Top Louisiana recruits in the 2026 class

Despite its small stature, Louisiana continues to push out elite football prospects. The Boot has plenty of talent in the 2026 cycle, to no surprise.

As of Aug. 21, there are 14 blue-chip prospects in Louisiana, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Of those 14 prospects, all but one are already committed.

LSU has long had success recruiting in-state and that’s no different this cycle. The Tigers currently own pledges from six of the top seven players in the state. Texas and Ohio State are others that have also struck big with top prospects in The Boot thus far.

Below are the top prospects in Louisiana this cycle, as well as where they are committed right now:

1. ATH Lamar Brown — LSU commit

School: University Lab
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 2 NATL. (No. 1 ATH)

Scouting Summary: “The rare prospect with five-star ability on either line of scrimmage. A true jumbo athlete. Measured in at around 6-foot-4, 285 pounds before his senior season. Has a plus length with arms around 34 inches. A mega athlete in the camp setting, posting some of the best testing numbers on the national camp circuit for a lineman. Lines up at right tackle and defensive end for his high school. Elite athleticism and movement skills show up on both sides of the ball. Fires off the snap from his right tackle position. Flashes outstanding twitch in pass protection and working to the second level. Can take defensive linemen for a ride once engaged. Shows disruptive ability as a big defensive end. Has the power to hold his ground and sift through the trash to make plays in the backfield. Can close quickly on the quarterback … Would be the top interior offensive line prospect in the 2026 cycle if he wanted. Should be considered a high-upside, developmental defensive line prospect who will need to make strides in his overall technique as he gains more experience on that side of the ball.”

2. S Blaine Bradford — Ohio State commit

School: Baton Rouge Catholic
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 47 NATL. (No. 5 S)

Bradford on his decision: “I just felt it,” Bradford told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “You get that gut feeling. I prayed about it. It’s something you never felt before. When you get that feeling you got to take it … I think I’m shut down.”

3. DL Richard Anderson — LSU commit

School: Edna Karr
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 49 NATL. (No. 2 DL)

Scout’s Take: “Richard Anderson is a truly dominant nose tackle, who took over games while leading his New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr team to a state title as a junior. The 6-foot-3.5, 340-pounder is a force on the interior with an innate ability to find ball-carriers while engaged with offensive linemen.”

4. WR Jabari Mack — LSU commit

School: Destrehan
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 72 NATL. (No. 8 WR)

About: A star since his freshman year at Destrehan, the LSU-bound Mack has been one of the state’s top playmakers and an elite national recruit. In March, he committed to the Tigers over more than 20 offers including Oregon, Ohio State and Texas.

5. OT Brysten Martinez — LSU commit

School: East Ascension
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 118 NATL. (No. 9 OT)

About: One of the many top in-state prospects to commit to LSU this cycle, Martinez picked the Tigers on Feb. 13, giving head coach Brian Kelly and Co. a big win early in the process. He’s hovered around top-100 status for the entire cycle and helps form one of the nation’s top OL hauls in the nation. Martinez is also gearing up to play tight end as a senior for East Ascension this fall. Checks in at 6-foot-5.5 and 290 pounds.

6. S Aiden Hall — LSU commit

School: Edna Karr
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 168 NATL. (No. 16 S)

Hall on his commitment: “I am not taking visits to any other schools,” Hall told Rivals. “There is nothing better than being at home. There is no reason to go anywhere else. Nobody can offer me what LSU is offering me. I can’t get better coaching anywhere else or be somewhere else that can make me a better person, a better man and prepare me for what is ahead in life.”

7. WR Kenny Darby — LSU commit

School: Airline
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 195 NATL. (No. 31 WR)

Scout’s Take: “Kenny Darby is arguably the smoothest operator at the receiver position in this 2026 recruiting cycle. his ability to get in and out of his breaks with effortless movements makes it look like he’s gliding out on the field. Even with his limited top-end speed, he has enough juice in the tank to run on defenders toes and force them to bail on their pedal in order to snap off routes and separate with ease. He’ll need to continue improving his explosiveness and long-speed, but that should come as he adds mass in his lower half. But as a pure technician and pass catcher? He’s as good as any wideout in the country when it comes to getting open and attacking the football. His 1,700-plus yards on 100 catches for 24 touchdowns as a junior proves just that and we’re excited to see what he will become as he continues to physically develop.”

8. DL Dylan Berymon — Texas commit

School: Ouachita Parish
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 208 NATL. (No. 22 DL)

Berymon on Texas: “Coach Kenny Baker is amazing,” Berymon told Rivals in an interview earlier this year. “Since Baker got there, he has been mind-blowing in the way he recruits me. We have a great relationship, he has coached in the NFL and the Texas program is in great shape. Austin is a nice place, I have family in Houston…”

9. LB JaMichael Garrett

School: Baton Rouge Central
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 253 NATL. (No. 15 LB)

The Skinny: After decommitting from Auburn in June, Garrett has transferred high schools for his senior campaign and has continued to work through his process. He hinted on X earlier this week that a new commitment date is coming soon. Ole Miss, Miami and Texas A&M are among the programs in the mix for the 6-foot-0.5, 195-pounder.

10. CB Hayward Howard Jr. — Texas commit

School: Edna Karr
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 339 NATL. (No. 32 CB)

Howard on his decision: “When I got offered, I was offered by coach Terry Joseph. He left and went to the Saints, but the next day they came back with (Mark Orphey) and he chopped it up with me,” Howard told InsideTexas. “He kept his relationship consistent with me. I couldn’t even go a day without talking to Texas. They always said I was a great player. They liked me for my skill set and they wanted me to be a great asset to their program. I said I wouldn’t waste any time and I just was ready.”

Other blue-chip commits in Louisiana this cycle

11. WR Jakai Anderson — SMU commit
12. CB Dezyrian Ellis — LSU commit
13. WR Trez Davis — Tulane commit
14. WR Roderick Tezeno — USC commit