2028, 2029, 2030 notes from weekend 4th Quarter WR retreat

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several of Louisiana's most talented pass-catchers gathered Saturday at Lafayette Renaissance Charter for a small, invite-only 4th Quarter Mentality wide receiver retreat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The group of about 20 student-athletes, including a couple quarterbacks, featured prospects from the graduating 2026 class, the 2027 and 2028 cohorts now taking center stage in the recruiting world and a couple younger, but intriguing 2030 players to keep an eye on in the years ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Louisiana will spotlight a handful of each the rising seniors and the underclassman who stood out during the Easter-eve workout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at notes on a handful of 2028 and 2029 eye-catchers and even a couple 2030 names to knew early, and check out Monday's article for notes on a handful of rising seniors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1397984' first='Zion' last='Batiste'] — 6-2, 160 WR — Lafayette Renaissance Charter (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers' star had been limited, resting his way back from being banged up, the last Prep Redzone Louisiana saw him early this offseason, but was back to his typical self Saturday: a long, lean and quick wide receiver with some of the best hands and body control in the state. Batiste caught just about everything thrown his direction, including several leaping and one-handed catches hanging in the air and high-pointing the ball or smoothly tracking it over his shoulder in the back corner of the end zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1145834' first='Caiden' last='Bellard'] — 5-10, 190 RB — Lafayette Christian (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe the most recognizable name on this list from a regional and national standpoint after a recruiting blowup during the past two months, Bellard was also maybe the only pure running back at the workout ([player_tooltip player_id='934559' first='Javon' last='Vital Jr.'] will likely play as much running back at USC as anything, but is listed as an athlete and could just as well excel at receiver or defensive back). He earned all-state honors this fall as a workhorse on the ground, but has continued to showcase throughout this offseason's 7-on-7 and camp opportunities his effectiveness as a pass-catcher and continued development as a route-runner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1804134' first='Jacolby' last='Campbell'] — 6-1, 170 WR/ATH — Abbeville (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Abbeville star, who had a productive sophomore season on both sides of the ball, has — somewhat quietly compared to Bellard and a handful of other highly ranked peers — already emerged as one of the top prospects in Louisiana's 2028 class, and we think that process is still only just beginning. Campbell possesses a combination of a long frame, solid build, explosiveness and ball skills that will interest the vast majority of programs around the country during the next couple years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372189' first='Kenric' last='Johnson Jr.'] — 5-9, 155 ATH/WR — Riverside Academy (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The versatile athlete was among the earliest players in his class to be ranked by Prep Redzone Louisiana with his instincts, quickness, ball skills and confidence particularly at receiver and defensive back, but anywhere called upon. He is expected this fall to take on a bigger responsibility than ever in a more full-time quarterback role, but Saturday he was at work on his route-running and hands that should make him an intriguing target in the slot for some colleges around the state and region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Pellerin — 6-0, 175 QB — St. Thomas More (2029)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The event featured two quarterbacks spreading the ball around, a rising senior already with college offers in hand and the rising sophomore who is an intriguing young player to monitor for the years ahead. Pellerin is a strong, athletic prospect at the position with a good arm, the ability to put the ball into tight windows in key moments — which he's shown this spring on the 7-on-7 circuit — and a confident and even-keel demeanor that should serve him well at the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dallas Talton — Scott M. Brame Middle (2030)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two current eighth-graders joined the older athletes at the event and more than held their own with consistent performances. Talton is an explosive, fluid athlete with a track background who tracked the ball well and showed reliable hands, cleanly securing passes all over the field from hard-thrown comeback, digs and slants to short and intermediate levels to chasing down or watching in deeper shots over his shoulder. He is currently wrapping up middle school around the corner from Alexandria Senior High and has the potential to be one of the Trojans' next talented weapons to watch in the years ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javonte Vital — Hamilton Christian (2030) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Older brother [player_tooltip player_id='934559' first='Javon' last='Vital Jr.'] has emerged over the past couple of years as one of the top prospects in Louisiana's 2027 class with several notable offers from around the country, including now a freshly announced USC commitment. And, hyper-competitive as he is, he is the first person to point to Javonte's potential to exceed his path thus far, citing the younger Vital's taller, longer frame at that age and (though still early) more polished skillset with more training earlier in his development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->