The Greater New Orleans Metro area is always stocked with blue-chip talent, the kind that has college football recruiters buzzing around 24/7, 365 days a year. They all know that if you want to “get rich” and “be successful” in college football, college programs need to have a footprint in southeast Louisiana.

Well, the 2026 recruiting class is no different. In fact, this year’s group is brimming with talent. The options are plentiful at wide receiver, as well as in the secondary—two areas that are the norm. This year, there are also quarterbacks in the mix, along with offensive and defensive linemen who could have an impact at the next level.

So here we go – 45 of the best the area has to offer thus far, as we move toward the 2026 signing class.

Quarterbacks

• John Johnson (Edna Karr), 5-11, 170, a dual-threat, led the Cougars to an unblemished 2024 campaign and a state title. He was named the Metro Player of the Year after throwing for 3,398 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, while accounting for 901 yards and 12 scores as a runner. He reminds me of former O.P. Walker’s Herb Tyler, who led LSU to a 27-11 record during his time in Tigertown. Johnson will be a 3-year starter this season. He is very accurate, knows the offense inside and out, locates second and third receivers, and has excellent leadership skills. He can make all the throws. Currently committed to Liberty and has an offer from Nebraska as an “athlete.”
• Jacob Crain (Franklinton), 6-1, 180, threw for 2,252 yards last season with 24 TDs and 4 interceptions, completing 67.4%. He models his game after Joe Burrow and is ahead of where Zach Mettenberger (LSU) was at the same stage when he was coached by Franklinton coach Nick Saltaformaggio. In a semifinal game against Iowa, he threw for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is drawing interest from state schools and the Sun Belt.
• Jackson Fields (Destrehan), 6-2, 200, honor student, was the #1 passer in the Metro in 2023 and district MVP that season. He was injured for part of 2024 but has great placement on his throws and can make tight-window passes. Tulane, Ivy League schools, and the Sun Belt are watching him closely.

Running Backs

• Ke’Rynn Smith (Holy Cross), 5-9, 182, runs bigger than his size with great vision and excellent hands. Offers include Arkansas, TCU, Houston, Indiana, Oklahoma State, Missouri, and South Dakota. LSU is watching closely.
• Jake Randle (Newman), 5-10, 175, with a 3.5 GPA, runs with power. He had 205 yards rushing and 5 TDs vs. Country Day. Ivy League schools are very interested.
• Kani King Young (St. James), 5-9, 190, runs a 4.5 forty and a 10.8 hundred meters. He had 1,118 yards and 15 TDs last season. A one-cut runner with great yards after contact. Sun Belt and Southland schools are watching.
• Keith Hill (St. Augustine), 5-10, 170, with a 4.45 forty, 425 lbs. squat, and 400 lbs. deadlift. A good receiver who lowers his pads and challenges defenders with jump cuts. SWAC and Southland schools are showing interest.

Wide Receivers

• Jakari Mack (Destrehan), 6-0, 192, a 4-star recruit and the #1 wideout in the Pelican state. His top three schools are Texas, Oregon, and Texas A&M.
• Jakai Anderson (McDonogh 35), LSU commit, 2024 All-State, with 57 catches for 972 yards and 14 scores. Could play on defense, also an extraordinary kick returner with 7 TDs on returns in 2024.
• Greg Wilfred (Destrehan), 5-11, 185, great hands and makes clutch catches. Offers from Louisiana Tech, Memphis, UCF, UTSA, and Troy.
• Lajahren Cyprian (Amite), 6-6, 180, with basketball skills, good hands, and routes. He has an LSU visit and interest from Alabama and Tulane.
• Jakias Villanueva (St. James), 5-9, 170, had 75 catches for 954 yards and 13 TDs last season. A great run-after-catch player. Sun Belt and AAC schools are watching.
• George Loop (Newman), 5-11, 170, with a 4.16 GPA. He runs precise routes and makes clutch grabs. A money receiver and centerfielder in baseball. Offers include Dartmouth and Harvard.
• Juwuan Brock (Covington), 5-11, 165, offers from East Tennessee State, South Alabama, Tulane, and UCF.
• Chance Bovie (West St. John), 6-0, 170, had 25 catches for 436 yards and 6 scores last season. A playmaker who could play safety. Southland and SWAC schools are interested.
• Heij Jackson (McDonogh 35), 6-3, 185, offers from Arkansas and Ole Miss.
• Jermaine Brown (Kentwood), 5-10, 190, an All-State player who could be among the fastest in the state with a 10.75 hundred meters and a 4.4 forty. Southland and SWAC schools are watching.
• Brennan Villa (St. Paul’s), 6-2, 191, with good hands and a red zone option. A baseball outfielder. Tulane and Southeastern are monitoring him.

Offensive Line

• Leon Noil (Edna Karr), 6-4, 280, athletic with good feet. Karr has a history of producing NFL linemen, including Cornelius Lucas, Bernard Robertson, and Kevin Hughes. Considering offers from Ole Miss, Alabama State, Mississippi State, Houston, Missouri, Baylor, and Liberty.
• Jalen Chapman (Warren Easton), 6-3, 280, the best center in the state. Committed to LSU. The Eagles have turned out outstanding centers, including Sedrick Van Pran Granger, now with the Bills.
• Earl Collins (Destrehan), 6-4, 305, with great feet and a strong pass protector. His brother, Jordan, is the #1 tackle in the 2028 class.
• Corey Dudley (John Ehret), 6-5, 315, with a wingspan that locks onto opponents and drives them. Has a 505 lbs. squat and a 3.0 GPA. Offers from ULL, Troy, and North Texas.
• Cedric McDonald (De La Salle), 6-0, 265, with a UCF offer. A guard who can pull and lead plays, and could also play center. Named All-Metro in 2024.
• Dorian Smith (Landry), 6-1, 225, a center getting looks from SWAC schools.
• Ayden Bullock (Riverside), 6-2, 270, an All-State player in 2024. A baseball first baseman and left-handed pitcher with power-hitting ability.

Defensive End

• Dominick Ruth (John F. Kennedy), 5-10, 225, a 3A All-State player with 16 sacks in 2024. He plays snap to whistle with a great first step. SWAC schools are showing interest.
• Will Berry (Jesuit), 6-4, 252, with a 455 lbs. squat and a 285 lbs. clean. A football, baseball, and wrestling player. Offers include Harvard and Cornell.

Defensive Tackle

• Ty Dominque (St. Aug), 6-3, 290, with offers from UCF and South Alabama.
• Cole Todd (Holy Cross), 6-2, 265, could play offensive guard. Gets under pads with good balance and feet. Southland Conference schools are interested.
• Frederic Downing (Hahnville), 6-3, 275, will get stronger. A 2-gap player who uses his hands well at the point of attack. Sun Belt, Southland, and SWAC schools are watching.
• Braylon Montero (John Curtis), 6-2, 285, beats double-team blocks. Offers from Louisiana College, Arkansas Monticello, and Louisiana Christian.
• Richard Anderson (Edna Karr), 6-3, 340, an LSU commit who reminds me of Tyler Shelvin (LSU). Ranked the 12th-best defensive tackle in the nation. Dominating at the line of scrimmage and able to blow up double and triple-team blocks.

Linebackers

• Dylan Post (St. Paul’s), 6-1, 225, with a 3.8 GPA. A headhunter who closes quickly. District MVP and St. Tammany Defensive MVP with 99 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 passes defended. ULL, Tulane, Southeastern, and Nicholls are monitoring him closely.
• Nolan Zenon (St. James), 6-0, 185, with 95 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. A 4.0 GPA and 23 tackles vs. Sterlington. A vicious hitter with no false steps. Southland Conference schools are interested.
• Jeffrey Curtis (John Curtis), 5-9, 190, recorded 107 stops, 7 tackles for loss, and 3 hurries in 2024. A big hitter. State schools and Southland Conference schools are interested.
• Gracen Powell (Kennedy), 6-1, 220, has played inside or outside. Strong at the point of attack with an offer from Southern.
• Keylon Jones (Kennedy), 6-0, 215, an inside linebacker and outstanding tackler. Sun Belt schools, Southland, and state schools are showing interest.

Cornerback

• Jordan Willis (Northlake Christian), 6-1, 185, an All-State player in 2024. His father, James, is the head coach and a former Auburn linebacker. State schools are watching.
• Syre Gilmore (St. Aug), 5-10, 185, with a 4.5 forty. A quick corner who comes off coverage well. Sun Belt and AAC schools are interested.
• Devon Duplessis (Kennedy), 5-9, 160, an outstanding cover corner with offers from Marshall and Troy.
• Maurice Williams (Edna Karr), 5-11, 170, with good length, backpedal, and transitions. A shutdown corner with offers from Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Washington, UTSA, ULL, and South Alabama.
• Hayward Howard (Edna Karr), 6-2, 170, with a father who played at Ole Miss. Offers from Colorado, Ole Miss, Houston, Georgia Tech, and Alcorn.

Safety

• Aiden Hall (Edna Karr), 6-1, 175, LSU commit.
• Beau Matulewski (Jesuit), 6-1, 195, a strong safety who plays with intensity. Southland and state schools are watching.

Place Kicker

• Noel Mora (Holy Cross), an All-State player in 2024 and a two-time All-District honoree. He can punt and has a soccer background with a strong leg.