Recruiting Notebook: Metro New Orleans Top 50 for Class of 2019

As we put a bow on the 2018 recruiting class, it’s time that we focus on what lies ahead.

The 2019 prospects are the future targets of coaching staffs coast to coast.

History has proven that southeast Louisiana is on of the most fertile areas in the entire country. Here is a scouting rundown on the top 50 (or so) recruits from the New Orleans Metro and surrounding areas.

1. DT Ishmael Sopsher (6-5, 280) Amite
Twice named All State and ranked as the nation’s top Class of 2019 prospect by 247 Sports and No. 3 nationally by Rivals, he possesses all the ingredients you are seeking, foot speed, quickness, very similar to Rashard Lawrence (LSU), Many times appears unblockable. Powerful hands. Top five look like LSU, Florida State, Michigan, Florida and Ole Miss. A “must get” in the eyes of Tiger coaching staff.

2. WR Devonta Lee (6-2, 212) Amite
This prospect has a 4 star grade, but could change. Rare that one school can occupy top two spots. The 4.4 sprinter has game changing skills. Super catching radius, big target, velcro hands, like Michael Thomas (Saints) at same stage. He also excels on hardwood. Offers from LSU, Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Miami, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Miss.issippiState.

3. WR Trey Palmer (6-1, 170) Kentwood
Runs a 10.4 in 100 meters. Good separation, makes difficult catches, game changer, PR extraordinaire. On baseball diamond batted .380. Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Michigan, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss. LSU in good shape.

4. OLB Donte Starks (6-1, 225) John Ehret
4 star moved to Biloxi and returned.. Rated No. 2 ILB in country, Under Armour All American. Downhill tackler, violent, devastating tackler. LSU has lead. Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan., Indiana, UL Lafayette, Oklahoma, Tulane, Tennessee, Louisville.

5. WR Quinton Torbor (6-2, 185) Destrehan
Super work ethic, silky smooth, big play WR, good routes, comes back to ball. Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Memphis. LSU with interest.

6. CB Devin Bush (5-11, 184) Edna Karr
Super hips, transitions well, good break on ball, jumps route, good anticipation, dangerous kick returner. Auburn, Fla., Ga., LSU, Florida State, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, LA Tech and Kansas.

7. RB John Emery (6-0, 198) Destrehan
Like a runaway truck, keeps legs churning, workhorse type, engine runs hot,, sheer power. Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, Auburn, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss. Mickey Joseph and Tommy Robinson doing good job for Tigers.

8. CB Donald Clay (5-10, 170) John Curtis Christian
Three-star prospect. Physical, openfield tackler, reacts quickly, stays step for step with WR, confidence. Tulane, Memphis, Indiana, Kentucky (leader), LA Tech, UAB, Marshall, Arkansas, Ball State, Troy, UTSA, SMU, Temple and South Alabama.

9. CB Chester Kimbrough (5-10, 155) Warren Easton
Four-star prospect. Can play safety, CB, nickel, hips, lateral movement, ball skills, quick trigger reactions, football IQ. Georgia, Kansas, LA Tech, Tulane, Marshall, Oregon State, Missouri, Mississippi State, Western Kentucky.

10. CB Gregory Brooks (5-11, 175) West Jefferson
Runs 4.55 forty, coverage skills, ball awareness, Closing speed, plays with zeal, good angles, dad played at Southern Miss and NFL.

11. QB Travis Mumphrey (6-0, 186) John Ehret
Three-star prospect. Good delivery, goes through progressions, tight throws, four-year starter, locates receiver, extends play, smart in pre-snap. Arizona out front, Mississippi State, Tulane, Arizona State, Colorado State, Arkansas State, ULM, Southern Miss, Troy, Indiana.

12. RB Antonio Joseph (5-11, 216) Riverdale
Has 4.55 speed in forty, good balance, runs angry, power back, runs behind pads, four-year starter, cuts at full speed, very determined, jump cuts. UL Lafayette offer with LSU, Ole Miss, Memphis and Kansas watching.

13. DE/TE Earl Barquet (6-3, 235) John Ehret
Physical, very athletic, good upside. Offers from Miss. State, Oklahoma, Arkansas State and Iowa.

14. SS Jalen Henderson (6-0, 190) McDonogh 35
Good timing, knack for big play, Delivers big hit. Offers from Troy, Indiana, LA Tech and Jackson State

15. RB Ronnie Jackson (6-0, 200) Karr
Has 4.5 speed in 40, called “Action” Jackson, very physical, runs between tackles, can bounce outside, gets yards after contact, north-south runner, had 4 touchdowns against Landry-Walker. McNeese and Jackson State with offers.

16. S/CB Ishmael Burdine (5-11, 195) Slidell
Runs 4.46 forty, physical, open field tackler, PBU’s, tracks ball. Tulane likes a lot, Kansas State, Tulane, Utah, La. Tech, Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Southern Miss.

17. WR Jacob Bernard (5-11, 195) Lakeshore
Had 59 grabs for 1,298 yards and 14 TDs for Class 4A state finalists in 2017. Super PR, Outstanding OF in baseball. Slot receiver similar to Julian Edelman. Army West Point with an offer.

(tie) OT Caleb Etienne (6-6, 306) Warren Easton
Moves well, plays snap to whistle, good balance. Offer from Oregon State.

18. QB Lance LeGendre (6-2, 206) Warren Easton
Passed for more than 2,000 yards and 23 TDs and rushes for additional 500 yards and 10 scores as junior. Makes accurate back shoulder throws, started as sophomore, quick delivery, accurate, good mechanics. Offers from Alabama, Tulane, Memphis, Oregon State, So. Miss. Okla. State, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee.

19. DE Eldridge Walker (6-2, 258) John Ehret
Penetration, active pass rusher, uses hands. ULM offer.

20. CB/WR Kiaeem Green (6-3, 206) Warren Easton
Physical, could be DB, OLB, TE, WR. Offers from La. Tech and Marshall.

21. WR/RB Chad Alexander (5-5, 165) Landry-Walker
Runs 4.45 forty, good routes, hands, tough, shifty. Offers from Troy, Southeastern Louisiana.

22. QB Chandler Fields (5-11, 185) Archbishop Rummel
Decent arm strength, operates spread offense, feels pressure, eyes downfield, hard worker, good delivery, steps into throws, four-year starter in Catholic League. Memphis with offer plus Arizona State and Oklahoma State observing.

23. C/G Ketaj Castillo (6-3, 295) John Ehret
Physical, gets to second level, pass blocker. Jackson State offer.

24. WR Kash Foley (6-2, 172) Riverside
Possesses 4.5 speed, All-District in football and basketball. Good hands, elusive, cradles ball, make difficult catch. Offers from UAB, Kansas, looks from Tulane and UL Lafayette.

25. RB Brandon LeGendre (5-9, 170) E.D. White Catholic
Not familiar with him? Answers to nickname “Zero”, runs a 4.43 forty (which was fastest time at Tulane camp last July), 3.2 GPA, scored 31 touchdowns last season, Explosive, could be sleeper in this class, baseball talent as shortstop who covers a lot of ground and gets on base. Could be RB, slot or KR. Nicholls, UL Lafayette, Tulane and Southern Miss want him.

26. G Khyron Crump (6-1, 313) Landry-Walker
Blue collar attitude, hard worker. Southland, SWAC prospect.

27. ATH Jacquan Dorsey (5-10, 175) Landry-Walker
Should be WR in college. Athletic. SWAC, Southland prospect.

28. QB Amani Gilmore (6-2, 185) Hammond
Pro-style quarterback who’s also an outstanding left-handed pitcher with 84 mph fastball, curve, change up. SWAC, Southland schools.

29. CB Devin Hookfin (5-8, 165) Kentwood.
Great confidence, knack for big play, blankets WR, Nicholls watching.

30. TE Hoxie Brown (6-2, 210) East St. John
Good hands, SWAC prospect.

31. CB/S Austin Jones (6-1, 165) McDonogh 35
Has 4.5 speed, could move up charts as process continues, good vertical, instincts, recognizes quickly. Offers from Tulane and Indiana.

32. FS/SS Jarius Monroe (6-0, 175) East St. John
Quickness, dialed in, shadows WR. SWAC and state schools.

33. OLB Jonathan Porter (6-3, 220) West St. John
In 2017 had 91 stops, 15 sacks, 27 TFL earning All State honors. Locates ball, physical at point, pass rusher, flies off edge. Sun Belt and potential American Athletic Conference prospect.

34. RB Kylan Duhe (5-10, 185) West St. John
Good student with 3.0 GPA, had 1,704 yards (7.3 average) 22 TD’s in 2017 as WSJ won Class 1A state title. 4 receiving TD’s, warrior mentality, YAC, Balance, body lean.

35. TE Levon Williams (6-3, 215) John Curtis Christian
Another good student with 3.5 GPA, played in shadow of Glenn Beal but will be more involved in 2018. Great hands. Sun Belt, American, Conference USA, state schools.

36. NT Wilbert Robertson (6-0, 340) Riverside
Dominating, space eater, overpowers opponent, moves well. Potential SWAC prospect.

37. LB Niko Roy (6-0, 225) West St. John
Two-way star on Class 1A state champs who had 90 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions in 2017. Also carried ball for 1,247 yards (7.7 yard average) and 27 touchdowns. Plays with passion,  fierce hitter, empties bucket each time he plays. SWAC, Southland, Sun Belt schools.

38. RB Ahmad Antoine (5-11, 195) Karr
Possesses 4.5 speed. Rushed for 222 yards and two scores vs. McDonogh 35. North-south runner, good vision, should move up charts, breaks tackles, very determined runner. South Alabama and Georgia Tech with offers.

(tie) CB Tremayne Brown (5-7, 175) St. Augustine
4.6 speed. Flips hips, good in coverage. SWAC, Southland schools.

39. RB Kendall Collins (5-7, 180) De La Salle
Starter at RB for Division II state finalists. Good for run after catch, vision, patience, Southland, state schools.

40. QB Martin Butcher (6-0, 170) Newman
Broke Peyton Manning’s single season record at Newman with 2,840 passing yards. Completed 66 percent of his attempts and passed for 31 TDs. Accurate, good decisions, progressions, good placement. Good poise, tear drop throws. Nicholls, Southern Miss watching closely.

(tie) RB Dontaz Sterling (5-6, 168) St. James
4.45 speed, knifes through hole, good burst, full speed on 2nd step, capable of WOW plays. 4 X 100 and 4 X 200 relay. SWAC and SLC.

41. QB Harold (JR) Blood (6-2, 185) Destrehan
Leadership, surveys field, competitor, good tools, doesn’t get jostled. State schools.

42. WR Edward Magee (6-0, 170) Kentwood
Has 4.6 speed, teammate of Trey Palmer (No. 3 prospect on this list), possession WR, adjusts to throw. Should get a lot of single coverage due to attention Palmer will receive. SWAC, state schools.

43. ATH Jhaquan Jackson (5-10, 180) Hahnville
Plays QB but should move to WR where 4.45 speed will benefit him, a gamer. SWAC, Southland, state schools.

44. G Ahmad Bradley (6-2, 325) John Ehret
Dominating blocker, four-year starter, pulls and traps, pancake blocks, All District. Southland, state schools, Sun Belt.

45. RB Terrell “Smoke” Brown (5-11, 190) Helen Cox
Gaining attention, explosive, vision. Cutback runner, wiggle, acceleration. La. Tech with offer.

46. RB Tito Simmons (5-8, 165) Slidell
All-purpose back who had 264 yards rushing and receiving against Ponchatoula. Gives extra effort, like trying to catch butterfly in wind tunnel, SWAC and Southland schools interested

47. DE Rashawn Galaspy (6-4, 245) Salmen
Had 10 sacks and 13 TFL in 2017. Good in basketball. Collapses pocket, good feet, uses hands. Southland, Sun Belt, state schools.

48. WR DeAndre “Ace” Cooper (5-9, 160) St. Augustine
X receiver, deep routes, jet sweep, willing blocker, explosive. Opened eyes at LSU camp, SWAC, state, Southland.

49. WR/OLB Cameron Lee (6-5, 220) Jewel Sumner
Strong, tough, not fast, quick, good reach, 200 and 400 meters. SWAC, Southland, state schools.

50-OG Chester Martin (6-3, 310) Jewel Sumner
Shot put (track) drives opponent, gets better each week. Southland, state schools.

(tie) OLB Theodore Tyler (6-1, 225) De La Salle
Great effort, can run, uses hands well. State schools. Will move up charts.