By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
Looking for defensive backs In Louisiana you can always find a hidden gem all around the state, along with plenty of very talented DBs that are known to the public. That’s very true year after year in Shreveport-Bossier.
Here’s a breakdown on some local sleepers and big time players in the Class of 2025 who man the defensive back position. This group is being under-recruited by most of the big schools compared to what I saw before the college transfer portal came about.
There are some obvious Division I players. You might question this and say, look at all the passing yardage and scoring here. The quality of offenses has sharpened these talented seniors. I feel confident saying that after watching these kids play, some for the last 3-4 years.
The most gifted defensive back here and one of the best in the state is Woodlawn’s Brandon Henderson (6-0, 170), who plays with great effort and phenomenal ability.
This season, he has four interceptions, two of those for touchdowns, and 12 pass breakups. Henderson plays free safety for the Knights and I believe can play any spot in a college secondary with his speed, in the 4.45 range or slightly better. His first offer came from South Florida.
There are a couple of Division I prospects as cornerbacks who are doing a lot of good things for their teams.
I am very high on Cortaveus Dorsey from Green Oaks. This fall he has three interceptions, has scored once as a WR and once on a 72-yard kickoff return. Dorsey (6-3, 178) was second at the Class 2A state track and field meet this spring in the triple jump, marking 45-3 ½.
Carmaro Mayo from Parkway is a playmaker on both sides of the ball and in the kicking game as a returner, but his college future is in the secondary. Mayo is a four-year starter with several D-1 offers. He was initially committed to Louisiana Tech but now is leaning to Grambling and Stephen F. Austin.
Tyler Welch (6-1, 188) at Huntington leads the Raiders with three interceptions after making four in 2023. He’s also playing receiver and ha 4.5 speed. A big time hitter, he is committed to the dynamic new coach Blaine McCorkle in Natchitoches, where a program is being rebuilt very smartly at Northwestern State.
Safety Denzel Kirkendoll (6-1, 190) for Bossier’s Bearkats is a big time sleeper. This is a tough kid and he brings the hat. He has 4.6 speed and looks the part in person too.
Captain Shreve safety Tre Fuller (6-2, 175) a four-year starter at both receiver and DB. He’s just a great kid. Byrd’s Kaiden Abraham Miller can run and defend with the best of them. He’s still growing at 6-0, 165 and has collected over 10 interceptions combined in the last two seasons.
Players who can play Division I FCS or Division II are hidden gems that will make some college very happy.
Cornerback Kylen Nelson (5-11, 160) impressed Northwood coach Austin Brown so much the Falcons have had him in press coverage this season, something the team doesn’t usually do.
Cornerback/safety Jacolvey Cooper (5-10, 180) is versatile. Huntington coach Steve Dennis told me Cooper is called “Mister Fix It” for the Raiders.
At North Caddo, cornerback Mason Jackson has been a four-year starting QB with 4.43 speed in the forty, but coach Chase Thompson sees him on the other side of the ball at the next level. Jackson has received a D3 offer from Centenary as a cornerback.
Woodlawn safety Jotavien Scroggins is a four-year starter. Coach Thedrick Harris told me he is “Mr. Woodlawn” with a 3.8 GPA, and this fall Scroggins has two interceptions with 12 pass breakups. He has next-level upside.
Any recruiter shopping for help in the secondary would be smart to look at these guys.
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 Twitter @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen. Previews of all state high schools are available on lafootballmagazine.com.