6 Louisiana RBs whose recruitments could pick up this offseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The NCAA's latest recruiting dead period has wrapped up, and prospects are beginning to make and schedule trips to college campuses the rest of the spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Prep Redzone Louisiana has detailed in recent weeks, several prospects around the state have already started receiving new offers as the offseason ramps up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And many more will be joining as programs will continue to adjust their recruiting boards, host prospects on campus and get verified measurements and athletic testing numbers through those visits, the camp circuits and outdoor track season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at six running backs around the state whose recruitments haven't taken off just yet (at least in terms of many offers) or potentially have lulled some after earlier offers, but whom we expect to gain some traction in the months ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Celestine — 5-10, 190 RB — Comeaux</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the bigger storylines to watch in Louisiana high school football in the coming months is where Celestine lands for his senior season after a recent school board vote to close Comeaux at the end of this school year. Celestine has been a culture- and game-changer for a program that grinded through three winless seasons before a 5-5 mark this fall with the workhorse back as a clear headliner, district and metro MVP. Celestine is a tough runner with good vision who racked up 1,634 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior. He's already been on several college radars round the reason, but more coaches than ever should see him in person this offseason and likely this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brandon Craig — 5-7, 160 RB — Haughton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smallest athlete on this list put up some of the biggest numbers in the state, particularly in just a 10-game season. Craig racked up 1,345 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground and another 779 yards and eight scores receiving — showing the type of versatility that can help increase his odds of finding an opportunity and succeeding at the next level. His highlight reel shows quick feet and changes of direction at high speed and several breakaway plays on which he accelerates and blows by entire opposing defenses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402701' first='Malachi' last='Dabney'] — 5-9, 190 RB — Destrehan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats' bell-cow is the lone LSWA first-team all-state selection on this list of productive and decorated ball-carriers, and he did so at Louisiana's highest classification level with 1,733 yards and 31 touchdowns on 181 carries. Dabney isn't going to torch the top track or 40-yard times among his peers, but he is tough, sees the field well, consistently appears to only get stronger late in and popped his share of explosive runs with averages for nearly 10 yards per carry and nearly 160 yards per contest all against solid competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610266' first='Daniel' last='Hatcher'] — 5-11, 215 RB/ATH — Jena</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Probably the top college prospect on a historic Giants team this fall that reached a title game for the first time ever with his efforts compiling 1,777 yards and 25 touchdowns on 192 carries among the highlights. Hatcher is one of the strongest, most physical athletes on this list with a knack for lowering his shoulder and overpowering attempted tackles, but also showing good speed in the open field when given a lane and an opportunity to gain steam. The deep playoff run exponentially ramped up the college coaches who got a chance to see him this winter, and he should be active this offseason putting himself out there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611386' first='Dashun' last='Lightfoot'] — 5-10, 195 RB/ATH — Acadiana</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lightfoot is another already highly productive running back who will don a new jersey in his final high school season. The versatile, two-way standout early LSWA Class 2A all-state honorable-mention status this fall for Franklin with 1,332 rushing yards, 830 receiving yards, 230 return yards and a combined 26 touchdowns, plus five interceptions as one of the best, if not the best, receiving threats on this list. And we expect an offseason in Acadiana's strength and conditioning, track and field and football programs to serve him well in his continued development. The nearby Ragin' Cajuns are in steady contact, and other programs around the state are also recruiting him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2090917' first='Justin' last='Williams'] — 5-9, 200 RB — Southside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stoutest athlete on this list is a powerful bowling ball of a runner with a strong lower body and good overall balance that make him effective through and after contact, but he also shows quick feet to dance through contact and enough speed to bust long runs against good competition with a 4.25-second shuttle and 4.50-second 40-yard dash at the Prep Redzone Louisiana Stock Up Showcase in January. He rushed for 1,892 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior in a Sharks backfield with plenty of mouths to feed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->