Tulane, other Louisiana schools look to close 2018 football recruiting efforts strong

The landscape of recruiting for college football teams in Louisiana is extremely promising. Here is a look as we wind down to the early signing period just a little over one month away.

Tulane’s targets include 3 star cornerback Jarvis Ware, a 5-foot-11, 170 pounder out of Apopka, Fla. who has a few choices. The Wave are competing with UMass, Missouri, USF and Oregon State for his services.

ULL, Tulane, Kansas are the top three for 3 star safety Trae Hall (6-2, 190) out of Henderson, Texas.

Columbia, Miss. running back Jarveon Howard (5’10-202, 4.5) has Tulane with Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss as top options.

Outside linebacker DeQuan Jackson (6’2-195) is a 3 star talent from Jacksonville, Fla. with many options left on the table. His top 10 schools are Western Kentucky, Tulane, USF, South Alabama, Purdue, Memphis, Maryland, Colorado State, Appalachian State and Charlotte.

DaRyan Williams (5’11-199), a 3 star safety from Nacogdoches, Texas, looks like a Tulane and Texas State battle.

Tight end Chris Carter from Homestaed, Texas visits Tulane on December 15. The 6-3, 230 pounder is currently a South Florida pledge.

Meanwhile, ULL has just three commitments for 2018 right now, but the Ragin’ Cajuns certainly have others on their radar.

Jones County Community College’s dual threat quarterback Mason Blocker (6’3-200, 4.5) is someone the Cajuns like. He played his high school football at Mandeville High. Blocker, who has already visited UCF and Alabama State, will have to decide if he wants to go to Lafayette and compete with current freshman starter Levi Lewis.

Henderson, Texas athlete Trae Hall (6’2-180) has both ULL and Tulane on his list along with Kansas to make up his top three.

Defensive tackle Kyron Mims has camped at Arkansas. He received interest from Ball State, ULL, Colorado State, Eastern Illinois. Jackson State is in the fray for the 6-3, 274 pounder from Woodlawn (Baton Rouge).

Quarterback Chris Scott (6-2, 185) is a pro style prospect from Natchez who has ULL and Alcorn as his choices.

Safety Jamarceon Jackson (6-0, 190) from Cedar Hills, Texas is another Ragin Cajun target. He also likes UTSA, Mississippi State, La. Tech and ULM.

Louisiana Tech has 13 commitments thus far for ’18. Here are some other names the Bulldogs are eyeing.

Wide receiver Nathan Page (6-0, 175) from Little Rock has Arkansas State and La. Tech leading the pack with ULM and Tulane watching with interest.

La. Tech’s history of outstanding runners could help sway Arizona Western College running back Greg Bell (6-0, 200), who looking at La. Tech, Fresno State, New Mexico and San Diego State.

Inside linebacker Alexander Vainikolo (6-0, 235) from Mt. Antonio College appears to favor La. Tech.

Offensive tackle Jaz Gasaway (6’7-265), a 3 star from Star City, Arkansas, has in-state schools Arkansas State and Central Arkansas interested along with La. Tech, Tulane, Air Force, ULM, Marshall in mix.

Wide receiver Steven Brumfield (5-11, 160) at Lake Area New Tech in New Orleans is being wooed by La. Tech, Grambling, ULM, ULL, Memphis, Tulane and Texas Tech.

Carencro outside linebacker Ryan Malbrough (6-0, 200) will come down to Kansas, Memphis, La. Tech and Kansas State.

The ULM Warhawks have 10 pledges with these others on the radar.

ULM paces the pack for Conner Parsons (6-4, 290), an offensive guard from Mansfield, Texas, while Stephen F. Austin, Northwestern State and Morgan State trail.

Wide receiver Josh Newton (5-11, 175) from Ouachita Parish may stay close to home. ULM is in great shape.

The nationally ranked Nicholls Colonels are looking to take advantage of their on-field surge.

St. Augustine NT Dante Carter (5’11-318) would be a nice get for Nicholls but he still has offers from Arkansas State, Houston Baptist, Idaho, McNeese, SLU and Texas State.

Multi-sport athlete Lloyd Nash (5-10, 160) from St. Charles Catholic will convert from quarterback to cornerback for Colonels. He has made plays on defense while playing both ways at times for prep coach Frank Monica.

Nicholls is close with Diallo Landry (6’3-190), a Catholic New Iberia safety with great ball skills.

The McNeese Cowboys are ranked again and playing well. They have five pledges right now:
-TE Chase Davis (6-2, 220) Sachse, Texas.
-OG Charley Zeno (6-2, 290) Cibolo, Texas
-CB John Blunt (6-1, 155) Arlington, Texas
-DE Joshua Carr (6-3, 208) Houston
-CB Damien Tate (5-8, 170) Warren Easton in N.O.

Northwestern State has one pledge, 3 star pro style quarterback Cam Arnold (6’1-200) from Cypress, Texas, who has offers from Incarnate Word, Midwestern State. He also has been getting looks from Texas Tech, North Texas, ULM and Baylor.

Others on the Demons’ radar include:

OG/OC Calvin Barkat (6-3, 260) Sachse, Texas also has offers from Abilene Christian, UCF and Missouri State.
OG Conner Parsons (6-4, 260) from Mansfield, Texas has offers from NW State, ULM, SFA and Morgan State.
DE Donovan King (6-2, 225) Pearland, Texas has offers from Northwestern State, New Mexico State and Liberty.

Grambling State has five pledges for 2018:
-QB Ricky Travis (6-4, 188) St. Helena Central
-DB Angelo Collins (6-2, 170) Ouachita Parish
-CB Ryan Fields (6-0, 160) Cypress, Texas
RB Queze Brutton (5-6, 160) Tallahassee, Fla.
RB Keilon Elder (5-8, 205) Duncanville, Texas

Southern Jaguars have a couple of local targets of note:
-QB Cameron Lewis (6’3-200; 4.58) from McDonogh 35 also has East Tennessee State and Jackson State with interest.
-OLB Byron Jenkins (6’2-215) from John Ehret is considering Southern with Eastern Illinois, Jackson State, Houston Baptist, Idaho and SMU.