Show summary Hide summary
- 2028 — Jagger LaBauve, Catholic New Iberia (DE)
- 2027 — Jaden Celestine, Lafayette High (RB)
- 2027 — DJ Kelly, Teurlings Catholic (QB)
- 2029 — Pierce Gable, Westminster Christian–Lafayette (RB/LB)
- 2029 — Brylan Washington, Huntington (QB)
- 2027 — Ansinneo Charles, Lafayette Renaissance (DE)
- 2027 — DaMarion Green, Carencro (RB)
- 2028 — Thomas Carter, Loreauville (RB/LB)
- 2028 — Kristian Aubrey, Acadiana Renaissance Charter (RB)
- 2028 — Joseph Adams, Lafayette Christian (DE)
Summer workouts and campus visits across south Louisiana and Shreveport turned up a group of high-school players who look ready to make headlines in the 2026 season. Their performances this summer matter now: college recruiters are watching, district races will be tighter and several of these athletes could change the balance of power in their respective regions.
- Jagger LaBauve — Defensive end, Catholic New Iberia (Class of 2028)
- Jaden Celestine — Running back, Lafayette High (2027)
- DJ Kelly — Quarterback, Teurlings Catholic (2027)
- Pierce Gable — RB/LB, Westminster Christian–Lafayette (2029)
- Brylan Washington — Quarterback, Huntington (2029)
- Ansinneo Charles — Defensive end, Lafayette Renaissance (2027)
- DaMarion Green — Running back, Carencro (2027)
- Thomas Carter — RB/LB, Loreauville (2028)
- Kristian Aubrey — Running back, Acadiana Renaissance Charter (2028)
- Joseph Adams — Defensive end, Lafayette Christian (2028)
Stitt encampment sweeps displace residents: homeless camps keep reappearing
San Luis Obispo clerk-recorder: three candidates vie for control of county records
2028 — Jagger LaBauve, Catholic New Iberia (DE)
LaBauve showed surprising athletic range this spring — he even won a regional discus title in his first year in track. At roughly 6-foot-3½ and 215 pounds, he projects as a longer, more powerful iteration of his older brother, who helped New Iberia’s recent state-title run.
Summer testing also turned heads: a reported 335-pound bench signals upper-body strength that should help him disengage from blockers as he enters his second year as a starter. Expect opposing teams to game-plan around his motor; his Panthers teammates, including Khylon Edwards and Gavin Kading, will be players to watch as well.
“I want to get a lot of sacks,” LaBauve said, adding realistic team goals — all-district honors and, if the season breaks right, all-state recognition. Chemistry, he said, will be a big factor: “We all grew up together on this team.”
2027 — Jaden Celestine, Lafayette High (RB)
Celestine arrived in Lafayette after the closure of his previous school forced several local transfers. The speedy, physical back led the area in rushing during the 2025 regular season and is already committed to Lamar, though local programs — including the University of Louisiana — are expected to keep him on their radar.
Lafayette’s backfield now features a high-level pairing with dual-threat quarterback Richmond Saunier, creating a one-two punch that could be difficult for opponents in a rugged district packed with St. Thomas More, Acadiana, Barbe and Southside.
“We’re going to be an amazing duo that is hard to stop,” Celestine said of lining up alongside Saunier, a Dartmouth commit.
2027 — DJ Kelly, Teurlings Catholic (QB)
Kelly’s path has included a missed sophomore year and a productive stint at Ascension Episcopal, where he helped the program to a deep playoff run. Now at Teurlings, he’s in a three-way competition to start, alongside Will Fontenot and Austin Calandra — each of whom offers versatility.
Primarily a receiver last season, Kelly has slipped into a quarterback role that highlights his mobility and decision-making. He’s drawing attention from small-college programs and should benefit from an offensive staff with collegiate experience.
2029 — Pierce Gable, Westminster Christian–Lafayette (RB/LB)
Gable is an early candidate to break into state rankings after setting his school’s rushing record as a freshman. At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds he looks the part of a two-way threat — the kind of player who can anchor both the backfield and the front seven.
He’s also a two-sport prospect, with baseball interest emerging from Ivy League programs, underscoring his athletic pedigree. Westminster Christian–Lafayette looks like one of the sleeper teams this fall, and Gable could be the engine behind a deep postseason run.
“I just want to be as good as possible,” he said. “Scoring is fun, but getting tackles and sacking the QB is fun, too.”
2029 — Brylan Washington, Huntington (QB)
Listed among the top sophomore signal-callers in the state, Washington pairs arm talent with physical tools at 6-foot-1 and about 190 pounds. He moved from Bossier City’s Parkway to Huntington this off-season and will play in one of the state’s most pass-oriented districts.
Coaching changes and a strong supporting cast should allow Washington to show more of his passing ability in 2026. Early rankings have him among Louisiana’s top underclassmen, and a productive season would accelerate recruiting attention.
2027 — Ansinneo Charles, Lafayette Renaissance (DE)
Charles recently committed to the UL Ragin’ Cajuns but remains a name to watch: when he’s healthy and on the field he has dominated opponents. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds he has the length and burst to cause matchup problems for high-level programs on Lafayette Renaissance’s schedule.
Coach Hunter Landry noted Charles’s impact during the stretch of the season when he returned to form, citing playoff games where Charles was arguably the most disruptive player on the field.
2027 — DaMarion Green, Carencro (RB)
Green’s move back to Carencro brings a physical, downhill runner into a Bears offense that expects to contend in Division II. Teammates returning this fall give Carencro depth, and Green’s reputation as a bruising, high-contact back preceded him among coaches in the area.
Former coaches remember collision-filled practices when Green lined up against big defenders — a sign of the kind of player who can change a game between the tackles.
2028 — Thomas Carter, Loreauville (RB/LB)
Carter’s ability has long been on local radars, but an injury limited him last season. Now healthy at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, he’s expected to be the focal point of a program coached by Terry Martin, whose teams can be difficult to scout because of their location.
“I’m trying to get at least 20 touchdowns,” Carter said, underlining both individual goals and a team-first mindset. College recruiters planning visits this fall should be able to find Carter — and he could reward that attention with production.
2028 — Kristian Aubrey, Acadiana Renaissance Charter (RB)
Aubrey brings a compact, powerful running style to a young Acadiana Renaissance team that is now competing for district honors. At 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds, he benefits from physical blockers such as Ayden Louis up front and the work of linemen like Maddox Guidry.
The Eagles’ schedule will test Aubrey early and often; consistent performance could earn him scholarship interest and a higher profile in statewide evaluations.
“I’m excited to compete and show the coaches already watching why they should offer,” he said.
2028 — Joseph Adams, Lafayette Christian (DE)
Adams compiled more than 20 tackles for loss as a sophomore against strong competition and has drawn early interest from programs such as Lamar. A continued breakout junior season would likely expand that list.
His approach is methodical — studying film, anticipating plays and trusting technique. Pair him with teammates like Kaleb Simon and Lafayette Christian could become one of the tougher run-defending units in the area.
What to watch this fall: many of these players carry early college interest or commitments, several will face tough district schedules, and a standout season could reshape recruiting for their class. Expect increased scouting activity and more campus visits as August leads into the high school season.
