Notebook: Tracking 2024 football recruiting prospect in Metro New Orleans

The 2023 signing period has not yet been put to bed, but it’s never too soon to identify the targeted players for the 2024 class in the Greater New Orleans area.

Here is my early peek at the prospects to track. Although this is not a list from my notes according to rank, the first 25-30 prospects are receiving the most attention of this group at this time.

EDGE Kolaj “Tutt” Cobbins (6-4, 205) 4-star, Destrehan, it looks to be an LSU Ole Miss battle, but Texas, Georgia, and Mississippi State are clamouring for his attention. As a soph. (2021) he recorded 12 sacks. He is being called the best LB at Destrehan since Burnell Dent (1979-’81), finishing as Destrehan’s all time tackler, as well as Tulane’s. Cobbins delivers big hit and crashes down the line.

DB/S Wardell Mack (6-0, 170) 4-star, John Ehret, LSU is currently the favorite. Runs a 4.58 forty with a 38″ vertical. Alabama, Duke, Tulane, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Fla. State, Nebraska and Mississippi State in picture. Frank Wilson, Robert Steeples and Kerry Cooks handling duties for LSU.

CB Wallace Foster IV (1-11, 170) 4-star, Warren Easton, committed to LSU over the weekend. Plays with swagger, can flip his hip, great ball skills.

ATH Bobby Kennedy (6-3, 180) 3-star, St. Augustine. Can line up at WR or safety. Tualen may have a slight edge over SLU, Ole Miss and Alabama State. Will visit LSU in March. Very physical tackler.

WR Koby Young (6-0, 175) Holy Cross, 4.38. All District performer. Younger brother of Kalija Lipscomb (Vandy, NFL) Alanama, LSU, Fla. State, La. Tech, Troy, Tulane and Texas Tech in mix. LSU looks like favorite.

OT Khayree Lss (6-6, 350) 3-star, John Ehret, recently committed to LSU, which he called his “dream school.” Moves well in space, flattens opponent.

RB Fred Robertson (5-10, 180) 3-star, Warren Easton, 4.5 speed. ULM with offer, more will come. In ’21 ran for 866 yards (7.8) 14 TD’s. This season he accumulated 1, 771 yards and 28 scores. Very high ceiling, patient runner, good receiver, super vision, sees backside. Had 340 yards vs. McDonogh 35 in season finale.

ATH Anthony Robinson (6-2, 190) 3-star, Destrehan, Ole Miss/Mississippi State battle, Tulane and UTSA making pitch, Could be outstanding WR or DB.

LB Albert Smith (6-2, 205) 3-star, Ponchatoula, squats 435 lbs., runs well. Baylor and Missouri current leaders. Nebraska, Tulane and Mississippi State making a case.

RB Shane “Beast Mode” Lee (5-9, 218) Destrehan, old school football fans may recall NFL RB Natrone Means (1993-‘2000), Lee is similar in stature and style. LSU, Tulane, Memphis, Miami and Alabama watching closely. A power runner with low center of gravity. Averaged over 10.5 yards per carry this season with 12 TD’s, Breaks tackles. All District in football and baseball. Holds 3.0 GPA.

TE Hubert Caliste (6-4, 235) St. Aug, Grambling and Troy with offers. Camped at Texas A&M. Purple Knights have produced two TE’s to NFL, Malcolm Scott and Jamal Pettigrew. His dad played safety at San Diego State(2001-’04).

LB Keidrick “Paw Paw” Richardson (5-10, 225) 3-star, De La Salle. Has offer from LSU. Diagnoses quickly, comes up to greet runner with authority. Plays with passion.

WR Joshua Jackson (6-3, 205) 3-star, St. Aug, offers from Grambling, Nebraska, Ole Miss, ULM and Marshall. Climbs ladder to get ball, makes 50/50 catches.

ATH Tasmin “Showtime” Showers (5-10, 172) Mandeville, 4.6, squats 355 lbs. with a 33″ vertical. Could line up at WR or CB. Solid tackler, ball skills.

WR Dkhai Joseph (5-9, 170) East St. John had 58 catches for 1, 209 yards 19 touchdowns averaging nearly 21 yards per catch. He also added 2 interceptions on defense. Game changing skills.

ATH Jaeden Voisin (6-1, 210) Belle Chasse, 4.48, 37″ vertical, a converted LB. This season he totaled 1, 781 yards rushing with 18 TD’s. Squats 405, dead lifts 415. Had 327 yards rushing vs. Salmen. A physical, bruising runner.

OT Jermaine “Big Baby” Mitchell (6-8, 315) St. James, 3-star, big body, great reach. May require a RS freshman year. Lots of schools have him on their radar.

ATH Mike Turner (6-1, 170) John Curtis, unanimous All District as safety. Can take the top off a defense as WR with 10.71 hundred meters. High GPA. Offers from Tulane, Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Baylor and La. Tech monitoring closely. Tulane may have a slight edge.

ATH Dawson “Rocket” Simmons (5-11, 180) St. Aug, best spot maybe FS. LSU has interest. Outstanding infielder/ OF in baseball. Great bloodlines, dad, Dalton Simmons played at Colorado with his uncle, Thaddeus Washington, both played at John Ehret.

RB/Slot Jason Gabriel (5-9, 180) John Curtis, Alabama, LSU, Tulane, Fla. State watching closely, Has Grambling offer. Slot receiver maybe best spot. 3.7 GPA, shifty, dangerosu in space.

WR Rahj “Roadrunner” Dennis (5-10, 160) Edna Karr, 10.35 hundred meters, fastest in the state. Lightning quick, deep threat, Mississippi State has edge over Grambling and Duke.

ATH Kohen Rowbatham (6-1, 180) Northshore, offers from SLU and Southern Miss for basketball. Could be FS in football. Dual sport star.

RB Marlon Prout (5-9, 175) John Curtis,freak athlete, speedy, 3.8 GPA, outstanding basketball player. Southland, Sun Belt and AAC are watching him closely. Superb acceleration and balance. Had 150 yards rushing and 3 TD’s vs. Jesuit.

DT Cornell Harris (6-2, 275) St. Aug, Marshall with an offer. Ole Miss, Northwestern State, Arkansas and Fla. State watching with interest. Trains with Marlon Favorite. Disengages quickly, good hands.

QB Santana Price (5-11, 175) McDonogh 35, dual threat, 330 yards passing vs. Warren Easton. This season, 1,500 yards, 20 TD passes only 4 interceptions. 3.5 GPA. Good placement on throws.

CB Bernard Causey (6-0, 170) John F. Kennedy, ULM, UTSA offers, Texas Tech, Nebraska,, Southern. Incarnate Word and Southern Miss monitoring.

QB Amare Cooper (6-2, 185) St. Aug, lefty passer is outstanding pitcher/ 1st baseman. 215 yards, 4 TD’s vs. McDonogh 35.

OT Austin Roberts (6-3, 265) Lakeshore, 4.0 GPA, squats 455, dead lift 425 lbs. All District. maintains block, grades high.

QB Dagan Bruno (6-0, 175) John Curtis. Curtis has had many dual sport QB’s, Danny Wimprine, Chris Jackson and Collin Guggenheim, all excelled in baseball as well. Bruno is cut from the same cloth. He is also very good in basketball and can play all 9 positions in baseball.

CB Kyle Williams (5-11, 172) Northshore, very good baseball player.

TE Will Loerzel (6-4, 230) Newman, lots of experience in absence of Will Randle (injured). Squats 400 lbs., can be flex TE, good hands.

CB Armani “Casper” Cargo (5-11, 170) John Ehret, 4.45, 3.2 GPA, covers a lot of ground, runs 10.5 in 100-meters.

DT Pierce Melancon (5-11, 220) Mandeville, plays with good leverage.

RB Trevell Watts, Jr. (5-8, 180) Slidell, 4.51.

RB Jace “Boogie” Bienemy (5-8, 165) De La Salle, 4.5, 3.0 GPA., plays basketball. Could be excellent in slot.

OT Orion Duplessis (6-5, 340) John Curtis, 1st year football. moves wll for his size. Good upside.

CB Armani Bell (6-0, 170) McDonogh 35, 3.7 GPA, in 2021 targeted 14 times allowed 2 completions. Runs 100, 200 and 400 meters.

DE Ladavion Walls (6-3, 245) St. Aug, Marshall offer. plays basketball and baseball.

WR Paxton LaFont (6-3, 195) E.D. White, reliable hands, full extension, adjusts to throw.

QB Beau Perez (6-5, 207) Jesuit, had 1,059 yards, 8 TD’s this season. Will need reps to improve.

WR Makylon Smothers (6-3.180) Destrehan, super basketball, high points ball.

DT Jairin McCall (6-2, 290) Destrehan, 510 squat, 265 lbs, clean. collapses pocket.

-WR Anthony Jones (5-10, 165) Newman, good get off of press coverage, makes big catch.

OC Bryce Godfrey (6-3, 265) John Curtis, can play all 5 OL spots. Lined up at TE as freshman. His father Jerry, Curtis OL coach, was 4-year starter at Tulane. Very cerebral prospect, gets to 2nd level, missed 2021 with injury.

CB Greg Donaldson (5-10, 180) Warren Easton, initially a QB, ball-hawk, Had 97 yard interception return vs. Carver.

RB David Harris (5-11, 198) Covington, 229 yards vs. St. Pauls. Power runner. N/S.

WR Koyal Gray (5-10, 170) East St. John, outstanding baseball player, committed to Arkansas in baseball.

ATH Nickolas Thomas II (5-10, 180) De La Salle, could be RB or DB.

LB Trevor Whitted (6-1, 220) Shaw, 405 squat.

WR Darnell O’Quinn (5-11, 160) Helen Cox, 4.5, can turn short pass into long gain. Good separation.

WR T.J. Coleman (5-9, 160) Northshore, season, 24 catches, 489 yards (20.3 average) 5 TD’s.

RB Jaedyn Martin (5-10, 175) Rummel, squats 335 lbs., had 6 TD’s this season averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

CB Davis Oliver (6-0, 175) St. Aug, good length, transitions well.