Top performers from Louisiana state football championships
NEW ORLEANS — Championship weekend returned to the Caesars Superdome last weekend as some of the best teams around Louisiana gathered under one roof to decide eight state champions. The future stars of Saturday and even Sunday were also in attendance.
Talented players from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 recruiting classes and beyond showed out in the Dome over the weekend. On3 was on hand for all of the action throughout. Here are On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman’s top performers:
On3 MVP: LB Tackett Curtis – USC
Elite Many (La.) LB Tackett Curtis was brilliant in his prep sendoff, which certainly has been a theme for the season. This fall, Curtis has been a force that can’t be withstood, and Saturday’s finale was more of the same. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder churned out 111 yards on seven carries (15.9 YPC), which included a sensational 80-yard burst in the opening half in which Curtis dispelled would-be tacklers and somehow maintained his balance to finish off the run.
By the way, that, too, has been a theme all season long.
Defensively, Curtis accounted for seven tackles and another TFL. He can deliver big hits, but in this contest, the longtime USC commit was quick to hit the gaps and sound containing and wrapping up against the Trey Holly-led rushing attack. He’s a bonafide difference-maker and capped a stellar prep career with a resounding effort in a rivalry game. After multiple in-person evaluations, this analyst believes Curtis is squarely in the conversation as one of the best players at his position in this cycle.
2. QB D’Wanye Winfield
There was no doubt about MVP when the confetti rained down on Lutcher (La.) following the program’s ninth state title win. Three-star do-it-all QB D’Wanye Winfield came up with a handful of big-time throws in critical passing situations throughout the game and continued his streak of big games rushing with 146 yards in the win.
Winfield completed 20-of-32 for 299 yards and three touchdowns, including a few strikes on touchdowns and plays to move the sticks. The elephant in the room on Winfield is about his passing, which was quickly erased with accurate throws on an end-zone fade late in the first half. Winfield, affectionately nicknamed “Lunch,” put it on the money again on a deep sideline fade on fourth-and-4 and again right over the grasp of a defender in coverage on a 50-50 ball on third-and-13.
There are areas of Winfield’s game that’ll develop with time, but he shined delivering from the pocket and off-schedule playmaking ability outside of it. Florida State was primed to make a move for Lunch before flipping Brock Glenn away from the Buckeyes. In-state programs are hoping Winfield stays close to home.
3. ATH Ju’Juan Johnson
On300 ATH Ju’Juan Johnson set a Louisiana championship record with 585 total yards of offense on top of five touchdowns in Friday’s tight back-and-forth battle between Acadiana area powers St. Thomas More and Lafayette Christian. Johnson, the four-star do-it-all playmaker for LCA, is a three-year starter at quarterback and was electric with the ball in his hands. Johnson piled up 238 yards rushing averaging almost 8 yards per clip.
Johnson is elusive in the open field with quick feet and can seamlessly change direction. He’s an outstanding high school quarterback and he’s going to be an even better defensive back on Saturdays because of it. The in-state Tigers are leading the pack on the RPM for Johnson, who seems primed to come back with a vengeance next season.
4. DB Craydon Long
2023 Lutcher CB Craydon Long had the game of his life under the bright lights of the Superdome. The senior defensive back corralled three interceptions and nearly had a fourth in the back-and-forth shootout against high-flying North DeSoto on Saturday. Long looked like the receivers in most of the instances during the game and jumped the same route twice seamlessly.
On the evening before kickoff, members of Long’s family were involved in a car wreck. He certainly played incredibly in their honor.
5. ATH Michael Turner
Catholic League rivals John Curtis and Brother Martin squared off in the Superdome in a game decided by a few key moments. 2024 Curtis ATH Michael Turner was responsible for many of them taking snaps throughout the game at receiver and back deep at safety.
The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder opened the game with a 38-yard touchdown reception, flashing the elite speed over the top. Turner then came away with an interception and stayed in-bounds while securing the football. The multi-sport standout finished with two receptions for 52 yards in Curtis’ victory.
This spring, Turner clocked a 10.71-second 100-meter time and an impressive 6-2 in high jump. He blends size, speed and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Texas Tech and Tulane have offered, and his recruitment should pick up ahead of his senior year.
6. RB Trey Holly – LSU
Four-star Farmersville (La.) Union Parish RB Trey Holly’s record-setting prep career came after leading his Farmers to the promised land three years in a row. Undoubtedly, there’s no coincidence that Holly’s breakthrough sophomore season in which he finished fourth in the nation in rushing started this impressive Union run at the title. It’s sandwiched with Holly’s last hurrah in the Dome, in which one of the toughest backs in the country continued to pepper his lead in the record books.
The LSU commit broke loose for a 63-yard run in the first quarter bulldozing through and bouncing off Many defenders before bursting through a cloud of dust. Holly finished with 156 all-purpose yards and notched his 13th 100-yard game of the season, not to mention saw critical defensive snaps at linebacker, where he recorded three stops, a TFL and a pass defensed. Holly is also the Farmers’ punter and averaged 32.5 yards with one pinned down inside the 20-yard line.
Holly scored his 160th prep touchdown and heads to LSU with a state-leading 10,524 rushing yards. His physical running style has been a staple of great SEC backs over the years and only the state’s best defenses have been able to contain Holly in these finales. He’ll play a role for the Tigers sooner rather than later.
7. ATH Anthony Robinson
2024 Destrehan (La.) hybrid DB Anthony Robinson was a Swiss Army Knife in the Wildcats’ hard-fought clash with Ruston. Lining up all across the secondary at corner and as a nickel, Robinson flew to the football and tacked on six tackles and helped cause and recover the first-half fumble (forced by DB Kevin Adams) that turned into Destrehan points.
Robinson was also injected into the high-flying offense as a receiver in the slot and movable Chess piece. He came up with 19 yards on the ground and a 12-yard reception and in the process, some imperative first-downs. Robinson is an instinctive player and should continue to gain more responsibilities and volume into his senior year. He’s on the radars of SEC and Big Ten teams around the country and should be a household name by this time next year.
8. LB Jadon Mayfield
2024 Ruston LB Jadon Mayfield has been a staple on the Bearcats’ front seven since he was a freshman and has continued to ascend as one of the better linebackers in-state in next year’s class. Against a very forceful and sizable Destrehan offensive line and talented RB in Shane Lee, Mayfield wreaked havoc with a team-leading nine tackles, including 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage and a sack.
Mayfield saw additional snaps as a back and receiver and brings a great profile to the middle of the defense. He’s instinctive and plays downhill with a very good nose for the ball. Central Michigan is favored on the RPM, but there’s bound to be more competition on the way.
9. DB Tylen Singleton
Elite 2024 Many hybrid defender Tylen Singleton is arguably the hardest-hitting defender in the state and has flashed in that element for much of his time playing on this stage over the past few Decembers. Working out at cornerback as well as an off-ball linebacker, Singleton was sound slowing down the potent Union running game and equally as sure in 1-on-1 coverage.
Singleton shared the team lead with seven tackles on top of a TFL and fumble forced and recovered. He aggressively ripped the ball out after a reception in front of him, then pounced on it. Singleton also chased down Holly on one of his longest runs of the first half to save the score. It’s not often that defenders catch Holly in his tracks, and in this case, it led to a missed field goal.
Singleton aggressive style and physical nature make him one of the most sought-after players in the state in next year’s cycle as a safety that can also play in the box. Next season, Singleton will take over at free safety for Many. LSU leads Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Arkansas on the RPM for the state’s top junior.
10. WR Daniel Blood – Missouri
After two games watching from the sidelines, three-star Destrehan WR Daniel Blood returned to the starting lineup for his final prep game and left his mark. The recent Missouri commit came up with six catches on nine targets for 118 yards. Blood’s big-play spark in the receiving game put the Wildcats in position to score on the opening series and back-to-back catches in the fourth quarter eventually led to the decisive Jai Eugene Jr. touchdown run.
Blood has been a staple in this offense for years and returned after suffering an injury in the quarterfinals in a massive way. He flashed speed to win on the perimeter as well as his sure hands and radius on grabs over the middle and along the sideline. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder is also one of the premier punt returners in the state, and a high-floor get for the Tigers.
Additional notes
- 2024 LCA WR Trae Grogan provided a major spark in the passing game for the Knights. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder caught five passes on 10 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown. Grogan was tough running routes and making grabs in the middle of the field and winning on contested catches. His physicality helped him churn out some yards after the catch, too. He’s got Saturday ability.
- Lafayette (La.) St. Thomas More WR Christian McNees is no longer a secret in The Boot after his 8-catch, 227-yard performance in the win. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder plays with an edge and is dangerous after the catch. He had 190 yards after the catch along with two scores.
- Oak Grove (La.) LB Kam Franklin flies around as an off-ball linebacker and innately finds the football. He moves very well in coverage and nabbed an interception in his team’s win. He also added 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Franklin is another nice get for Oklahoma State.
- 2023 Destrehan (La.) S Jai Eugene Jr. returned to the Dome for the first time since his freshman season. As a senior, the Tulane commit accounted for 227 total yards and led his team in rushing with almost 6 YPC against a stout Ruston defensive front that checks in north of 1,000 pounds — not to mention the game’s decisive 29-yard scamper around the edge past a host of would-be tacklers. Eugene closed out the game back at DB, where his experience playing QB and understanding of the position should work to his advantage. He was stellar throughout the fall and even better in his final prep outing. This analyst is confident Eugene’s best football is still ahead.
- 2024 Many (La.) IOL Joseph Cryer is a nimble road-grader up front that registered a handful of knockdowns in a very physical showdown with a Louisiana Tech on the other side for much of the afternoon. Cryer is tough in the trenches, and is oft-used out to pull and a leader in the huddle. Tech is leading on the RPM, but the Big Ten covets Cryer.
- 2024 LCA DL Melvin Hills was impactful up front for the Knights against a high-octane, high-tempo St. Thomas More passing game. Hills accounted for five tackles with a half-sack and half-TFL. He also hit the quarterback on LCA’s fourth-quarter interception, which gave them a lead in late in the contest before a thrilling finish.
- 2026 Stonewall (La.) North DeSoto QB Luke Delafield helped a young, talented team to the Dome as a freshman starter behind center. Delafield opened the game with a crowd-stopping dime over two defenders deep in the basket of his receiver, which went for 78 yards. North DeSoto leaned on Delafield, who completed 58 percent of his passes on 39 attempts to the tune of 320 yards, two touchdowns, and four picks. Certainly, freshman quarterbacks are not a common theme for teams, but Delafield put himself on the map with his outing on Louisiana high school football’s biggest stage. His coach compared him to former North Louisiana greats like Josh Booty and Brock Berlin, who has been helping to mold Delafield. He’s undoubtedly one of the best young passers in The Boot to know.
- 2024 Consensus top-300 EDGE Kolaj Cobbins has been a force off the EDGE for Destrehan (La.) the past two falls and was a key cog in containing the running game Friday. Cobbins quietly accumulated three stops and a TFL while shutting down outside running lanes and quickly crashing in to slow down power.
- Another senior flying under the radar out of St. Thomas More is safety Nicholas Beckwith, who totaled 10 tackles defending Johnson and the multi-faceted LCA rushing attack. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Beckwith also secured the game-sealing interception late in a jump-ball situation.
- 2024 River Ridge (La.) John Curtis all-purpose back Jason Gabriel Jr. quietly piled up 64 yards, including a 29-yard catch-and-run where the junior flashed his electric speed in space. Gabriel clocked a sub 4.4 40 at LSU camp over the summer and should be even more involved as a senior. His speed will kill in this Patriots’ split-veer, which included 13 pass attempts on Saturday.
- 2025 Ruston (La.) QB Josh Brantley didn’t see much action in the Division I non-select title game, but the sophomore is one of the reasons why the Bearcats are poised to make a run back at the Dome for the next few Decembers. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound sophomore is equipped with a live arm and is a fluid long-strider with speed to burn. He clocked a 4.58-second 40 time over the summer. Brantley’s development will be one of the more interesting storylines to monitor throughout the offseason as he takes the reigns of this Ruston offense. Louisiana Tech, Rice, Louisiana, Southern and LSU are among the teams keeping track of Brantley, who seems poised to make noise soon.