Catching up with Louisiana’s top 2023 LB
Ten linebackers ranked in the top 100 in Prep Redzone’s previous update prior to the summer. And two of the best — including one of the nation’s top overall prospects — have announced recent commitments since then. Here’s the latest information…
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Continue ReadingTen linebackers ranked in the top 100 in Prep Redzone’s previous update prior to the summer.
And two of the best — including one of the nation’s top overall prospects — have announced recent commitments since then.
Here’s the latest information on the group, their offers and summer travels as they head into the final season of their high school career.
Tackett Curtis Tackett Curtis 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Many | 2023 State LA — 6-2, 210 LB — Many
One of Louisiana’s top prospects announced a commitment last week to USC over Ohio State or Wisconsin. The hard-hitting Many star holds offers from most programs around the country, including home-state LSU, and took additional trips this spring to Stanford, Oklahoma, Miami and Arkansas.
Delvin Whitaker Delvin Whitaker 6'3" | 250 lbs | LB West Feliciana | 2023 State LA — 6-3, 250 LB — West Feliciana
ULM, Northwestern State, Nicholls State, Southern and Prairie View A&M joined an offer list this spring headlined by Purdue, Florida State and Penn State. And LSU and Texas A&M have earned visits from the big, physical athlete, who has been quiet throughout his recruitment and not tipped much of a hand of leaders or timeline. The Seminoles and Boilermakers feel like two programs to watch should Whitaker decide to venture a bit farther from home, but an in-state school could ultimately land a steal.
Jirrea Johnson Jirrea Johnson 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Warren Easton | 2023 State LA — 5-11, 210 LB — Warren Easton
Nebraska, ULM, UTSA, Southern, Arkansas State, Liberty, Marshall, Incarnate Word, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Buffalo and Western Illinois all offered Johnson during a spring that also included visits to Tulane, LSU, Florida State and Mississippi State. This summer has appeared fairly quiet, but that may change sooner than later as one of most talented and veteran members of (once again) one of the state’s top units heads into senior year.
Daylon Sibley Daylon Sibley 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Lake Charles College Prep | 2023 State LA — 6-0, 180 LB — Lake Charles College Prep
One of the Blazers’ top rising seniors made a Cinco De Mayo commitment announcement to nearby Louisiana (Lafayette) at the end of the school year. Southern Miss extended a scholarship offer two weeks later. But Sibley appears to be a nice recruiting win for first-year head coach Michael Desormeaux and the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Jaylen Lawrence Jaylen Lawrence 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Acadiana | 2023 LA — 6-1, 205 LB — Acadiana
Incarnate Word, Northwestern State, Nicholls State, Arkansas State, Southeast Missouri State, McNeese State, Southeastern Louisiana and Alcorn State all offered Lawrence during his spring semester. And he tried to get to the bulk of those campuses this summer, as well as home state programs LSU, Louisiana (Lafayette) and Louisiana Tech and nearby Alabama and Southern Miss. The hometown Ragin’ Cajuns extended an offer following his June camp performance and, along with Arkansas State and Incarnate Word, have positioned themselves well in his recruitment as he heads into senior year still determining plans for official visits.
Deshaun Batiste Deshaun Batiste 6'3" | 250 lbs | LB John F. Kennedy | 2023 State LA — 6-3, 220 LB — John F. Kennedy
The hyper-productive New Orleans pass-rusher followed an exciting spring of racking up scholarship offers with an active summer on the camp and visit circuit. Batiste camped at LSU, Tulane, Southern Miss and Southeastern Louisiana and took additional trips to Louisiana (Lafayette), Mississippi State, Houston, Jackson State and South Alabama.
Justin Horne Justin Horne 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB John Curtis | 2023 State LA — 6-1, 210 LB — John Curtis
The multisport star was inactive on the football camp circuit as he rested his some muscle strains between track meets and in the wake of that season. He was able to visit Troy, Louisiana (Lafayette) and Tulane for football and has an upcoming trip to Kentucky for track. He also holds offers from Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, UTSA and Southeastern Louisiana and should be one of the state’s more interesting prospects to watch with his Division-I potential in both sports.
Dickson Agu Dickson Agu 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Dutchtown | 2023 State LA — 6-1, 210 LB — Dutchtown
The younger brother of Louisiana (Lafayette) cornerback camped at the SEC quartet of LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State in June, then visited Tulane to wrap up the month. And a trip to Missouri later this week is scheduled to wind down his summer travels. Purdue, which holds a commitment from teammate Ethan Fields Ethan Fields 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Dutchtown | 2023 State LA , was first to extend an offer this past December and drew an April visit, even following the departure of recruiter Marty Biagi for Ole Miss.
Kevon Freeman Kevon Freeman 6'0" | 230 lbs | LB Lake Charles College Prep | 2023 State LA — 6-0, 230 LB — Lake Charles College Prep
Nebraska was the first program to offer Freeman this winter, reigniting a recruiting process that had been somewhat quiet since an early Grambling State offer in 2020. And the Cornhuskers have been as heavily involved as anyone ever since, including visits in April and June. Auburn, Tulane, Southeastern Louisiana, Marshall and Western Illinois also offered earlier this year.
Hayden Rushing Hayden Rushing 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Denham Springs | 2023 State LA — 6-3, 220 LB — Denham Springs
Northwestern State and Grambling State extended scholarship offers to Rushing in May, and Northwestern State, South Alabama and Memphis garnered June camps visits.