Six 2027 CenLA prospects to watch this season

Grant RB Aymaud Sykes tests his broad jump during the Louisiana vs. All Y’all Elite Camp. (Photo: Cole Miller, Louisiana vs. All Y’all)

Jerit Roser July 28, 2026 @ 10:13 PM

Louisiana high schools are fast approaching fall football camp and, in just over a month, the 2026 season.   A strong wave of talent coming through the state means plenty of notable players to watch — as usual for the typically rich recruiting ground — including many for the final go-round in their respective high school seasons.   Heading into August, Prep Redzone Louisiana will take a look around the state region-by-region at some of the most promising student-athletes to take a Friday night to see while they're close before heading off to college opportunities around the country.   Here are half a dozen seniors from Central Louisiana to watch this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1801050' first='Jaden' last='Bayonne'] — 6-6, 275 DL — Alexandria   The major stock-riser is now not only the highest-ranked prospect for his Trojans' loaded senior class, but the highest-ranked prospect in the region and the highest-ranked defensive lineman in the state. Bayonne's athleticism at his size makes him a handful for opposing blockers and a versatile weapon in the trenches for his defense who can completely clog and disrupt rushing attacks and also get upfield to pressure passers. Bayonne committed this month to Mississippi State over a long list of Power-Four options and is largely considered to just be scratching the surface of his long-term potential.   [player_tooltip player_id='934563' first='Devin' last='Lavalais'] — 6-1, 180 ATH/DB — Marksville   The Tigers' multisport standout has enjoyed one heck of a year already with his big role in the Tigers' basketball state championship and his recruiting blow-up as a football prospect. Lavalais committed to Tulane this summer, but the offers have continued to arrive, including Mississippi State. He is a strong, instinctive and explosive athlete who slams passing lanes shut in a hurry with his breaks on the ball and racks up breakups and interceptions with his length, physicality and ball skills.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250281' first='Karsen' last='Sellers'] — 6-2, 185 QB — Alexandria   and [player_tooltip player_id='1250291' first='Alex' last='Fontenot'] — 6-2, 190 WR — Alexandria   The Lamar and Maryland commitments are arguably the state's top returning quarterback-receiver duo in terms of past production together and next-level production. Sellers and Fontenot have shown great chemistry on the field their entire careers, even going back to 7-on-7 action together before getting onto the varsity field. And not only are they each now more experienced and more confident than ever heading into senior season, but the Trojans look to have more established weapons around Fontenot than a year ago which should help open up the passing game more as a whole, give Sellers more options to spread the ball around and more effectively make defenses pay if they zero in too heavily on containing Fontenot.   [player_tooltip player_id='1357863' first='Kobe' last='Smith'] — 6-2, 260 DL/EDGE — Avoyelles   Smith was the region's first 2027 prospect to announce his college plans and one of early members of the state's class overall to do so when he pledged this spring to nearby Louisiana (Lafayette). He has been a productive, first-team all-district and all-state honorable-mention pass-rusher each of the past two seasons and has his sights set on a career year as a senior — aiming to jump from 12 to 20 sacks in his final high school campaign. And given his competitive nature and continued development, don't be surprised if he does manage to hit that eye-popping total.   [player_tooltip player_id='2227468' first='Aymaud' last='Sykes'] — 6-0, 175 RB — Grant   Another Tulane pledge on the list, Sykes was one of the most prolific rushers in the state this past season with nearly 2,200 yards that helped open eyes all over the countries, including several big college offers. He's a big athlete with quick feet to dance his way through traffic, the strength and balance to absorb some contact and track speed to break away in the open field. And he's also shown some flashes of being effective as a weapon in the passing game. Sykes put together an unreal 10-touchdown game early last season and should provide plenty of entertainment for any fans or coaches who make the trip to Dry Prong this fall.

Louisiana high schools are fast approaching fall football camp and, in just over a month, the 2026 season.