Six 2027 def. prospects whose track showings warrant closer looks

Prep Redzone Louisiana always makes a concerted effort to spotlight some of the most notable football-relevant takeaways from track seasons in the winter and spring.   This year has featured more coverage of the sport than ever, including some particularly memorable and notable — even record-breaking — performances by some of the state's top football prospects.   Articles following this month's outdoor state championships have already included notes on all performers who scored points for their schools in individual events and organized and categorized lists of top football performers in all events regardless of school classification.   As we wrap up our complete coverage of the season, we wanted to spotlight some potentially less-heralded or -heavily recruited prospects whose speed, explosiveness and all-around athleticism was underscored by their showings in track and field and should garner some closer looks from college coaches.   Here's a look at six rising seniors on the defensive side of the ball of particular note in this context.   Kodi Clement — 6-1, 170 DB — Kaplan   Clement has been a consistent name here during recent springs because of his prowess on the track, and he came back with another great day with the 400-meter gold (48.32 seconds) and 200-meter silver (21.96 seconds) to wrap up his junior school year. In addition to his explosive burst and closing speed one might anticipate given that background, his football film shows quick feet, poise and a willingness to hit that all make him an interesting prospect for coaches to give a look.   Jacob Crosler — 6-3, 240 EDGE/OL — Winnfield   One of the athletes on this list whose measurables stand out notably as potentially already matching those of Division-I college players at the position, Crosler showed some power and balance with his silver-winning discus (147-01) in Class 2A, which was among the best by a football prospect in any classification. His football film shows that power as well and some tenacity as he battles through and sheds blocks and chases down and wraps up tackles in traffic.   [player_tooltip player_id='1595911' first='Frederick' last='Nimer'] — 5-11, 195 LB — Northwest   Another box defender with a discus performance that stood out among the best all week by a football athlete with his 155-02 mark, which stacked up second in Class 3A and eighth among all football players. His highlights from the fall immediately show an athlete with quick recognition and closing speed and a willingness to hit, a combination of traits that may add him to the list of the Raiders' talented multisport prospects in this class and in the program's recent run.   [player_tooltip player_id='1595354' first='James' last='Tyson'] — 6-0, 180 DB — St. Charles Catholic   The most familiar name on this list from a football standpoint, Tyson has been a mostly under-the-radar prospect overall, but ranked in Prep Redzone Louisiana's top 100 for more than a year because of an early sense of his potential. And he bolstered his résumé significantly this month with a 10.67-second 100-meter dash that was among the best run throughout all of the state championships, and he smiled during a practice visit last week that several college coaches have indeed checked in and shown piqued interest in the wake of the verified speed.   Tracy Washington — 6-0, 170 DB — Sulphur   The Tornadoes' versatile defensive back had the second-best 200-meter dash time (21.73 seconds) and 12th-best 100-meter dash time (10.90 seconds) among all football athletes in all classifications. And along with quick feet, a willingness to hit and good timing and tracking on late plays on throws his direction, the speed shows on his junior film, whether primarily out at corner or also getting some work at free safety.   Ayren Woods — 6-5, 185 DB/WR — DeRidder   The Dragons' multisport athlete finished second in the high jump (6-04.00) in Class 4A and fifth among all football-relevant athletes in all classifications. From there his measurables immediately pop off the page, and his highlights as a balanced, disciplined safety who is fast and relentless to the ball and wrapping up tackles and looks great either lining up off the edge at the line of scrimmage and firing into opposing backfields or starting on the back end of the defense and working his way down as plays develop.

Prep Redzone Louisiana always makes a concerted effort to spotlight some of the most notable football-relevant takeaways from track seasons in the winter and spring.