Six 2027 SWLA prospects to watch this season

Jerit Roser July 23, 2026 @ 10:19 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 Lake Charles and the surrounding southwest Louisiana region.   [player_tooltip player_id='1593644' first='Albert' last='Simien'] — <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/albert-simien/">6-4, 280 lbs OL/DL — Sam Houston</a>   The state's No. 2 overall prospect in the latest PRZLA rankings and a recent Notre Dame commit will quickly tell you he's "just a kid from Moss Bluff," just north of Lake Charles. But he's also one of the most highly ranked and highly regarded prospects to ever come out of the area, an athlete and high-motor blocker who is expected to see expanded opportunities as a two-way standout.   [player_tooltip player_id='934559' first='Javon' last='Vital Jr.']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/javon-vital/"></a> — 5-11, 195 ATH/RB — Lake Charles College Prep   and [player_tooltip player_id='1611372' first='Ayden' last='Carter']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ayden-carter/"></a> — 5-5, 155 WR/ATH — Lake Charles College Prep   The Blazers were Division-II Select quarterfinals this past December before the transfer of Vital, the now-former Hamilton Christian star who committed to USC this spring. He and Carter have both been among the state's most dynamic, versatile and prolific weapons the past couple of seasons and now have the opportunity to complement one another on the same offense, which has some potential to be the state's "greatest show on turf" this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1632323' first='Kaston' last='Lewis']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kaston-lewis/"></a> — 6-1, 180 DB/ATH — Iowa   The Yellow Jackets' two-way playmaker was among the state's major breakout stars this past fall and a major factor in his program's historic, first-ever state-championship run. A recruiting explosion followed in both a quick turnaround and a sustained fashion until his eventual Texas Tech commitment this summer, and he was also among the biggest risers in this offseason's PRZLA rankings update. Whether as a top weapon on offense or instinctive and versatile defender, Lewis is a game-changer any time he touches the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='2227499' first='Jordin' last='Griffin'] — 5-9, 160 RB/ATH — Barbe   The dynamic, multisport star wasn't among the athletes spotlighted this spring because he was still busy wrapping up baseball season, including a deep playoff run, for the perennial power Bucs. But Griffin, an LSU baseball commit, showed late in his junior football campaign that he's one of the most entertaining players in the state to watch and one of the top potential prospects in the class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1612711' first='Makelin' last='Lemoine']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/makelin-lemoine/"></a> — 5-10, 185 RB — Elton   McNeese State fans interested in seeing one of their 2027 commits wouldn't have to go far this fall. The Cowboys landed a commitment in May from one of the state's most prolific running backs, who resides just 40 miles northeast of Lake Charles. Lemoine racked up 2,643 yards and 42 touchdowns on the ground alone, while also being a star playmaker for his Indians in a number of ways and in all three phases.

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