Louisiana 2023 Rankings Update: Notable stock-risers
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A rare crop of quarterbacks has been the lead story for Louisiana’s 2023 class since maybe before Arch Manning Arch Manning 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB Newman | 2023 State LA , Eli Holstein Eli Holstein 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Zachary | 2023 State LA and company even hit campus.
But as more stars continue to emerge all over fields all over the state, the cohort is beginning to show an impressive level of depth on par with its 2022 predecessors.
Here were 11 prospects who have been on the rankings during previous updates, but earned higher positions during this round all the way into the top 50 — including a trio of top-10 spots and leaps of 20, 30 or even 40.
No. 2 Eli Holstein Eli Holstein 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Zachary | 2023 State LA | 6-3, 215 QB | Zachary
The Texas A&M commitment didn’t have all that far left to climb from No. 4 last spring, but he has done his best to challenge the seemingly foregone conclusions of many fans, media and coaches that Manning is the state’s — or even nation’s — top prospect in 2023. Holstein checks the boxes with his strong arm, impressive athleticism, high-level understanding of the game and a competitive drive and general demeanor to which teammates tend to quickly gravitate. At Louisiana’s highest classification level, he’s already put up big numbers, an all-state performance, a state championship and an undefeated season. But Holstein remains driven and hungry to continue working, improving and achieving in a way that suggests his best football is far ahead of him.
No. 9 Trey Holly Trey Holly 5'8" | 190 lbs | RB Union Parish | 2023 State LA | 5-9, 180 RB | Union Parish
The prolific running back in north Louisiana seemed to begin gaining overdue statewide and college attention during a sophomore season in which he led his Farmers to their first state championship game since 2013. And he has only continued to prove himself as a more intriguing and complete prospect for the next level. Holly is on the shorter side for such a highly regarded running back prospect, but is solidly built, strong and physical to go with explosive burst and speed and quick feet and impressive pass-catching ability. The list starts to look an awful lot like recent LSU star Clyde Edwards-Helaire, now in his second season with the Kansas City Chiefs. And his prowess may have been as well-displayed as ever in his most recent high school game, a second straight title appearance for Union Parish. Holly rushed 24 times for 182 yards, including a 66-yard array of moves to the end zone; caught two passes for 83 yards, including a 75-yard go-ahead bomb late; and recorded seven hard-hitting tackles, including one for a 3-yard loss.
No. 10 Rickie Collins Rickie Collins 6'3" | 180 lbs | QB Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) | 2023 State LA | 6-3, 180 QB | Woodlawn (Baton Rouge)
The third quarterback in the class is probably closer in the conversation with Manning and Holstein than many people realize. The Purdue commitment completed 119 of his 182 passes (65.4 percent) for 1,930 yards (10.6 per attempt) and 16 touchdowns to just three interceptions against a difficult Class 5A schedule in which his Panthers won their first playoff game since 2014, handed powerhouse Catholic (Baton Rouge) its only loss and battled Zachary and Destrehan to two of their closest games.
No. 11 Zalance Heard Zalance Heard 6'6" | 300 lbs | OL Neville | 2023 State LA | 6-6, 300 OL | Neville
The former Bastrop big man checked into the rankings at No. 51 last spring as a defensive tackle before making the aforementioned 40-spot leap with extensive and impressive offensive tackle film in his first season at Neville. His quick, explosive first step at his size his special. And much like his counterpart on the Tigers’ other tackle spot, Heard plays aggressive and physical through the whistle to set a tone and keep it. Ole Miss and Texas offered last spring, and that list has ballooned swiftly since then with Michigan, Colorado, TCU, Oklahoma State, Louisville, Kansas, Baylor, USC, Houston, Arkansas State, Nebraska, Jackson State and Louisiana (Lafayette) all joining.
No. 14 Khai Prean Khai Prean 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH St. James | 2023 State LA | 6-1, 190 ATH | St. James
Khai Prean Khai Prean 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH St. James | 2023 State LA was already a top-25 prospect as an underclassman at Ascension Catholic, largely at running back and defensive back. But he has continued to grow — both up and stronger — and into a special wide receiver prospect, as well, as he showcased with one of the top camp performances at LSU this past summer. He’s explosive anywhere on the field, and a long list of colleges has taken notice. Mississippi State, Kansas State, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Michigan State, Florida Atlantic, Colorado, Auburn, Michigan, Florida State, Louisville, Southern, Purdue and Memphis have all extended offers.
No. 21 Caden Jones Caden Jones 6'7" | 255 lbs | OL De La Salle | 2023 State LA | 6-7, 290 OL | De La Salle
The multisport standout had a strong sophomore campaign on his Cavaliers’ state runner-up run and built well upon it during the past year as he improved his strength and control of his rare frame. Jones bears the quick feet typically expected of a basketball player that make him particularly impactful getting outside or to the second level and helping spring huge gains in the screen game. Nicholls State, Tulane, LSU, Colorado, Louisiana (Lafayette) and Kansas have all been among the first schools to extend offers.
No. 29 TaDerius Collins TaDerius Collins 6'4" | 245 lbs | DL Northwood (Shreveport) | 2023 State LA | 6-4, 230 DL | Northwood (Shreveport)
One of the state’s best-kept secrets is finally out, with a string of scholarship offers the past 10 days from Northwestern State, Louisville, Tulane and Louisiana Tech, and that momentum should only pick up steam as he’s able to get to camps and colleges this spring and summer. He debuted in the rankings at No. 33 last spring with impressive sophomore field of him running around in coverage with the speed and quickness of a much smaller player. He bulked up and continued to add enough strength to be a versatile force inside or out with an explosive first step, quick array of moves to evade or shed blockers and great closing speed to rack up sacks and tackles for loss. Collins climbs into the top 30 of an increasingly deep 2023 class now and is a prospect to keep an eye on for even further moves in the months to come.
No. 33 Jonathan Bax Jonathan Bax 6'3" | 235 lbs | LB Edna Karr | 2023 State LA | 6-3, 235 LB | Edna Karr
An underclassman standout for the Cougars in 2020 has continued to develop into one of their top players and prospects entering his final year of competition. The cat-quick Bax beats blockers time and time again with his lethal speed rush to the outside, looping back in as he and a teammate run games or even being fast enough to split an attempted double team and shoot through the gap before they can close it. His high motor and strong hands make him difficult for quarterbacks and running backs to escape, and his long, still fairly lean is only continuing to get bigger stronger.
No. 34 Jirrea Jirrea | 5-11, 210 LB | Warren Easton
One of the earliest names in the 2023 class to break out more than two years ago as a freshman, Johnson has continued to live up to and exceed his reputation as one of the state’s hardest hitters each step of the way. As he’s matured, the Eagles have stood him up and moved him around the box more, and he has become nearly impossible to keep out of the backfield with any consistency. Louisville, Nebraska, ULM, McNeese State and Southern have all extended offers.
No. 45 Jaylen Lawrence Jaylen Lawrence 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Acadiana | 2023 LA | 6-1, 185 LB | Acadiana
The Acadiana is newer on the scene than the linebackers ahead of him, but charged aggressively up this list in his first year with the Wreckin’ Rams. His budding potential earned him a debut at No. 77 last spring as more of an up-and-coming hybrid safety at Lafayette Christian. But the physical Lawrence always appeared to be at his best in the box, and he excelled there in a more prominent role as a junior in his first season after transferring. He racked up 98 tackles, including 57 solo, 12 for loss and eight sacks, as well as five forced fumbles, one recovery, a pair of interceptions and a handful of pass breakups. Incarnate Word extended a recent scholarship offer, and Lawrence appears likely to have more big developments ahead on the field, on the recruiting trail and potentially in the rankings.
No. 50 Germonie Davis Germonie Davis 5'10" | 165 lbs | ATH Cecilia | 2023 State LA | 5-10, 165 ATH | Cecilia
The Cecilia speedster picked up an early offer from Florida State last winter and has piqued some interest from other Power Five programs such as Mississippi State and Louisville early this offseason. Davis is a threat to reach the end zone any time he touches the ball making him an impact returner and a versatile offensive athlete capable of obliterating defenders’ angles and turning plays into foot races he’s almost always likely to win. His catching ability — doing so confidently, in stride and with his hands away from his body — makes him all the more valuable as a weapon all over the field, as does his apparent continued growth to about 5-foot-10 or even potentially pushing toward 5-foot-11.