Five 2026 high school football recruits to watch in Baton Rouge and Acadiana

There is no absence of top high school football talent in Baton Rouge, the Acadiana area and they are among the Class of 2026 where some of them have shown their potential. 
 
These fine candidates from both areas have demonstrated enough of their killing potential for LSU Power Five and other D1 top programs to offer them, yet they have the room for growth and they are barely sophomores. 
 
I listed five recruits from Baton Rouge and Acadiana who all have made an impact so huge that it frightens me that people all over the country give them as much attention as they give them. 
 

TOP 2026 RECRUITS IN BATON ROGUE AND ACADIANA

Lamar Brown, University High
Position: Offensive Lineman
Height/weight: 6-4/260
Ranking: No. 1 in Louisiana Class of 2026 (4 star)
Offers: LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Florida St, USC, and others

Brown's talent is realized by the top ranking status in Louisiana, alongside his Class of 2026, which has as many, high-caliber offers as any recruiters of the nation. Brown has been a force along a powerful U-High offensive line, and s a all-around athlete who placed first in Class 3A shot put at the track and field state event recently. 

Blaine Bradford, Catholic-BR

Position: Defensive Back
Height/weight: 6-1/195
Ranking: No. 3 in Louisiana Class of 2026 (4 star)
Offers: LSU, Georgia, Texas, Florida St, Notre Dame, USC and others

Bradford has already gathered 10 plus Power Five offers, which is great, but he started to play for Catholic since he was still a freshman and he has been producing. Bradford has proved his skills on the highest level as the top-ranked defensive back in the state for 2026, and his older brother Jacob is also looking as a very well-credible candidate from 2025.

Brysten Martinez, East Ascension

Position: Offensive Lineman
Height/weight: 6-5/280
Ranking: No. 6 in Louisiana Class of 2026 (4 star)
Offers: Georgia, Florida St, Texas, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others

Martinez was captured in the First Team All-Metro team as an efficient offensive tackle Ethan Ascension the season before. Martinek being a multisport athlete, is currently in the highlight of receiving recruiting attention, and the most recent Power Five school Texas extended an offer to him during his junior year.

Darryus McKinley, Acadiana

Position: Defensive Lineman
Height/weight: 6-2/245
Ranking: No. 10 in Louisiana Class of 2026 (4 star)
Offers: LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Miami (FL) and others

The lineage of dominating defensive linemen at Acadiana High continues to flourish, as McKay is next in the line with his brother Dominick just recently signing with LSU. The freshman McKinley has already gained a LSU offer and needs to keep progressing further along the line.  He should definitely be deal with the most of struggles he has faced as a sophomore.

Chantz Babineaux, Carencro

Position: Athlete
Height/weight: 5-11/185
Ranking: No. 15 in Louisiana Class of 2026 (3 star)
Offers: Michigan, Tulane, UL, ULM

Sophomore year Babineaux made change in position-from wide receiver he shifted to quarterback and his  First Team All-Metro selection was remarkable.  Also, as we now know he helped Carencro’s baseball  team to be the winners. Babineaux’s set to sign with a Division I school of his choice, where his spot remains unfilled.  Some of the schools that have given him offers are considering getting him on board after all. 
 
Height, weight, and offers, through ranking and star value, on a performance level assessment thanks to 247 Sports.