Takeaways from the weekend

We’re past the midway point of the high school football season around the South. Week 7’s slate included a pair of Louisiana showdowns in the Acadiana and Baton Rouge areas featuring notable recruits like On300 junior DB Ju’Juan Johnson, Notre Dame commit Jaiden Ausberry and Alabama legacy Keylan Moses.

On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman was on hand for both games. Here are some takeaways from the action and around the area:

Ausberry flashes versatility

Jaiden Ausberry has been an impact contributor for Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab as a freshman for the area powerhouse, and as a senior elevated his game to another level as he’s added multiple roles to his resume. The four-star Notre Dame commit saw action as his natural position an inside linebacker, but also returned kicks and saw goal-line carries for the Cubs, who are using Ausberry much like former U-High standout Christian Harris, who had a stellar career at the prep level before doing the same at Alabama and now, the Houston Texans.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Ausberry naturally finds the football and was outstanding clogging up running lanes and limiting inside runs. He also has fantastic speed to help slow down runs to the sideline and gives his defense an added element as a blitzer. Ausberry has great closing speed and is difficult to contain coming up inside gaps or off the edge.

Ausberry also flashed returning kicks and out of the backfield. He accounted for three rushing scores, a sack and also a blocked punt in the tilt. He’s continued to add strength to his game and speed to his game, and should be a nice piece for Marcus Freeman to insert to his defensive front seven.

Next Moses is in mid-season form

As we begin to gain clarity on the up-and-coming 2025 class, there is no doubt that Keylan Moses is in consideration as one of the more impactful defensive prospects in that collection. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore is taking on a lot of the same responsibilities as Ausberry and his older brother Dylan Moses as a runner, special teams ace and a hybrid ROVER on the defensive side of the ball.

Moses opened the game with a compelling open-field tackle on the initial kickoff, the first of several special teams plays made by the 2025 standout. Lining up close to the line of scrimmage and covering receivers in the slot, Moses is wearing many caps for the Cubs and making his presence felt largely as a front-seven defender. He darts to the ball carrier and can fly down the sideline. Moses is notorious for hitting with authority, which was also on display on numerous occasions.

Moses was a major factor in multiple facets of this showdown with touchdowns, sacks, tackles for loss and more, and he’s just beginning to scratch the surface. He’s beginning to fill out his frame and has a unique skill set to be a difference-maker on defense in the 2025 cycle.

Johnson makes plays both ways

Ju’Juan Johnson is a three-year starter for Lafayette (La.) Christian Academy, now entrenched as one of the top programs in Louisiana out of the Acadiana area. Johnson has guided the Knights to the championship as their quarterback and is now one of the most sought-after defensive backs in the nation after tearing up camps across the nation this summer. Johnson clocked a 4.5 40 in Nebraska before earning an offer, then did the same at LSU and Alabama and on.

Playing quarterback, Johnson was LCA’s top playmaker offensively with the rock in his hands and came away with several long runs as he evaded pressure and also took over in the open field. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Johnson runs with conviction. He’s elusive with quick hips and short-area burst and has outstanding football awareness to play the quarterback position.

With the game in the balance, Johnson shifted over the defensive back and made a third-down pass breakup out of slot, where his skill set is an ideal match. Johnson turned and ran with the slot receiver and perfectly deflected it. He was also in position to cover on the game’s final play despite an unbelievable throw and catch that decided the outcome.

Johnson is one of the more intriguing athletes in the country regardless of position and has taken to defensive back so seamlessly. The Tigers are out in front for Johnson according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Jones shows out in wild win

David Jones remains one of the top uncommitted cornerbacks in the country and showed off everything in the toolbox in Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep’s victory last weekend. The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back worked at both cornerback and deep at safety, while also scoring three long touchdowns as the focal point of the Chargers’ passing game. Jones also returned punts in this game.

All three of Jones’ touchdowns came on balls launched downfield, where the electric defender broke away from coverage on two and won a 50-50 ball over the outstretched arms of a DB. Speed has been a topic of conversation surrounding Jones, but his play speed didn’t come up as a question in this one.

Defensively, Jones patrolled the back end of the secondary aggressively. He showed off his range at safety to cover over the middle and out on the perimeter. He was racing to the ball often against the run, too, and is one of the hidden gems in the secondary still on the market. Jones’ instinctual, ball-hawking play gives him position versatility as a complimentary piece on the back end. Nebraska leads the way on On3’s RPM.

Hills, Lewis highlight front seven in 2024

The LCA defensive front seven is littered with playmakers in 2024 standouts Melvin Hills and Sandy Lewis, who provide the Knights with a formidable 1-2 punch off the edge. Hills, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound DL, largely occupied the 4- and 5-gaps while Lewis, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound EDGE, worked as an off-the-ball linebacker largely tasked with applying pressure. LSU is favored on the RPM.

Hills was a force with a two-sack effort and was consistently able to collapse the pocket and force opposing quarterbacks out of the pocket. A massive presence along the defensive line, Hill was able to assist in controlling the outside run game well. There’s still room for Hills to grow, but he flashed as a DL capable of playing multiple spots up front and generating an interior pass rush.

Lewis’ impact might not be accounted for in the boxscore, but the 2024 off-ball linebacker was a force flying off the edge and could not be contained on several instances. Lewis’ pressure forced the opposing quarterback to move out of the pocket and alter the play. In addition to a high motor, Lewis impressed with his use of hands and first-step quickness. Alabama leads early on the RPM.

Time to put Welch on the map

There is an elite 2023 quarterback class in The Boot and the next wave of signal-callers are also beginning to emerge. One to keep an eye out for is Lafayette (La.) Teurlings Catholic QB Preston Welch, who engineered a game-winning series with less than two minutes on the road and delivered in crunch time with a bullet over a defender’s reach.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder from Lafayette was under duress from the vaunted LCA front seven much of the night, but was largely unscathed and maintained his composure. Welch took some big hits and continued to deliver accurate passes in the short and intermediate levels of the field. He throws with excellent timing and touch, and was sharp attacking single coverage down the seams on several occasions and also fitting into holes in the zone.

Welch holds an early UAB offer and is making a compelling case as one of the best quarterbacks in the state more than halfway through his junior campaign. He’s a colossal reason why Teurlings has been one of the best teams so far. Welch is a strong decision-maker with a physical skill set to play on Saturdays undoubtedly. Power 5 coaches confirmed as much. His toughness and demeanor in crunch time can’t go unnoticed, especially at the position.

Additional notes

• Talented 2024 Baton Rouge (La.) University DB Marcus Dawson has shifted back to safety for his junior season and is excelling in the new role. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is a physical force in the run game with several crushing open-field stops and covering plenty of ground in the process. Dawson also was heavily involved in coverage, coming away with his second interception in as many weeks. He also covered well over the top on several attempts his direction.
• 2023 Baton Rouge (La.) Madison Prep safety Treylan James fits the “sleeper” bill as a 6-foot-2, 185-pound athlete that made plays on offense and defense. James is a sure tackler that was among the leaders in tackles and also showed the size advantage and ball skills on a deep touchdown reception.
• Talented 2026 Baton Rouge (La.) University OT Lamar Brown saw action in the trenches on both lines, and at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds led one Big 12 coach this spring to tell On3 that they would sign him in this cycle. Brown can overpower up front, but impressed more so with his ability to get to the second level and block as a freshman. LSU is an early favorite on the RPM.
• Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill RB Rickey Stewart is another 2025 prospect midway through a breakout campaign out in East Texas. Stewart has exceptional burst in and out of his breaks, with a special cutting ability and breakaway speed. One source believes he hasn’t “scratched his potential” as a recruit and will be heavily invested in the weight room this offseason. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, Stewart is emerging as one of the top backs in the region in the 2025 cycle.