Catholic-BR prospects to watch | Preseason 3-2-1 Spotlight

Much of the buzz this offseason around top programs in Louisiana has seemed to reside in District 2-5A in the north half of the state and District 9-5A in New Orleans.   But, somewhat more quietly and ever-consistently, perennial power Catholic-Baton Rouge continues to grind in the Capital City and figures to be as much as part of that conversation season-long and particularly come playoff time.   The Bears' talented roster includes five prospects in the top 55 of the latest 2027 class rankings, plus several budding 2028 and 2029 standouts already starting to warrant some recognition.   Louisiana's high school football season is just over a month away, and Prep Redzone Louisiana will spotlight some of the top programs and prospects as in years past with its 3-2-1 format of three well-known returning stars or leaders, two notable candidates for breakout performance or big steps forward in some fashion and one underclassman to know sooner than later.   3 WELL-KNOWN RETURNERS   [player_tooltip player_id='739720' first='Jayden' last='Miles'] — 6-2, 205 RB — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2027)   One last ride in orange and black for J-Miles, who prepares for his third straight season among the top running backs in Louisiana. Miles is one of the bigger, stronger ball-carriers in the state, but also a good pass-catching weapon and more well-rounded athlete overall at the position than he sometimes gets credited. The summer Florida State commit racked up more than 1,600 all-purpose yards as a junior as the headliner of a loaded backfield and heads into this fall as a hungry senior leader eager to shoulder another heavy workload behind a solid offensive line that includes Tulane commit [player_tooltip player_id='1801742' first='Jackson' last='Shaw'].   [player_tooltip player_id='1610241' first='Jude' last='Chamberlain'] — 6-5, 230 TE — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2027)   The Bears' big tight end and multisport standout lived up to his top-25 PRZLA ranking last offseason with a breakout junior campaign with a 450-yard total that was among the best in the traditionally run-first program's storied history. Chamberlain, also a top performer on the school's state-tournament hoops team, is mobile, athletic and smart enough to serve as a versatile chess piece capable of being moved all over the field and creating mismatches and advantages on which the team can capitalize.   [player_tooltip player_id='1356164' first='Jayden' last='Vessell'] — 6-2, 230 EDGE/DL — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2027)   Vessell is another longtime standout for Catholic who earned his way into the lineup and made his presence felt as a sophomore, was all the more consistent as a junior this past fall and now heads into his final high school season as one of the state's most proven defensive ends and a highly ranked prospect in the 2027 class. He is a stout, powerful athlete who does a great job of using leverage, is tenacious in his pass-rush and has shown a knack for coming up with some of his biggest players in the most timely moments and biggest matchups.   2 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='1783095' first='Justin' last='Batiste'] — 6-1, 200 RB/LB — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2027)   As mentioned above, the Bears boast five top-55 prospects in the senior class rankings with Batiste joining Miles, Shaw, Chamberlain and Vessell in that distinction. He is a promising running back with an explosive burst and well-rounded skillset at the position and is expected to once again complement Miles in the backfield. But the combination of Batiste's talent and Miles' ability to shoulder the bulk of the carries has led the coaching staff to find another place to get Batiste on the field more often: linebacker, where he has enjoyed a strong offseason and seems poised to be a productive performer in the middle of the defense.   Gregory Williams — 5-9, 160 RB/ATH — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2028)   Another member of Catholic's loaded backfield whose versatility will loom large this fall, Williams had some big plays in his opportunities as a sophomore and is anticipated to earn even more time this fall. Williams is just as comfortable and effective working out of the backfield or splitting out as a wide receiver. He is particularly quick, showing in both his elusiveness with the ball in his hands and in his route-running, and has the speed to blow by defenders to the outside and for huge gains in the open field. He is a sure-handed pass-catcher, and has gotten noticeably bigger and stronger during the past year. He figures to be among a slew of junior and even sophomore — watch wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='2244059' first='Jordan' last='Culotta'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2234655' first='Jaden' last='Moffitt'] — who will open some eyes this fall in the Bears' offense.   1 UNDERCLASSMAN TO KNOW   [player_tooltip player_id='2243886' first='Jack' last='Stokes'] — 6-3, 235 EDGE — Catholic-Baton Rouge (2029)   Catholic has several great options to spotlight among the underclassmen to know — including Culotta and Moffitt mentioned above, but including several others. But the nod has to go to Stokes, the powerful defensive end and multisport standout who already holds Power-Four offers and debuted in the top five of PRZLA's first rankings for the 2029 class. Stokes earned playing time this fall as a freshman and put together an impressive highlight reel in the process even against opponents two and three years his senior. he's among the top players in his class to watch both in the present — now with a year of varsity experience already under his belt — and for the years to come.

Much of the buzz this offseason around top programs in Louisiana has seemed to reside in District 2-5A in the north half of the state and District 9-5A in New Orleans.