4 thoughts from in-person evaluations of high school recruits over the weekend

NEW IBERIA, La. — Football season is back in full swing — and action on the recruiting trail remains red hot as we dip deeper into the fall.

After another weekend of visits and live evaluations, here is the latest on several blue-chippers in the 2024 and 2025 classes from On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman:

Jaboree Antoine shines on both sides of the ball

The next in line out of a touted New Iberia (La.) Westgate program and Cajun Country is Jaboree Antoine, already the No. 3 cornerback in the country and a top-25 junior prospect on On3.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound playmaker on both sides of the ball takes snaps at quarterback, cornerback and also safety on critical down-and-distances and critical game scenarios. Offensively, under center, Antoine is slippery with spectacular balance and ability to seamlessly change direction, can accelerate in a flash and has breakaway speed in the open field.

Antoine also saw significant snaps at both cornerback and also at safety, and made plays from both positions in the secondary. In action against a high-volume passing attack, the long-rangy versatile DB was sticky in coverage, instinctive on the backfield and made multiple pass breakups on third- and fourth-down conversion attempts as well as a late leaping interception back deep in the fourth quarter to seal a Westgate victory.

Antoine projects to DB on Saturdays and shined in the secondary. His playmaking ability is infectious.

“When I play makes on defense, it comes back to offense,” he told On3. “That’s what really gets me going.”

Westgate High has produced Sunday-caliber talent like Kayshon Boutte, as well as Danny Lewis (Alabama) and Derek Williams (Texas). In his second year as a starter, Antoine is flashing in the same light as those aforementioned superstars and more impressive — is making game-changing plays on both sides of the ball. It would not surprise this analyst to see Antoine emerge as the highest-rated prospect from this star-laden program.

Texas A&M commit Reliford causes havoc off the edge

Texas A&M-committed DL Gabriel Reliford was undoubtedly one of the top two players on the field on Friday night. The 6-foot-3, 250-plus pounder plays primarily off the EDGE for Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian and was wreaking havoc from that position.

Reliford came away with four sacks and even more tackles behind the line of scrimmage against the star-studded Westgate offense. Reliford uses his hands extremely well and his dynamic setting the edge and also providing pressure off it. With his broad frame and outstanding hands and athleticism, it’s easy to see a route where Reliford is a mismatch as an interior DL. However, his skill set and production as a devastating 4-tech, his extremely quick first step and stamina to pursue the ball is very conducive to the position.

The On300 Aggies verbal commit is immensely powerful and quick and very disruptive. Five-star DL Dominick McKinley is the No. 1-rated DL in Louisiana for the 2024 cycle and like Reliford, is committed to Texas A&M. McKinnley, who has an even bigger frame and outstanding testing numbers, is one of the most potential-laden DL in the country. Reliford, however, has a very strong shot at being the most productive, college-ready DL from the Boot in this class.

LSU-bound Johnson plays tough inside

LSU-committed DL De’Myrion Johnson has added more weight to his frame and is playing north of 300 pounds for Westgate as a senior. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder has lined up primarily as an end, but is seeing more action inside this season as he prepares to transition full-time into a defensive tackle in Baton Rouge.

The shift inside has taken away some of the sexy statistics for Johnson, who continues to shine as one of the toughest, nastiest DL in state in the trenches. Johnson is famous for handling the dirty work inside and has often been on the receiving end of double teams, including from Evangel Christian on Friday.

Nonetheless, Johnson finds ways to be productive and open up other opportunities for the front seven by drawing double teams and creating interior penetration. He was especially good causing pressure up front and clogging up running games in the middle early on to force Evangel to lean on its aerial attack.

Tough-running Tavias Gordon drawing eyes, college interests

2025 RB Tavias Gordon is another underclassman at Westgate. As a sophomore, Gordon received a significant share of carries as a part of a multi-back approach in the backfield, and this year is featured in the backfield alongside Antoine.

In three games, Gordon has already piled up double-digit TD and at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, is a well-equipped back that can run inside and out, through contact, and has enough juice and quickness to beat herds of tacklers around the edge. Gordon is a tough runner, especially for his frame, and is leaned for short-yardage and money downs. He’s embraced more touches and has been extremely productive. Georgia Tech, Tulane and others are beginning to turn their attention to the junior back at Westgate.