Destrehan’s talented 2023 core not shy in state title aspirations

A trio of Destrehan’s talented rising juniors weren’t shy about their goals this season. "The conversation is we’re going to the ’ship, and we’ve gotta win it," wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id="138445" first="Daniel" last="Blood"] smiled. "That’s been the conversation since Day One, really, and we’ve gotta do it. This is the year." That process refers to more than "Day One" of just this offseason. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="138326" first="Lynard" last="Harris"] explained that the Wildcats’ 2023 class actually already feels overdue. "Our first goal was really to go for a four-peat, but you know that got cut short," he said. "So now we’re just really focusing on we just want to win one at least." Destrehan has knocked emphatically on the door with three straight semifinal appearances and four in the past five years — including a 2019 runner-up finish —  in Class 5A, the state’s largest classification. And the rising juniors who earned early playing time, in some cases even as freshmen, feel their experiences thus far have prepared them to complete the mission. "We learned we have to stay focused and have the mentality to win and strive through the ups and downs during the game," Blood said. "If we’re down, we’ve still gotta keep our head up and keep winning and keep striving." Added quarterback and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="138283" first="Jai" last="Eugene"] Jr.: "I think we just have to play together. The older guys being leader, that’s all it takes." The proud program hasn’t won a state championship since back-to-back crowns in 2007 and 2008. Destrehan was one-and-done in the 2009 postseason and missed the 2010, 2011 and 2012 playoffs before barreling back to the semifinals in 2013 and title game appearance in 2014. But Blood, Harris, Eugene and company are eager to not only etch their names alongside past stars such as LSU signees Justin and Rickey Jefferson and Glen Logan, Texas signee Gerald Wilbon, Oregon signee Kirk Merritt and Kent State signee Will Matthews and others to excel in the garnet and gray. They hope to join former quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Wynrick Smothers, who went on to LSU and Central Arkansas, and defensive stars Darrington Sentimore and Rufus Porter, who signed with Alabama and Louisiana Tech, respectively, in 2009. "We definitely lost a lot, but I feel like we’re right where we should be," Eugene said. "We’re still building. We’re still learning. We’ve got a couple young guys playing up, but I think we should be fine." The talent certainly appears to be in place for that sort of a special run. Here are a few of the biggest names on a long list of standouts who appear likely to be eventual college players. "And besides (a title), we just really want to all want be great, all play in college and play in the professional league eventually," Harris said. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138324" first="Kevin" last="Adams"] — 5-11, 175 DB — Destrehan (2023)</strong> The speedy cornerback hasn’t gotten as much early as his taller, longer teammates, but Adams possesses decent size and a good handle on the game and is one of the Wildcats’ — and perhaps quietly one of the state’s — more underrated prospects in the impressive 2023 class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138445" first="Daniel" last="Blood"] — 6-0, 170 WR — Destrehan (2023)</strong> The springy multisport athlete earned his first scholarship offer this summer during a strong camp showing at Louisiana Tech, with more likely on the way as he continues to develop into one of the most dangerous weapons in a deep receiving corps. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IIJwCAPS5hA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136527" first="Calvin" last="Bullock"] — 6-4, 175 WR — Destrehan (2022)</strong> The long-framed pass-catcher was the all-district leader of that aforementioned bunch of weapons for Eugene and company in 2020 and returns among the senior leaders on a junior-heavy squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138413" first="Landry" last="Cannon"] — 6-3, 345 OL — Destrehan (2023)</strong> The big mauler, who continues working on his feet and quickness at his size, has a chance to be a Division-I interior blocker. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138283" first="Jai" last="Eugene"] Jr. — 6-1, 175 ATH — Destrehan (2023)</strong> The son of former LSU defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="138283" first="Jai" last="Eugene"] figures to project in the secondary at the next level, where Virginia, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana and Louisiana College have already extended scholarship offers. At the high school level, he is also the passer tasked with leading the Wildcats’ offense and distributing the ball to Blood, Bullock and company. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138326" first="Lynard" last="Harris"] — 6-0, 170 DB — Destrehan (2023)</strong> Eugene’s secondary running mate is another standout athlete, who also earned playing time as a freshman and had Virginia help kick off his recruitment with an offer this past winter after a strong sophomore campaign. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/87wlmgNHKnQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Donovan Kimble — 6-2, 265 OL — Destrehan (2022)</strong> The versatile offensive lineman with a quickness he also utilizes on the wrestling mat picked up his first college football offer this summer from Arkansas-Monticello. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136588" first="Steven" last="Walker"] — 6-1, 140 DL — Destrehan (2022)</strong> Southeastern Louisiana, Dartmouth and Houston Baptist have all been among the first offers for the Wildcats’ top defensive lineman. <strong>Dontrell Wilright — 6-3, 260 OL — Destrehan (2022)</strong> Another returning all-district performer and intelligent senior leader, Wilright already holds offers from Davidson, Grambling State and Southern.