Catholic (BR) has groves of young talent behind five-star WR Shelton Sampson Jr.

BATON ROUGE, La. — The defending Louisiana Division I champions will have a different look this coming season.

Sure, the team returns talent at key spots, including quarterback with 2024 passer Daniel Beale and his top target five-star WR Shelton Sampson Jr.  However, there will be a new back featured behind the potent offensive line and several new pieces on the defense. Here’s more from On3 National Recruiting Analyst on some potential college talent at Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic.

Sampson nearing ‘full-go’

Five-star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. is working out at 90 percent as summer workouts come to a close, but despite nagging injuries to his wrist and hamstring the elite pass-catcher has yet to miss a practice and has been leading by example in the weight room. Sampson ran routes on air and didn’t skip a beat. He’s added some muscle to his frame and expects to be fully ready to go for the season opener.

“I feel like I’m mentally tough and every year something is going wrong. I’m used to it — to rehabbing and trying to get back, so it’s all a part of the process,” said Sampson. “I feel 90 percent, but it’s looking good. I’ll be there by Week 1 for sure.”

Sampson also expects to have his decision made before Week 1.

Beale ready to take the next step

2024 quarterback Daniel Beale is stepping into Year 3 at the helm of the Catholic offense, which is expected to lean heavier on its passing attack this fall. Beale has guided the Bears to consecutive championships as an underclassman and has consistently executed whatever’s been thrown at him so far. Beale showcased more of his repetoire at the Baton Rouge Elite 11 regional and again at LSU camp this summer. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he can stand tall in the pocket and quickly process and disseminate accordingly. Beale has a strong arm and delivers with velocity, but has also impressed with his touch recently. Florida State, Mississippi State, Tulane and LSU are among schools monitoring him.

Beale has Louisiana’s top pass-catcher, who last season averaged north of 20 yards per reception, to lean on. But the receiving corps is uniquely deep this year. Underrated 2023 WR Daniel Harden has been a crucial go-to option in the passing game for two seasons. At 6-foot-1.5 and 185 pounds, he’s well put-together and polished with very reliable hands and a smoothness to his game. 2025 WR Amari Clayton shined at LSU’s elite camp last month. At 6-foot-1, 182 pounds, Clayton has good size and ball skills with speed to burn.

Back to the blueprint

There may be a heavier emphasis on the Catholic aerial attack this season, but let’s not look past the blueprint. Greats like Clyde Edwards-Helaire were staples of the offense there and more recently Corey Singleton (Army) and George Hart (Arizona State) have shouldered the workload. Next up is 2024 RB Barry Remo, who at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds should give the Bears an explosive scatback to rely on. Remo clocked a 4.7 40 time as a freshman and drew early parallels to Edwards-Helaire, but he’s actually a bit taller than the Chiefs back.

Remo will have one of the state’s most physically imposing offensive lines leading the way. Left tackle Emery Jones is now at LSU vying for playing time, opening the door for new headliners. 2023 TE Brady Moffitt (6-foot-3, 250) will man one of the tackle spots and has a similar build as his brother Aaron Moffitt, who spent time as a tight end and defensive end for LSU. He’ll play opposite Camrn Banks (6-foot-2, 330 pounds), who has shined in the weight room this summer. Jacob Johnson, who was drawing college interest at NG, is taking snaps at OC and garnering even more praise in the middle up front.

New pieces on defense

A pair of 2023 defensive linemen garnering buzz include NG Joshua Johnson (6-foot-1, 310 pounds), who clocked a 4.52 shuttle this summer. Judd Rouyea (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) saw limited action along the defensive front last year, but is in store for more snaps at EDGE with point his hand in the dirt and standing up. Rouyea looks the part and flies off the line and seems poised for a big senior season.

The secondary has always been a strong point on recent Catholic championship squads. This team is no different with a new wave of young impressive-looking defensive backs ready to step in. 2024 DB DJ Duncan (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) the upperclassman in the secondary room. He has outstanding size for a soon-to-be junior. 2025 DBs Jacob Bradford (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) and Cayden Jones (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) are other highly regarded youngsters in the defensive backfield. Bradford will compete for time at corner and safety, and is another young DB north of 6-foot. Jones, also a basketball standout, is even longer and drew rave reviews this offseason. Perhaps the most intriguing of the group was the incoming freshman 2026 CB Blaine Bradford, Jacob’s little brother. Bradford (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) has turned heads around the facility and is one of the several young, talented defensive backs with high upside to track this fall.