Underclassmen emerging in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. — The F3 Elite Battle on the Bayou featured some of the best underclassmen skill players in and around Louisiana.
The field was filled with future Division I athletes as well as some young talent related to notable athletes from and around the Boot. That includes Pro Bowl safety Tyrann Mathieu, former Steelers great Ryan Clark and former Alabama and Eagles second-year receiver DeVonta Smith.
Here’s more on the underclassmen:
Johnnie Thiel IV
If the name rings a bell, then you’re onto something. Johnnie Thiel IV, the son of former the River Ridge (La.) John Curtis and Reserve (La.) East St. John standout, is coming off his freshman season at Destrehan (La.) and turning in a sensational spring on the 7-on-7 circuit. The younger Thiel plays receiver and defensive back already boasts great size (6-foot, 180 pounds) and ball skills.
Thiel could continue to develop as a receiver — and shined with inspiring closing speed, and instincts and burst out of his breaks in coverage. There will be plenty of eyes on him this spring.
Delwin Perkins Jr.
Before DeVonta Smith was a Heisman Trophy winner in Tuscaloosa, many coaches felt he could be a first-round pick on offense or playing cornerback. Smith’s cousin, Delwin Perkins Jr., is set to enroll at Amite (La.) High and there’s plenty of buzz about it.
Perkins not only has the genes, but the skill-set to match. Perkins has a great nose for the football and long arms to attack it. Much like his cousin, this 2027 cornerback plays with a quiet confidence.
Phillip Wright III
Destrehan has another up-and-comer in its 2025 class in Phillip Wright, who has been grabbing hold of the state’s attention with his prolific track times. The freshman captured first-place marks in the 100-meter (10.77 seconds), 200-meter (22.14 seconds), 400-meter (49.67 seconds) and long jump (20-feet, 3.5 inches) this spring, and recently set new highs
Wright is already garnering consideration for the Olympics. The speedster nearly picked up an offer from Miami this spring before taking his first varsity snap.
Ty Mathieu
The next wave of Honey Badgers are on the way. First up is Tyrann’s nephew, Tyrone Mathieu, who will be a freshman at Destrehan next year. Mathieu is expected to play quarterback on Friday nights, but saw action — of course — in the secondary in the 7-on-7 setting.
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For a soon-to-be freshman, Mathieu was long and instinctive in coverage, flying around the football and patrolling a lot of real estate on the back end. He’s certainly an underclassman to monitor.
Ryan Montague
Another name that’ll ring a bell is Ryan Montague, a 2027 Swiss Army Knife in the defensive backfield capable of making plays back deep at safety or at cornerback. The New Orleans native is the nephew of former Steelers safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark. Montague has a fantastic feel for the game as a defensive quarterback at an early age and plays with a ton of confidence.
Hudson Fields
Hudson Fields is another very young prospect that shined at quarterback. The 2027 passer will play at New Orleans (La.) Brother Martin and brings some ammunition to the passing game.
Fields, the younger brother of Louisiana quarterback Chandler Fields, has a some juice for a young quarterback and isn’t shy about taking chances downfield. Like his brother, Hudson should make some noise in New Orleans’ Catholic League.
Chance Victor
Destrehan’s 2025 class has another two-way athlete in Chance Victor, a surefire playmaker on Saturdays down the road. Victor will be a well-built sophomore this fall (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) with length, natural hands and a mismatch in the 7-on-7 setting.
Victor is already proficient at winning on jump-balls and contested grabs, as well as simply beating defenders downfield with his speed and size.