Louisiana’s top 2025 prospects countdown: Nos. 30 to 21
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Prep Redzone Louisiana will release its updated 2025 rankings this week, with some notable new additions and risers entering their junior seasons. Leading up to the complete, 200-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 30 in more…
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Continue ReadingPrep Redzone Louisiana will release its updated 2025 rankings this week, with some notable new additions and risers entering their junior seasons.
Leading up to the complete, 200-player list on Thursday, we will count down the top 30 in more detail.
And make sure to check back throughout the week following the release for additional features.
30. Carlos O’Brien Carlos O’Brien 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Lafayette Christian | 2025 State LA | 6-1, 175 WR | Lafayette Christian
The first of a handful of top-30 debuts that will be released in this countdown to the new rankings. The transfer from Teurlings Catholic is an intriguing bigger, go-up-and-get-it receiver in a class in which more of the top pass-catchers are smaller-built, quick slot prospects. He’ll be one of the notable prospects Prep Redzone Louisiana will look to see more of this year, but the size, smooth athleticism and sure hands his few film clips show look suggest a breakout campaign — and Division-I future — ahead.
29. Quincey McKay Jr. Quincey McKay Jr. 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR Terrebonne | 2025 State LA | 6-2, 195 WR | Terrebonne
Terrebonne’s own bigger receiver holds down his spot at No. 29 despite the moves up and down, debuts, etc., in the new update. McKay has a nice combination of speed and ball skills to make tough catches over defenders or through contact. And he continued to gain confidence throughout his sophomore year and showcase his inside-outside versatility as a complement to LSU-committed rising senior Kylan Billiot Kylan Billiot 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Terrebonne | 2024 State LA . McKay holds a handful of offers from around the state, such as ULM and Nicholls State, and nearby Group-of-Five programs, such as Troy and Southern Miss, and is squarely on multiple Power-Five radars.
28. Demarcus Gant Demarcus Gant 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Ascension Catholic | 2025 State LA | 5-11, 160 ATH | Ascension Catholic
One of a couple intriguing, versatile Ascension Catholic prospects in the top 50, Gant had previously been on Prep Redzone Louisiana’s 2025 watch list, primarily as a running back, and now makes his top-30 debut, primarily as a defensive back. He capped his sophomore season with 70 tackles, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions as a quick, fluid corner who plays big in both coverage with his leaping ability and run support with his physicality. Arkansas extended a scholarship offer this spring.
27. Johnnie Thiel IV Johnnie Thiel IV 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Destrehan | 2025 State LA | 5-11, 170 WR | Destrehan
Another potentially versatile weapon in both Louisiana’s 2025 class and his Wildcats’ loaded receiving corps, Thiel remains a top-30 prospect in the class and actually saw his recruitment kick off in May with offers from Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech. Thiel is a well-rounded receiver at this stage in his development with his speed, tracking, blocking and, though not as tall as the first two receivers unveiled on this list, enough height paired with his athleticism and timing to give him some good catch radius and ability to go up and get higher passes.
26. Nate Sheppard Nate Sheppard 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Mandeville | 2025 State LA | 5-10, 180 RB | Mandeville
The younger brother of standout Vanderbilt wide receiver Will Sheppard is a notable, Power-Five piece of Louisiana’s impressive 2025 running back class. Nate still feels somewhat under the radar for his highly productive sophomore campaign and high potential, but Ole Miss, Louisiana Tech and Georgia Tech took notice this summer and joined the Commodores on his offer list. The Skippers’ rising junior has good size, strength and balance through contact, the speed to open up and pull away in the open field and reliable route-running and receiving ability he showed during offseason 7-on-7.
25. Diesel Solari Diesel Solari 5'7" | 175 lbs | ATH Cecilia | 2025 State LA | 5-8, 175 ATH | Cecilia
The much-anticipated junior campaign is now upon the Bulldogs’ dynamic young leader. Solari has been among Prep Redzone Louisiana’s longtime favorites in the 2025 class since beginning high school and is eager to provide a reminder this fall of his explosiveness and all-around playmaking ability after working through the setback of a knee injury suffered this past fall.
24. Alec Haynes Alec Haynes 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB University Lab | 2025 State LA | 6-2, 210 LB | University Lab
The Cubs’ big pass-rusher, a major returning playmaker on a defense expected to be stout and nasty again this fall, remains firmly in the top 25 once again in the latest rankings update. Haynes is explosive and relentless in his pursuit of passers and ball-carriers and continues to show his well-rounded athleticism in his work in 7-on-7 settings and will the ball in his hands playing some running back for the U-High offense.
23. Jackson Jones Jackson Jones 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL Pine | 2025 State LA | 6-7, 290 OL | Pine
Another notable debut, Jones is easily the highest-ranked prospect out of Pine since Prep Redzone Louisiana began scouting the state in 2020. The big left tackle has the height and length to catch the attention of any college in the country, moves well to get outside or up to linebackers when necessary, has a violent punch to his contact and keeps his legs churning to put defenders on their heels or their backs. Jones is another prospect we’ll look to watch more closely this fall, but it’s not difficult to see what Ole Miss, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, TCU, Baylor and Kansas State have liked about him thus far.
22. John David LaFleur John David LaFleur 6'6" | 240 lbs | TE Sulphur | 2025 State LA | 6-6, 240 TE | Sulphur
The big, physical tight end with the wide catch radius has been on Prep Redzone Louisiana’s lists for the 2025 class for more than two years now and remains in the top 25 once again. The son of former LSU and Dallas Cowboys tight end David LaFleur has seen his recruitment pick up, including his father’s alma mater and other SEC programs.
21. Carmaro Mayo Carmaro Mayo 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Parkway | 2025 State LA | 5-10, 160 DB | Parkway
One of the first young prospects on Prep Redzone Louisiana’s early 2025 lists of names to know remains firmly in the top 25 of the rankings entering junior year. Mayo stood out at a camp late in his eighth-grade year with his length, competitiveness, physicality and good timing and coordination to play the ball in the air all while matching up against older — in some cases three years older — receivers. This past fall, he was the only sophomore in 1-5A to earn all-district first-team recognition, and he heads into this season as one of the top prospects to know in the Shreveport area.