Recruiting: Updating the best Class of 2019 football talent in New Orleans

Back in January, I released my early list of prospects for the 2019 signing class from the Metro New Orleans area. Here is the revised list.

1-Ishmael Sopsher (6-4, 330) Amite DT
The 5 star talent maintains his top spot. Twice named All State, Sopsher is similar to Rashard Lawrence at this same career stage. He is totally disruptive and at times appears unblockable. His top three are LSU, Alabama and Florida State.

2-Donte Starks (6-1, 225) John Ehret LB
He moves up from the fourth slot. The Under Armour All American is a violent, downhill tackler. LSU is the heavy favorite with Auburn making a push.

3-Devonta Lee (6-2, 212, 4.4) Amite WR
A gamechanger, Lee has a tremendous catching radius and velcro hands. He also excels on hardwood. Looks to be an LSU-Alabama finish.

4-John Emory (6-0, 194) Destrehan RB
A runaway truck who I previously listed No. 7, Emory is a workhorse type who keeps his legs churning. He has LSU, Michigan, Florida, USC and Mississippi State among top options.

5-Trey Palmer (6-0, 180) Kentwood WR
He has impressive 10.4 hundred speed. Palmer gains great separation and makes difficult catches. He is also a kick return specialist and great on the baseball diamond batting .380. LSU sits atop his list with Alabama, Auburn and Florida trailing.

6-Devin Bush (5-11, 190) Karr CB
Possessing super hips, he transitions well and makes good breaks on balls. Bush can jump routes with anticipation. He is also a dangerous kick returner. LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Auburn and Clemson lead the chase.

7-Lance LeGendre (6-2, 205) Warren Easton QB
He has vaulted up from the No. 18 slot on my list. Nicknamed “12 Gauge,” LeGendre can throw make any throw. He has a quick delivery. Having started as a sophomore, he has already developed good mechanics and accuracy. Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Tulane, Virginia, Tennessee, Oregon State, Houston, Missouri are all vying for his signature.

8-Chester Kimbrough (5-11, 168) Warren Easton CB
This versatile defender can play safety, nickel or corner. He has great hips and lateral movement, ball skills and a high football IQ. Florida currently sits aop Kimbrough’s list but Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi State, Michigan and Ole Miss are also factors.

9-Quinton Torbor (6-2, 182) Destrehan WR (Mississippi State commit)
He has great length and super work ethic. Torbor is smooth into and out of routes. He has coveted big play skills.

10-Earl Barquet (6-3, 236) Ehret DE
Previously No. 13 on my list, he is physical and very athletic. Barquet loves Oklahoma while ULL, ULM, La. Tech, Georgia, Arkansas State and Florida State are all giving their best shot.

11-Ahmad Antoine (5-9, 175, 4.5) Karr RB
My No. 38 prospect in January had 222 yards and two touchdowns in an eye-catching effort against McDonogh 35. Antoine has good lean and proves a determined runner. Boston College, Ga. Tech, La. Tech, Kansas, ULL, Kentucky and Indiana are options.

12-Ishmael Burdine (6-1, 175) Slidell safety
Up from my No. 16, Burdine has 4.46 forty, tracks balls well in the air and shows physicality as an open field tackler. Kansas State, Missouri and Miss State have made their mark with him.

13-Gregory Brooks (5-10, 175) West Jefferson CB
He shows the coverage skills, closing speed, good angles to ball and desire needed for success. Arkansas, Mississippi State and Ole Miss pace the pack.

14-Donald Clay (5-11, 175) John Curtis CB
He shows great reactions to throws and runs step-for-step with receivers. Clay has the confidence needed to play corner. SMU, Kentucky and Arizona State are his top three with Kentucky may be holding a slight edge in the chase.

15-Kyle Maxwell (6-3, 175) Amite WR
He has rocketed up the recruiting charts the past few months. Maxwell will see a lot of single coverage because of teammate Devonta Lee so expect him to shine. Maxwell has drawn offers from Tennessee, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Tulane and Memphis.

16-Jha’ Quan Jackson (5-10, 175) Hahnville ATH (SMU commitment)
Although he plays QB, he is a receiver for the next level. Jackson was my No. 43 prospect in January. Explosive (4.45 speed) as a runner, he is a gamer willing to do whatever it takes on the field. He’ll likely play receiver for SMU.

17-Jacob Bernard (5-11, 185) Lakeshore WR
He managed 59 grabs for 1,298 yards and 14 touchdowns last season in his school’s best season ever. He is an electrifying return specialist. Bernard is also great as a baseball outfielder. He projects as a slot receiver who has current offers from Army, Air Force, South Alabama, North Texas, Kentucky, Southern Miss, Memphis, Ball State, Tulane and Colorado State.

18- Kiaeem Green (6-3, 206) Warren Easton WR (Louisiana Tech commit)
Able to quickly get into his routes, Green is fearless running crossing routes in particular. He is a physical player who loves to block. Took Tech’s offer over one from Marshall in March.

19-Chandler Fields (6-0, 185) Rummel QB (Louisiana-Lafayette commit)
He has good arm strength needed to thrive in a wide-open spread offense. A hard worker who has a good delivery, Fields steps into throws. He brings experience as a four-year starter.

20- Kash Foley (6-0, 170) Riverside WR
An All-District Football and Basketball standout with good hands, Foley is an elusive runner after the catch who also makes difficult grabs. Kansas, ULL, UAB, Kentucky, Tulane, Southern Miss and Western Kentucky are chasing.

21- Jarius Monroe (6-1, 185) East St. John safety
Up from No. 32, he may still be underrated as a defender who shadows receivers well. Arkansas Pine-Bluff, McNeese, Nicholls and Ball State have offered so far.

22-Terrell “Smoke” Brown (5-11, 190) Helen Cox RB
He made a big move up from No. 45. Brown shows great vision as a cutback runner with some wiggle. He accelerates and bounces outside to make big runs. Arkansas, Florida, Texas State, UAB, South Fla., La. Tech and Northwestern State have all taken notice.

23-Travis Mumphrey (6-0, 186) John Ehret QB (New Mexico commit)
With a good delivery and ability to go through progressions, this four-year starter shows polish. Smart in pre-snap reads, he can also improvsise to extend plays. Arizona, Ga. Tech, Indiana, ULM, Tulane, Troy, Tennessee and Southern Miss have also shown interest.

24-Ronnie Jackson (5-10, 190) Karr RB
A physical between-the-tackles runner, he gains good YAC and gets upfield quickly. He had four touchdowns against Landry-Walker in a huge rivalry game last season. Kentucky, Jackson State and McNeese have taken notice.

25-Tyruss Gayden (5-10, 165) West Jefferson CB
Another recruit who has shot up charts, he has proper ball skills and mirrors receivers. Air Force, Army, Harvard have all offered.

26-Jalen Henderson (6-0, 190) McDonogh 35 strong safety
His knack for big plays and knockout hits pop on film. Indiana, La. Tech, ULM, South Alabama, Texas State, Toledo and Troy are chasing.

27-Antonio Joseph (5-10, 205) Riverdale RB
He has great balance and runs angry. Another four-year starter who shows it. He cuts at full speed and runs determined and behind his pads with intent. ULL, ULM, Northwestern State, McNeese and Nicholls have offered.

28- Eldridge Walker (6-2, 250) Ehret OLB/DE
He is versatile enough to line up at 3 tech or 5 tech. Walker uses his hands to ward off blockers. ULM and Western Kentucky would like to lock him up.