NOTEBOOK: Tracking metro New Orleans football recruits for 2024

The greater New Orleans area is once again blessed with much talent in the 2024 football signing class.

Many programs are either in the midst of spring practice or just concluding drills but their eyes are also on the recruiting trail. Local standouts will start to commit in greater numbers.

Practically everyone on this scouting list already is considering multiple offers or should be receiving them shortly. Some of these names have been on the radar for quite awhile. This group is not listed in any particular order and is sure to see new named added later in the year as prospects emerge.

Edge Rusher Kolaj “Tut” Cobbins (6-4, 205) Destrehan. An intense player who has already committed to LSU, Cobbins is being called the best linebacker produced at Destrehan since Burnell Dent (1979-’81). Cobbins had 60 tackles, 12 sacks and eight forced fumbles last season. He delivers a big hit, squeezes inside and chases plays down.

Safety Wardell Mack (6-0, 170) John Ehret, a four-star prospect with 4.58 speed and a 38″ vertical. LSU assistants Frank Wilson, Robert Steeples and Kerry Cooks have been able to place the Tigers in a comfortable spot. Michigan State, Grambling, Alabama and Florida State trail.

Athlete Bobby Kennedy (6-3, 180) St. Augustine, can play either side of the ball as a wide receiver or defensive back. Excels on the basketball court and high jump in track. Tulane leads Ole Miss, SLU and Alabama State currently. He is a a very physical player.

Cornerback Wallace Foster (5-10, 165) Warren Easton, Foster is a four-star player already committed to LSU. The Eagles have turned out some outstanding defensive backs. Foster has special cover skills and was drawn to LSU’s “DBU” reputation.

Cornerback Anthony Robinson (6-2, 190) Destrehan, with 4.46 and 10.8 (100 meters) speed, along with a 21-foot long jump. He has special physical talent. Great length, a solid open field tackler with good closing speed. Tulane slightly trails Mississippi State, Ole Miss and UTSA.

Wide receiver Koby Young (6-0, 175) Holy Cross, 4.38, The younger brother of Kalija Lipscomb (Jesuit, Vanderbilt and NFL), Koby has big play ability and is a explosive, smooth route runner with an impressive catching radius. LSU is his leader followed by Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Alabama and Florida State.

Linebacker Albert Smith (6-2, 205) Ponchatoula, Smith runs 4.6 and squats 435 pounds. Smith runs very well. His top three are Baylor, Nebraska and Missouri.

Tackle Khayree Lee (6-5, 340) John Ehret, LSU commit, was 360 lbs. Can move in space, flattens opponents, powerful. At this stage he falls somewhere between Kardell Thomas (LSU) and Trai Turner (LSU, NFL Pro Bowler), both who have also battled weight issues. If he gets weight under control, Lee could wind up closer to Turner’s success level.

Tackle Jowhar Franklin (6-6, 300) John Curtis Christian. Franklin transferred to Curtis as a somewhat unknown, but recently his recruiting has blown up. Franklin has great size, athleticism and potential. Ohio State, Cincinnati, Florida State, Mississippi State, Missouri, UConn, Kansas, Georgia Tech, Miami and Grambling have extended offers.

Cornerback Darrius Davis (6-0, 190) Archbishop Rummel. Davis suffered torn ACL on basketball court, but the ballhawk has still drawn offers from Stanford, Marshall and Nicholls. More will arrive. Davis is an outstanding student with a 3.8 GPA. He turns his hips well and plays hard. Davis showed his athleticism in basketball before getting hurt.

Athlete Tasmin “Showtime” Showers (5-10, 172) Mandeville, 4.6, Showers squats 355 pounds and could line up at cornerback or wide receiver. Showers attended camps at LSU, Missouri and Arkansas. Nicholls, Grambling, UTSA, Arkansas and Northwestern State are monitoring.

Linebacker Keidrick “Paw Paw” Richardson (5-11, 225) De La Salle. Richardson has an offer from LSU. Comes up to greet runners with authority. Richardson, who has played since his freshman year on the varsity, diagnoses plays quickly and plays fast.

Tight end Hubert Caliste (6-4, 235) St. Augustine. The Purple Knights have produced some superb tight ends, including Malcolm Scott, John Doucette and Jamal Pettigrew. Caliste could be the next one. He excels on the basketball court. His dad played safety at San Diego State (2001-2004) Florida State is putting distance between the rest, Nebraska, Troy, Grambling and Marshall.

Wide receiver Joshua Jackson (6-3, 185) St. Augustine. Jackson climbs the ladder to make catches. He makes the 50/50 catches. Ole Miss, Marshall, ULM and Grambling have offered.

Offensive lineman Bryce “Turbo” Godfrey (6-3, 270) John Curtis Christian. Godfrey is previously an All-State and All-District performer and can play all five offensive line spots. Godfrey has a 4.0 GPA. His father, Jerry, was a four-year starter at Tulane. Godfrey has Good balance, finishes blocks, doesn’t lunge, and gets to the second level. LSU and Tulane are monitoring. He missed 2021 with an injury.

Wide receiver Rahj “Roadrunner” Dennis (5-10, 160) Edna Karr. Dennis runs 10.35 in the 100 meters, 6.86 in the 60 meter run. He was twice named an All-State sprinter. USC likes him in track. Mississippi State leader with Miami, Duke, Memphis and Grambling in football offers. He is obviously a deep threat.

Athlete Michael Turner (6-1, 170) John Curtis Christian. Turner runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and 10.59 at 100 meters. Marshall has offered and Tulane is making strides. Texas Tech is in the mix with Baylor and Mississippi State watching. Turner was a unanimous All-District player at safety.

Tight end Will Loerzel (6-6, 250) Newman. Loerzel is a superb blocker who could become a tackle. Loerzel squats 400 pounds and dead lifts 425 pounds. He could play as a flex tight end. Louisiana Tech has offered while Tulane watching closely.

Tackle Jermaine “Big Baby” Mitchell (6-8, 310) St. James. Mitchell has ideal size and physical skills. He has no offers yet, but rest assured someone will take a flyer.

Running back Shane “Beast Mode” Lee (5-9, 210) Destrehan. an old-school player. Lee resembles former NFL running back Natrone Means (1993-2000) At the same age, the two have comparable skills. Lee has a low center of gravity. He breaks tackles. Lee averaged 10.5 yards per carry and had 12 touchdowns last season. Lee has offers from Florida State and Miami and is getting looks from LSU, Tulane, Alabama and Memphis.

Defensive end LaDavion Walls (6-3, 245) St. Augustine. Walls is a good athlete who has a Marshall offer who participates in basketball and baseball.

OL Austin Roberts (6-2, 280, Lakeshore, wrestling background, twice All State. Did not allow a sack past two years. 4.0 GPA. Technique sound. Southland conference and Sun Belt schools watching with interest. Roberts squats 455 pounds and dead lifts 425 pounds.

Athlete Dawson “Rocket” Simmons (5-11, 180) St. Augustine. Simmons, who runs a 4.6, may have future in baseball, where he excels. Simmons has great bloodlines. His father, Dalton played at John Ehret and Colorado while his uncle, Thaddeus Washington, played at John Ehret and Colorado. LSU is watching. Dawson plays quarterback and could play free safety at the next level. Dawson has a 3.7 GPA.

Defensive back Armani “Casper” Cargo (5-11, 165) John Ehret, Cargo runs a 10.51 in the 100 meters and a 4.35 forty. He covers a lot of ground. Last season, Cooper recorded 35 tackles and four interceptions. Cargo has a 3.2 GPA. Miami (Ohio) and Mississippi Valley have offered.

Wide receiver Krosse Johnson (5-9, 170) Holy Cross, 10.54 100 meters. Johnson has recently begun to gain more attention. He will form dangerous duo with Koby Young (Holy Cross). Tulane, Texas Tech and Indiana have offered and the Red Raiders may have slight edge.

Defensive tackle Cornell Harris (6-2, 275) St. Augustine. Marshall has offered Harris, who trains with former LSU, NFL and Arena Football League defensive tackle Marlon Favorite. Harris has good hands and disengages blockers quickly. Ole Miss, Arkansas and Florida State are watching.

Athlete Kohen Rowbatham (6-0, 195) Northshore. Rowbatham is a superb athlete who averages 22 points per game in basketball and is the MVP of District 6-5A in that sport. Rowbatham has drawn offers from SLU and Southern Miss in basketball. As a defensive back in football, has he visited UL in Lafayette and has drawn looks from Tulane and Tulsa. Rowbatham could play running back as well.

Tackle Orion Duplessis (6-4, 360) John Curtis Christian. 2022 was the first season in football for Duplessis. Grambling has offered.

Wide receiver Joey Davis (6-0, 175) John F. Kennedy. Davis has 4.4 speed and has opened eyes as a legitimate deep threat. South Alabama and UTSA have offered.

Wide receiver Shaun Nicholas (6-4, 185) West Jefferson. Nicholas has superb length, high points the ball, and is an excellent blocker on the edge. Nicholas has drawn offers from Jackson State, SLU and ULM.

Tackle Jayce Mitchell (6-4, 285) Destrehan. With good size, Mitchell has offers from Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Tulane, Colorado State and the UL Ragin Cajuns.

Cornerback Bernard Causey (6-0, 170) John F. Kennedy. Causey covers a lot of space, is athletic, and has really shot up all recruiting charts. Causey has offers from Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, ULM, UTSA, Nebraska, Missouri, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech and Illinois.

Running back Fred Robertson (5-11, 180) Warren Easton. Robertson runs a 4.5 and has offers from Toledo, Marshall and ULM. Robertson models his game after Alvin Kamara. A game breaker, Robertson has good vision and is a patient runner. He rushed for 340 yards in a win over McDonogh 35 last season.