Live Oak Eagles | Offseason 3-2-1 Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Live Oak feels poised, after an up-and-down, lesson-learning 2023 with several underclassmen stepping into big roles early, to take a step forward with a still-young, but increasingly talented roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles continue Prep Redzone Louisiana's series of "Offseason 3-2-1" spotlights looking at three key returning standouts, two notable breakout candidates and one underclassman to know sooner than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 WELL-KNOWN RETURNERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336857' first='Jacob' last='Cowart'] —&nbsp;6-4, 220 DL — Live Oak (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Gabriel Harvey — 6-3, 230 DL — Live Oak (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the Eagles' major storylines this offseason surround the promising young talent already earning major playmaking and leadership roles at a young age, but one place the team features some of its most notable rising senior flavor is with a pair of disruptive defensive ends with good size coach Randall Legette and company will look to set the edge (and tone) for the unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740987' first='Cayden' last='Jones'] —&nbsp;5-10, 160 QB/ATH — Live Oak (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356122' first='Dekhota' last='Jones'] — 6-0, 180 RB/WR — Live Oak (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, opponents will be trying to keep up with the Joneses as two of the more experienced returning standouts for an Eagles attack with a good set of versatile weapons. Cayden, at quarterback, and Dekhota, as a speedy running back or receiver, showed their big-play ability and chemistry last year as underclassmen and should be poised for much more ahead — including Cayden (more on this below) having the opportunity to play a variety of positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1345161' first='Hayden' last='Ray'] —&nbsp;6-2, 245 TE/DL —&nbsp;Live Oak (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with Cayden, another of the Eagles' talented 2026 prospects who was already developing into a clear leader on the roster as a sophomore. Ray himself is a versatile athlete from his explosive, dunking athleticism on the basketball court to the range he brings to the football field as a disruptive defender in the box, physical blocker and pass-catcher who can reliably find or create space and haul in receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2 BREAKOUT CANDIDATES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934591' first='Kingston' last='Johnson'] —&nbsp;5-11, 170 QB —&nbsp;Live Oak (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The aforementioned [player_tooltip player_id='740987' first='Cayden' last='Jones'] is expected to move around the field more than ever this fall as a result of both his versatility and the continued emergence of his rising sophomore teammate. Johnson has a strong arm, quick release and the athleticism to make plays with his legs from buying more time out of the pocket and making throws on the run to taking off for chunks of yards on the ground — all of which help make him a name to know early in Louisiana's loaded 2027 quarterback class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336832' first='Benjamin' last='Moyer'] — 6-0, 215 WR/TE — Live Oak (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legette called the rising senior pass-catcher one of the "sleepers" of the team, a largely under-the-radar athlete on whom the Eagles know they can rely as physical target in the middle of the field, but also with enough speed to hurt opponents outside if given the opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1 UNDERCLASSMAN TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372155' first='Calvin' last='Ursin'] —&nbsp;6-2, 190 WR/DB — Live Oak (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Deuce" is already one of the early faces of Louisiana's 2028 class with Southern, Florida State and Tulane offers among other recruiting interest before even beginning his freshman year. Ursin's size, ability to create separation and ball skills already stand out — even against older competition not only in practice reps, but in high-level college camp settings including recent stops to LSU, Louisiana (Lafayette) and Tulane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->