Louisiana 2026 rankings update countdown: Top 10

The 2025 high school football season is now just one month away — during which time Prep Redzone Louisiana will release rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and the first watch list for the incoming 2029 class.   That process began this week with the senior class, a 350-man list for the 2026 cycle that includes dozens of prospects already committed to Division-I programs and even more still looking for their homes at the next level.   As part of the update release, we will count down the top 50 prospects in greater detail, including many familiar faces but also a few new additions.   Here's a look at the Top 10.     No. 10 — [player_tooltip player_id='1673797' first='Isaiah' last='Washington'] — 6-2, 175 DB/ATH — Haynesville   The Golden Tornado's multisport and two-way standout has been one of Louisiana's biggest offseason stock-risers and leads off not only the state's top 10 heading into senior year, but a run of defensive back prospects with professional potential. Washington showcased himself this spring as one of the state's top athletes with some of the state's top triple-jump and hurdles times at outdoor championships in May. And while more of his spotlight the past couple high school seasons has come for his role as an athletic quarterback leading Haynesville to back-to-back Superdome appearances, he's already shown flashes of his ability as a long, ballhawking safety where he has the chance to excel full-time at the next level at LSU.   No. 9 — [player_tooltip player_id='710970' first='Hayward' last='Howard Jr.'] — 6-2, 175 DB — Edna Karr   Easily the prospect in this group of three defensive backs we've seen the most of at the position, Howard is a long, lean and largely lockdown corner who isn't shy about playing physically at the line or as a tackler and who shows great instincts and timing to makes plays on the ball for interceptions and deflections. The Texas commit doesn't have the same track background as Washington or Ellis, but ran a 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range early this offseason that helped check some boxes for recruiters in terms of verified speed to go with some of the track record of his performance on Friday nights and on the 7-on-7 circuit.   No. 8 — [player_tooltip player_id='1237615' first='Dezyrian' last='Ellis'] — 6-2, 175 DB/ATH — Franklin Parish   "Pook" doesn't have the same wealth of experience on defense as his peers, so his transition to playing cornerback in college will come with a learning curve, but he's among the most naturally gifted athletes in the state with his long frame, speed, fluid hips and soaring leap. It's not difficult to recognize what LSU secondary coach Corey Raymond and company in Baton Rouge see for his potential at the new position. And in addition to his electric playmaking as his Patriots' quarterback, he's also a hard-working leader who picks things up quickly — all additional attributes that should help him in the move.   No. 7 — [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 175 WR — Airline   The state's leading receiver this past season enjoyed a great spring on the 7-on-7 circuit as well not only showcasing his prolific pass-catching ability as a threat to every level of the field, but also embracing opportunities to show off his athleticism and competitiveness with some reps at cornerback to battle other top receivers. The LSU commit is long and speedy and catches everything in his direction where quick hitches and slants to move the chains, go-balls for explosive plays downfield or leaping, twisting, high-pointing circus catches over defenders and in tight coverage.   No. 6 — [player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 290 OL — East Ascension   The LSU commit from just outside of town in Gonzales has played both tackle spots during his high school career thus far and has been preparing this offseason to play more tight end during his senior season. Martinez is a powerful blocker with great size for the next level, but also possesses the athleticism to enable the Spartans to create advantages by motioning him around the formation and also utilizing him as a capable, big-bodied pass-catcher.   No. 5 — [player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Edna Karr   An LSU commit and one of the faces of Edna Karr's loaded defense, Hall is a long, rangy safety with a long track record of making big plays both as a ballhawk on the back end and a physical enforcer crashing down to stop ball-carriers or receivers over the middle of the field. Hall posted double-digit tackles for loss as a junior, 11 pass breakups, four blocked punts and four interceptions, including a tone-setting pick-six to help lead off the Cougars' title-game romp in December.   No. 4 — [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'] — 6-2, 205 DB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   The highest-ranked non-LSU commit, the nearby Bears' star safety pledged this spring to reigning national champion Ohio State and quickly declared his recruitment shut down moving forward. Bradford is an intelligent, instinctive player and an explosive athlete — both with his 4.4-second 40-yard speed to cover huge chunks of turf quickly and his hard-hitting physicality when he arrives to ball-carriers and intended receivers. Few, if any, tacklers around the state bring more pop, but Bradford is also more than comfortable and confident playing back in coverage.   No. 3 — [player_tooltip player_id='212340' first='Jabari' last='Mack'] — 6-1, 195 WR/ATH — Destrehan   Mack is among the physical freaks of the class with his combination of top-end track speed and a strong build that sets him apart from the vast majority of high school receivers. The Wildcats' standout is explosive off the line and out of his breaks to quickly create separation in even tight quarters near the goal line. He has continued to develop into a more consistent weapon throughout the course of his high school career and could still have his most productive football ahead of him — even after racking up more than 800 receiving yards and 300 rushing yards as a junior.   No. 2 — [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 320 DL — Edna Karr   "Big Rich" continues to hold down the No. 2 spot in what is more of a 1A-1B top tier of Louisiana's 2026 class. Anderson is a big-bodied, powerful interior force capable of almost single-handedly disrupting opposing run games and has impressive athleticism at his size with his get-off and quickness to consistently blow by or slip past blockers and into the backfield for highlight-reel plays behind the line of scrimmage. Anderson committed to LSU last summer and has served as a cornerstone for an increasingly impressive class of defensive line and edge prospects for the Tigers.   No. 1 — [player_tooltip player_id='212343' first='Lamar' last='Brown'] — 6-4, 295 ATH/DL — University Lab   The headliner of a big July for his hometown LSU's recruiting efforts, Brown is a big, physical two-way trench star with elite athleticism at his size that made him one of the nation's most sought-after prospects anywhere on the line on either side of the ball. Brown has zeroed in on defensive end as the plan for the next level where he should still project as a balanced and versatile playmaker capable of sliding anywhere on the line and being effective as both a run-stuffer and pass-rusher with his strength, explosiveness, quickness and use of leverage.

The 2025 high school football season is now just one month away — during which time Prep Redzone Louisiana will release rankings updates for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 recruiting classes and the first watch list for the incoming 2029 class.