Eye-catchers, notes from Louisiana vs. All Y'all Elite Camp

The inaugural Louisiana vs. All Y'all Elite Prospect Camp garnered a strong turnout this month — both in terms of numbers and Division-I talent — from every corner of the state.   Four overall MVPs and another 11 Outstanding Performers were selected by coaches to top a long list of standouts, some already familiar and highly ranked names and others to watch for in upcoming rounds of rankings updates.   Here's a look at the day's biggest eye-catchers, particularly in drill work and one-on-one competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='1618856' first='Darren' last='Coates Jr.'] — 5-11, 195 LB/EDGE — St. Augustine (2028)   One of Prep Redzone Louisiana's highest-ranked 2028 prospects for more than a year now made maybe as strong as case as anyone for the overall event MVP. Coates measured in a little over 5-foot-11 — a little shy of his listed 6-foot-1, but already in range of multiple linebackers at each year's NFL Scouting Combine — with a 74-inch wingspan. And once position drills (Coates spending time with both linebackers and edge rushers) and one-on-one competition began, he stood out at much as any participant in any group with his explosiveness, quickness and all-around agility slipping, spinning and dipping past blockers to win nearly every rep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1291430' first='Ja'Juan' last='Jackson'] — 6-1, 215 QB — St. James (2028)   The wind presented some challenges for a strong and 2027-heavy quarterback group, but Jackson was consistent enough in delivering darts to receivers in stride and deep shots down the field to be selected as the top passer and one of just two underclassmen in the top group otherwise loaded with rising seniors. The relative veteran, already with two years of varsity starting experience under his belt, measured in at a legit 6-foot-1, stood tall to maximize that frame and rifled passes all over the field with quick, confident release.   [player_tooltip player_id='1610246' first='Trey' last='Martin'] — 5-9, 197 RB/DB — Franklin Parish (2027)   The highest-ranked prospect on hand lived up to that status with his quick feet and explosive burst upfield throughout drills. Martin's natural athleticism and feel for the game — with his vision and anticipation as a running back or safety and his fluidity and ball skills as either a pass-catcher or defender — helped him stand out early in his career. He has gotten considerably bigger and stronger during the past year at now pushing 200 pounds and put an all-state junior campaign on film. And while he is still early in his development, he has continued to solidify himself among the best 2027 backs in the state and country.   Elijah Menville — 6-1, 270 OL — St. Augustine (2027)   Like Coates, another St. Augustine standout won nearly all of his one-on-one matchups in the trenches as the Purple Knights' rising senior center controlled the interior. Menville is a stout, strong athlete who — even in a setting without pads that tends to favor defenders — consistently beat rushers to their spot with his lateral quickness and balance, promptly stood them up and then kept control to keep them away from the quarterback.   Quarterbacks   Alexandria star [player_tooltip player_id='1250281' first='Karsen' last='Sellers'] was recognized among additional "Outstanding Performers," joining Jackson in edging out fellow rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='742755' first='Peyton' last='Clement'] (Covenant Christian) and [player_tooltip player_id='934573' first='Max' last='Gassiott'] (Central), rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1618849' first='Jaelle' last='Noble'] (St. Augustine) and rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1597357' first='Brylan' last='Washington'] (Parkway) among a closely packed group of six top quarterbacks.   Wide receivers   Three rising senior wide receivers garnered "Outstanding Performer" recognition. Parkway star Gary Burney Jr. has great size for the next level at 6-foot-4 and 184 pounds and an 80-inch wingspan and made several big catches using both his vertical speed and his leap and catch radius to separate from defenders. Speedy St. Augustine standout Derrick Bennett Jr. was among the top athletic-testers, which clearly translated into one-on-ones with his field-stretching ability, but he also showed the ability to make tough catches through contact. And Raki Lee — who stood out working with his St. James teammate in Jackson — may have gotten himself open as consistently as any targets with his crisp routes and breaks. The tight end field was limited, but rising junior St. Augustine tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1372182' first='Kamari' last='Navarre'] impressed coaches with his performance. Rising Franklin Parish senior Kaiden Seals, who will play quarterback this fall, also turned some heads at wide receiver.   Running backs   Rising Covenant Christian junior [player_tooltip player_id='1851108' first='Braydon' last='Percle'], fresh off a breakout sophomore season already thrust into a major role, joined Martin atop the running back selections with Grant's Aymaud Sykes (2027), Franklin Parish's D.J. Neal (2028) and Parkway's Aldavius Johnson (2029) among other standouts garnering particular praise.   Trenches   Menville was joined in the offensive line group by Outstanding Performer selections in South Lafourche rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1783006' first='Beau' last='Georges'] and Sam Houston rising junior Jaxin Smith. Rising senior Alexandria tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1612716' first='Peter' last='Lofton'] and rising junior St. Augustine tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1845261' first='Jayden' last='Taylor'] also had strong day on that side of the ball, and rising sophomore West Feliciana tackle Dakirai Straughter emerged as a young prospect to monitor.   Familiar face [player_tooltip player_id='1857072' first='Kane' last='Mitchell'], a rising junior at Warren Easton, was a rare two-way standout at the event with some good reps going both ways — an always-impressive feat among the trench group. And St. Augustine interior lineman Dominick Lloyd and Plaquemine edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='2092495' first='Jason' last='Crockett']   Defensive backs/Linebackers   A pair of rising senior defensive backs in [player_tooltip player_id='1356155' first='Jaylon' last='Owens'] (Opelousas) and Zaidyn Jolly (Holy Cross) and a rising junior in [player_tooltip player_id='2056678' first='Raymond' last='Harris'] III (Alexandria) earned Outstanding Performer selections among the defensive backs, and Huntington rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1992251' first='Braydon' last='Cummings'] joined them at linebacker. That quartet topped good groups overall with [player_tooltip player_id='1537440' first='Ar'Mon' last='Allen'] (St. Augustine), Collin Rideau (Opelousas), [player_tooltip player_id='1246172' first='Caleb' last='Trueblood'] (St. Augustine), [player_tooltip player_id='1782728' first='Jayd'n' last='Washington'] (East Ascension) and [player_tooltip player_id='1611413' first='Letravious' last='Williams'] (Alexandria) among a few other names of note.

The inaugural Louisiana vs. All Y'all Elite Prospect Camp garnered a strong turnout this month — both in terms of numbers and Division-I talent — from every corner of the state.