Takeaways from fall football scrimmages

Football season is almost back.

Fall scrimmages got underway around Louisiana this week and On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman attended three around the state, including stops at Westgate, East St. John and Isidore Newman with players like five-stars Arch Manning, Derek Williams and Jonathan Bax headlining the action.

Here are some takeaways from the fall scrimmages:

New-look Newman offense

Five-star+ Texas quarterback commitment Arch Manning has been the model of consistency over his first three varsity seasons with a stellar 81:17 touchdown to interception ratio and north of 2,000 yards per year passing at the Louisiana Class 2A level. Much like he did during his spring game, Manning is firing the ball out effortlessly and accurately, distributing to his pass-catchers in space and identifying mismatches.

This season, Newman is ushering in a new-look offense featuring a new play-caller, new scheme and new personnel. Manning has a daunting schedule on deck on top of it. He may not come out of the gates firing, but he’s going to have a chance to make a national statement this season — and he could be playing his best football when it counts the most. Don’t be surprised if he calls his own number more often either.

Two 2024 WR have breakout potential

New Orleans (La.) Holy Cross junior wideouts Koby Young and Krosse Johnson should be household names in The Boot and nationally by season’s end. Both are not only talented pass-catchers but decorated track and field athletes.

Young, who checks in north of 6-foot and 180 pounds, is a yards after-the-catch specialist with excellent burst and twitch in the open field. He also boasts fantastic body control and showed well making contested catches on the perimeter. LSU leads the way early on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Johnson, who clocked a 4.38 40 this summer, provides a formidable deep threat to the Holy Cross passing game and consistently had several steps on defensive backs throughout the scrimmage. He has the speed to burn and excellent hands, and like Young, is showing signs of a breakout campaign.

Rarified air for the Raptor

On3 Consensus five-star safety Derek Williams helped New Iberia (La.) Westgate make plays on both sides of the ball en route to a state title last season. Louisiana’s top defensive player came out firing in his fall scrimmage playing as an in-the-box safety with outstanding range and playmaking ability on that side of the ball.

Williams, more affectionately known as The Raptor, has a nose for the ball and a unique feel for the game that puts him in rarified air. He moves fluidly in coverage at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, although he’s rarely targeted in the passing game. There’s no reason to believe that’ll change this season either. He is one of the most instinctive, physical defenders in the country regardless of position and he’s looking to lead by example this season. That spells trouble for opposing coordinators.

More playmakers from WAMP

The defending Class 4A champions are certainly led by Williams, but boast a ton of talent up and down the roster. That includes new playmakers around Williams on defense as well as on the offensive side of the ball.

On300 defensive lineman De’Myrion Johnson came up with a handful of splash plays behind the line of scrimmage and was able to generate pressure from the 3-tech and disrupt several pass attempts, even if it didn’t result in sacks. He can mash inside and commands multiple blockers, and he’s developing as an interior pass-rusher that’s very hard to contain.

Jaydun Colbert impressed at cornerback with a willingness to be physical and wrap up in space. He flies to the football and moves effortlessly. He has speed and should also make a mark on special teams, too.

Offensively, Dedrick Latuluas (Louisiana Tech commitment) is rocking No. 8 for Westgate and should provide a spark in the passing game. Latuluas was adept making contested catches in the middle of the field, high-pointing the football and also getting by over the top. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Power 5 schools enter the mix at some point this season

2023 WR Zaid Landry is every bit of 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, and the big-framed pass-catcher is a three-sport athlete that certainly has a chance to emerge as a go-to option in the passing game this fall. He flashed great ups and hands with a jump-ball score in the end zone. 2025 ATH Davian Jackson flashed out of the backfield. He’s a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder with size, can shrug off tacklers and has excellent hands. There’s a sense he could break out by the season’s end.

Bax due for breakout year

TCU EDGE commitment Jonathan Bax shined in the New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr spring game and was absolutely prolific firing off the ball in the fall scrimmage against Reserve (La.) East St. John. Bax lined up largely with his hand in the dirt and couldn’t be denied defending against outside runs. He can fly down the line and takes direct paths to the ball.

Bax was even more formidable getting after the quarterback. He flies off the line and uses his hands extremely well and bends even better. Bax doesn’t take many plays off and it shows with constant hits on the quarterback or hands on the ball, disrupting plays and applying pressure at a high rate even when they don’t result in sacks. Bax has a high floor. He’s equipped to be a difference-maker on this defense and is a lock to collect double-digit sacks as a senior. He’s someone I’m betting on to take a massive leap this season.

Quick-hitters on Karr

2024 LB Tah’j Butler is another young piece on a star-studded Karr defense, but continues to find ways to stand out. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds entering his junior year, Butler’s physical play style and nose for the ball should draw open some eyes. Defensive backs Ryan Robinson Jr. closed well on the lone pass thrown in his vicinity. He is stellar in coverage underneath.

Offensively, 2025 WR Taron Francis will be a household name come the postseason. He is a bonafide playmaker with speed to get downfield and electric ball skills. 2023 WR Tavis Williams is smooth and at 6-foot, 170 pounds, is difficult to bring down in space with quick feet and solid hands. 2023 WR Makhi Paris is another under-the-radar pass-catcher that ran crisp routes, and showed good balance and speed in the open field.