By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
It’s nothing new: Shreveport-Bossier has some really talented quarterbacks in the Class of 2025, and going forward.
This has been said time and time again by many people, but one of the greatest QBs to ever come out of Louisiana was Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw (Woodlawn), my idol growing up as he led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl wins. Another great local legend is Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Joe Ferguson (also out of Woodlawn), a Heisman Trophy contender at Arkansas and a tremendous player for the Buffalo Bills. They are two of the best to ever play in the AFC and for my money, in the NFL.
I started following recruiting in 1982. I’ve been in the business since 1990 and while compiling and publishing Louisiana Football Magazine since 1996, I’ve seen some really good ones come out up here.
Arnaz Battle (Byrd HS) played at Notre Dame. Of course, Dak Prescott (Haughton HS) was sensational at Mississippi State and is one of the best in the game with the Dallas Cowboys.
Brock Berlin (Evangel Christian) was one of the nation’s top recruits and played for the Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes. Brent Rawls (Evangel Christian) signed with Oklahoma. Josh Booty (Evangel Christian HS) was a top MLB Draft pick who got to the big leagues, then played QB at LSU. John David Booty (Evangel Christian) had a great career with the Southern Cal Trojans.
Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Stan Humpries (Southwood) led San Diego to the Super Bowl after taking Northeast (now ULM) to the Division I-AA national championship in 1987. The late David Woodley (Byrd) was really good at LSU and started in a Super Bowl for Miami.
We could be here all day if I keep going.
Who are the future greats from Shreveport-Bossier? I’m going to assess the Class of 2025 QBs I have seen play — both highly recruited and not recruited enough yet.
First comes Ben Taylor of Airline (6-2, 210) — a rare four-year starter at a Class 5A school with a big-time arm who is poised when rushed. In 2023 Ben threw for 49 touchdowns with 4,180 yards passing. Currently committed to Northwestern State, he is the best the Demons have attracted at that position since coach A.L. Williams had a bunch of talent there from 1975-82, developing a T-formation QB, Bobby Hebert from South Lafourche, into a longtime starter with the Saints and Falcons in the NFL. Taylor reminds me some of Craig Nall from Alexandria, who signed with LSU, started a few times with the Tigers, and had a breakout 2001 season at Northwestern that propelled him into the NFL.
Under-recruited but with a laser touch, Abram Wardell (6-0, 185) at Calvary Baptist – Wardell reminds me of Brock Berlin, who was one of the USA’s top recruits at Evangel Christian. They are similar in size and like Berlin, Wardell has the knack for always throwing the perfect pass at the right time. He’s such a clutch player. Wardell was last year’s Class 2A All-State Outstanding Player with 3,833 yards, 45 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Bumping up near the top of the class is Jaxon Bentzler (6-2, 215) of Northwood – I believe he’s a big time Division I player. A tight end starter in 2023, Bentzler carries a 4.4 (on a 5.0 scale) GPA. He has the arm and size and toughness to play college football at a high level. He could sign on the Division I level in baseball, where he is a two-time All-Stater.
Then there are the sleepers, who have lots of ability and not a lot of attention.
Tovoras Lee (6-1 202) of Green Oaks is a kid I have seen play all four years he has started. As a freshman he was 5-11, 150 and started from Game 1. He has filled out and has the stuff you want in a college player.
Brodie Savage (6-2, 185) at Captain Shreve opened last year as a starter but got hurt and missed most of the Gators’ district championship season. He’s back in 2024 with a cannon arm and a confident demeanor and shows good feet in the pocket. In under three games in 2023, Savage had 708 yards passing. He also could sign a D-1 baseball scholarship.
Quintarion “Quan” Scott (6-2, 190) at Bossier is a big time sleeper with a good arm and is still evolving into a quarterback. He has a good arm and skill set.
Lorenzo “LJ” White is a new starter for Huntington with 4.6 speed and a good arm. He is a dual threat QB evolving with one season to show recruiters what he has to offer.
Those are just the ones I have seen in the Class of 2025. It’s a great time to get out and watch some exceptional QBs playing high school football in Shreveport-Bossier.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on X @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.