By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
In Shreveport-Bossier, you will see some players get national attention every year, and as always, I will write about those players in the coming weeks.
There are also the sleeper recruits. These are the guys who make my job really fun. These players have something to prove and they play that way, doing things that catch the eye – the eyes of their coaches, the eyes of observers like me, fans like you, and most importantly for these young men, the eyes of college recruiters looking for the diamonds in the rough.
They’re everywhere, from the prestige programs that are in the playoffs every year, from the Gucci powers that make runs toward the Superdome year in and year out, to programs that are themselves trying to raise their status.
Who will do that by December, when the games are done and the game tape will tell the tale?
There are several sleepers at nearly every local school. Take for example, the Class of 2026 at BTW, the proud Booker T. Washington High School Lions in Shreveport.
You may already know about D.K Mitchell, who is not a sleeper in the true sense. At 5-11,175, this wide receiver was honorable mention All-State Class 4A and first-team All-District 1-4A last season as he collected 774 yards receiving with 9 touchdowns.
Mitchell is getting looks already, and he has a pecking order after checking out several schools at camps or campus visits this year.
“My top three colleges are Number 1, ULM — my visit went great and I like the campus; Number 2 Northwestern State University – they have got straight cold people over there. They have leaders and I love to see that in a football program; and No. 3, Southern Arkansas — they have straight dogs over there on offense and defense.”
In a smaller package (5-7, 160) is Devondre Johnson, an All-District 1-4A cornerback in 2024 who made six interceptions. He will play more wide receiver in 2025 — he averaged over 25 yards per catch last season.
“I honestly don’t have a dream school. Wherever my path leads me I will feel blessed. I just say, give me a shot,” said Johnson.
Coach Gary Cooper really likes quarterback Devion Stewart (6-3, 190) a second-year starter with deceptive 4.89 speed in the 40. He is a pocket passer sleeper who makes plays and is a winner.
Mitchell is one of the underrated playmakers in the area with 4.5 top-end speed in the 40. Johnson has great IQ for the game in coverage out on the island as a corner. Stewart could show up on many recruiting lists for colleges if he makes improvement as would be expected in the upcoming season.
I think all three of these kids will have a chance to sign after the season. And I think BTW is a well-coached, dangerous team to face at any point, and especially in a playoff game.
Some more Lions not to “sleep” on in the Class of 2026 are running back Chris Mosley, receiver/defensive back Tray Moore (5-10,180), and two offensive linemen — Jacoby Fitzpatrick (6-4, 335, and a tough player) and Seven Smith (6-3, 330), who naturally wears jersey No. 77.
Read about more local kids and those from around the state on my website, LaFootballMagazine.com. Just like here at the Shreveport-Bossier Journal, content costs you nothing. I hope you will subscribe to both publications for free – it will help us grow and keep doing all we can to promote high school football locally and around Louisiana.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
(Lee Brecheen is the longtime owner of Louisiana Football Magazine, covering all of the state’s high school teams each year since 1997. Free content can also be found at the website lafootballmagazine.com. District previews with scouting reports on each team are posted now. Lee hosts a podcast with guests from around the state — The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen, available on YouTube)