Louisiana 2028 rankings update countdown: Nos. 40-31

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its latest rankings update this week with a fresh list for the 2028 class — scheduled for Thursday — ahead of the group's upcoming junior year.   As part of the update release, we will count down the top 50 prospects in more detail, including a mix of many familiar faces as well as a few new additions.   Here's a look at Nos. 40-31, including three debuts and another handful of promising receivers in the loaded class at the position.   No. 40 — [player_tooltip player_id='1545020' first='Braylon' last='Moore'] — 6-1, 185 WR — North DeSoto   Moore was among the early eye-catchers in the class as a big, thickly built target, but is a more well-rounded weapon than the sheer measurables. He tracks the ball well and shows the ability with his leap and strong hands to make tough, contested catches look routine, and he takes a particular pride he takes as a route-runner capable of working himself open with his release and out of his breaks. His continued speed work will loom large in the years ahead, but he has already been effective attacking downfield with his other traits shining through to create separation.   No. 39 — Will Walker — 6-1, 200 WR/ATH — Ponchatoula   Another explosive target already with the eyes of LSU and other programs around the region, Walker is a multisport standout for his Green Wave and a versatile weapon on the football field whether split out wide or taking snaps as an athletic quarterback option. He is tough to corral with the ball in his hands with his balance through contact and his ability to slip through even tight running lanes, and his timing and body control make him effective corralling even tougher, aerial-adjusting catches when given a chance on jumpballs down the field.   No. 38 — [player_tooltip player_id='1804143' first='Christian' last='Martin'] — 5-11, 175 DB — St. Paul's   Martin earned early attention with some of his track results and capitalized on early opportunities to showcase that speed in the return game in addition to his playing time in the secondary. But he has continued to develop into a more complete defensive back — and, for that matter for his Wolves, all-around athlete — with the physicality to disrupt receivers off the line in press-man coverage, instincts and breaks that allow him to play even faster than his pure speed numbers and ball skills that help him make him a threat to snatch away any throw his direction.   No. 37 — [player_tooltip player_id='1291430' first='Ja'Juan' last='Jackson'] — 6-1, 205 QB — St James   The Wildcats' field general remains one of the highest-ranked quarterbacks in the class, as he has been throughout his career. Jackson has good size both in terms of his height and the build to absorb some contact, and has shown the poise, confidence and decision-making from early in his career to take what defenses give, handle even the biggest matchups and stages and make well-timed and well-placed throws downfield while minimizing costly mistakes. While his bread-and-butter is getting the ball out to his weapons through the passing game, he also possesses enough athleticism with the ball in his hands to hurt opposing defenses that leave him some room to run.   No. 36 — Trilon Francis — 6-2, 225 DL/EDGE — Lafayette Renaissance Charter   Francis ranks highly on the list of prospects in this class of whom we look forward to seeing more in person this fall after some of the buzz he's been able to start generating on the recruiting trail this summer. He has good size and some early film that shows some consistency in slipping free of blockers to wrap up ball-carriers in the hole or get into the backfield for some disruptive plays. He was clearly a player who needed to crack onto this list, even if just as a starting point for further evaluation.   No. 35 — [player_tooltip player_id='1618851' first='Darrell' last='Taylor'] — 6-0, 180 WR/ATH — John Ehret   There hasn't been a lot of footage to go off of yet for Taylor, but his quick in-person glimpses as a freshman and limited clips from his sophomore season show flashes that he may be one of the next dynamic weapons to come out of New Orleans. He's not necessarily a big target in the sense of his height and length, but he has a thick build, strong hands and athleticism with his leap and body control to play bigger with his abilities to make catches through contact or going up and adjusting in the air to the ball and around tight coverage.   No. 34 — [player_tooltip player_id='1845258' first='Jordan' last='Collins'] — 6-4, 305 OL — Destrehan   One of the handful of offensive linemen who has most firmly caught our attention early in the development of the class, Collins possesses great measurables and good all-around athleticism for the next level. He has been an active basketball and track and field participant, and his mobility and explosiveness show on the football field where the perennial power Wildcats have entrusted him with their blind side protection from early in his career. Collins is still just scratching the surface, but he possesses the tools to be among the best blockers in the class.   No. 33 — [player_tooltip player_id='228925' first='Lucas' last='Owens Jr.'] — 5-10, 185 RB/ATH — Minden   Other running backs in the state's loaded class at the position have started to dominate the headlines, but Owens remains another longtime Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite who could be a steal for the program that lands him. He is an explosive athlete who has tested well at PRZLA Stock-Up Showcase trips, particularly with his leaps, and shows the ability to get outside and be gone for huge chunks in the open field in the hurry. Additionally, he is a capable pass-catcher and shows good physicality, which made him effective both running through contact as well as working as a linebacker on defense.   No. 32 — [player_tooltip player_id='1397984' first='Zion' last='Batiste'] — 6-1, 165 WR — Lafayette Renaissance Charter   Batiste was slowed a bit by injury during the past year, but remains promising talent firmly on the radar as a Division-I prospect. He is one of the longer, leaner athletes among the loaded list of wide receivers in the class and uses that frame to his advantage with a wide catch radius whether going up to play the ball in the air or make sure-handed catches out away from his body. But he's also a well-rounded weapon with good quickness and an attention to detail in his craft as a route-runner to ensure he's able to beat defenders in a variety of ways.   No. 31 — Kevin Smith Jr. — 5-11, 175 WR — University Lab   Most of the headlines around the Cubs' new additions from Mississippi have centered on the high-profile quarterback son of LSU's new head coach, but the son of the Tigers' new running backs coach has shown some exciting flashes this spring and summer of being a go-to weapon for the U-High offense and one of the more intriguing prospects in the class in his own right. The younger Smith is an explosiveness athlete with a strong build that allows him to be just as effective making catches through contact or breaking tackles for additional yardage as pushing downfield as a deep threat.

Prep Redzone Louisiana continues its latest rankings update this week with a fresh list for the 2028 class — scheduled for Thursday — ahead of the group's upcoming junior year.