history and helped him overtake the career record with his 42.5 and counting. He has moved around different roles in the box during that time and is excelling this season in more of an edge-rusher role than an off-ball linebacker where he played more as a junior.   [player_tooltip player_id='710967' first='Chantz' last='Babineaux'] — 6-0, 185 ATH — Carencro (Nicholls State)   As mentioned in the offensive article, Babineaux is the lone prospect featured on both lists, as he continues to put together one of the most impressive all-around seasons around the state among Louisiana's leader in both receiving on offense and interceptions on defense. The expectation has seemed to become to more likely play offense in college, but Babineaux has been an effective and versatile defensive back throughout his prep career as well with the size and physicality to play safety, but now excelling in more corner reps locking down his side of the field and snatching attempts his way at a high rate with great patience, instincts and ball skills.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602036' first='Josh' last='Barthelemy'] — 5-11, 185 DB/LB — South Plaquemines   The reigning Division-IV Non-Select champion Hurricanes were tasked this year with replacing a sizable graduated senior group — turnover that left uncertainty whether the small-school program might need another year or two to regroup to title-contention levels. But South Plaquemines looks poised for another deep run with its combination of returning standouts like Barthelemy rolling smoothly along as the next crew of senior leaders along with some good young talented stepping up early in their career. Barthelemy has been a tackle machine, all over the field for an average of more than 10 stops per contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1011625' first='Romeo' last='Brown'] — 6-3, 245 EDGE — Edna Karr   and [player_tooltip player_id='1601790' first='Kevin' last='Martin Jr.'] — 6-0, 190 LB — Edna Karr   The reigning Division-I Select state champion Cougars remain absolutely loaded all over the field and particularly at every level o their defense. Brown and Martin are two of the seniors who took on expanded roles this season in succession of graduated 2025 standouts, and both have excelled in the opportunity. LSU-committed defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] is a fulcrum of the defense up front who commands attention from opposing offensive lines, and Brown and Martin have been among Edna Karr's other notably talented and disruptive athletes capable of winning matchups, flying around the field and unloading for one highlight-reel, hard-hitting stop after another whether Brown consistently making his way into the backfield or Martin getting sideline to sideline.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612657' first='Darius' last='Mack'] — 6-1, 225 EDGE/DL — Madison Prep   and [player_tooltip player_id='1603236' first='Cannon' last='Walker'] — 6-2, 220 LB/EDGE — Madison Prep   The Chargers have been among Louisiana's top teams this season, as discussed some in this week's look at PRZLA's team "power scores," and their disruptive senior duo with matching 7.5-sack stat lines to date are among the many highlights that have the team in the mix for one of the top Division-II Select playoff seeds and appearing poised for a deep postseason run. Both players have shown the versatility and willingness to step into various roles and responsibilities around the all-around stout defensive unit — Mack working more along the front, and Walker showing the ability to drop back in space and snatch an occasional interception to go with his big numbers making player behind the line of scrimmage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1601781' first='Xzavier' last='White'] — 6-1, 240 LB — Alexandria   The Trojans have enjoyed several players — including talented future college prospects — making big steps and excelling in larger roles all over the defense this year. But White, while his tackle total isn't quite as eye-popping as it was during a breakout junior season, has remained a major leader and tone-setter and one of the state's top senior linebackers and has maintained a strong all-around stat sheet that includes 66 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks for a unit that has playmakers everywhere splitting up statistics.

Louisiana is never shy on talent — and that includes talent that may develop, uncover or find its most impactful fit at different paces.