Vital, Huglon, Kuypers among 2027 standouts at 4th Qtr 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 the 2027 eye-catchers, and check out notes on the younger players Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934589' first='Collin' last='DiBetta'] — 5-11, 175 WR/ATH — Acadiana</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The past year has been an interesting one for DiBetta, one of Prep Redzone Louisiana's earliest ranked players in the 2027 class. He missed some offseason track and recruiting opportunities last year recovering from injury and spent this fall being called on as as much of a jack of all trades for his Wreckin' Rams as ever before with quarterback and defensive back duties. This spring, he's been active on the track working on his speed and in camps and workouts keeping his route-running sharp as he heads into a big stretch of his recruiting process with upcoming visits and college camps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934564' first='Braylun' last='Huglon'] — 5-10, 175 WR/ATH — Calvary Baptist </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another of Prep Redzone Louisiana's earliest ranked players primarily as a defensive back, Huglon has become one of the most consistent and reliable weapons in the state from Friday nights in the fall — with 11 100-yard performances in 14 games — to every camp or 7-on-7 setting in the spring and summer. He is quick, explosive and crafty and was among the most sure-handed receivers — if not the most sure-handed — in attendance Saturday. Huglon was fresh off trips to Oklahoma State and Kansas State and will be a notable recruit in the state to monitor early this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sawyer Kuypers — 6-2, 210 WR — Barbe</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first time seeing the Buccaneers' 1,000-yard receiver in person, his frame and thick build immediately stand out as checking those boxes, and his performance throughout the day continued to do so as well as he smoothly navigated through routes, around cones and along the sideline and back of the end zone and effortlessly hauled in just about every throw his direction, including high-leaping catches. Several Division-I coaches have been actively recruiting Kuypers, impressed by the physicality of his game, and he's putting a particular focus this spring on improving his 40-yard speed ahead of upcoming college camps, which could solidify some more options on the recruiting trail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1620696' first='Richmond' last='Saunier'] — 6-2, 200 QB — Lafayette</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions' signal-caller is emerging as another notable future Division-I prospect to know in the state's loaded quarterback class. Fresh off a standout showing at last week's Under Armour Next event in New Orleans, Saunier was slinging the ball around to another great cast of targets for the workout session. Saunier has great size and a strong arm for the next level. And behind the scenes, he was impressing even the talented wide receivers participating Saturday with his leaping and quick one-handed grabs on balls thrown back his way. He won't likely be doing a lot of jumping and catching in college, but the little flashes of athleticism and coordination were an interesting note in between another productive day of throws.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934559' first='Javon' last='Vital Jr.'] — 5-10, 195 ATH — Lake Charles College Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The multisport star from southwest Louisiana was one of the state's biggest headline-grabbers during the past week with a USC commitment Thursday and an LSWA Class 3A all-state basketball selection on Saturday. The dynamic athlete has moved all over the field during his high school career, throwing and running more often than he's had the chance to showcase his pass-catching. But settings like Saturday provide opportunities to put his ball skills on full display as he racks up eye-catching leaping, hanging and one-handed catches with the best of his peers to go with his quick feet in his routes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->