7-in-Seven Countdown: Top 2019 high school prospects

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA (KPLC) - We are just one week away from KPLC's coverage of Two-A-Days high school previews and to get ready, we wrap up our 7-in-Seven countdown.

We finish the countdown with the top seven 2019 high school prospects.

If a player is left off the list or an offer isn't reported on the page, please send an e-mail to sports@kplctv.com or contact Brady Renard on Twitter.

An honorable mention list will be released on Sunday.

**The stars are based on recruiting services 247Sports and/or Rivals.**

7. Jake LaFleur (2*), Sulphur LB - Offers: McNeese, Nicholls State, Southeastern, Tulsa, ULM and Louisiana Tech

A Sulphur defender opens our list thanks to five Division I offers and a two-star recruiting ranking from 247Sports. Jake LaFleur returned to the football field a season ago for the first time since middle school.

LaFleur made an immediate impact at linebacker and tight end and since the end of the football season, he's blown up on the recruiting trail. Despite FBS offers from the like of Tulsa, ULM and LA Tech, LaFleur committed to McNeese earlier this month.

Recruit Louisiana describes his play as the following.

"Hard-hitting, wraps up on tackles, reads plays well and fills his gaps as an Inside Backer, when playing Outside Linebacker or Defensive End he sets the edge moves towards his target, his quickness gives him the ability to go sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball carrier, can drop in coverage from the inside linebacker position, plays with a lot of discipline, as TightEnd his soft hands are an added addition to his physicality in the run blocking schemes."

At linebacker in 2017, he totaled 79 tackles and broke up four passes. While at tight end, LaFleur recorded a pair of touchdowns on his only receptions of the season.

LaFleur has football pedigree as the son of former LSU and Dallas Cowboys tight end, David LaFleur. The senior LaFleur was also a high school All-American at Westlake.

6. Hayden Hagler (3*), Sulphur TE - Offers: New Mexico State, Seton Hall

Yes, Sulphur starts off the list with back-to-back entries thanks to another star tight end for the Tors. Hayden Hagler transfers over from Barbers Hill High School in Texas to replace the graduated Christian Trahan.

Like Trahan, Hagler is a three-star prospect according to 247Sports' composite rankings. His role in the offense should pick up right where Trahan left off.

Hagler is 6'3 and 225 pounds and runs a 4.88 40-time according to his Hudl account. He was a first-team all-district performer in the lone star state a year ago and he should carry over that play into 2018. Hagler was also an offensive athlete for the U.S. National Team, playing in the International Bowl this past January against Canada.

While he only holds a single FBS offer, he has camped at Arkansas, Southern Miss, Texas State, Tulane, ULM, UL Lafayette, McNeese and UT-Chatanooga.

5. Da'Ren Zeno (3*), Welsh, WR - Offers: Alcorn, Idaho, McNeese, Southeastern

The Hounds place a member on the list in back-to-back seasons as Da'Ren Zeno cracks the top five. The wide receiver showed how electric he was last fall coming up with a pair of touchdowns in the 2A state championship game. Zeno has used that performance to build his name on the recruiting trail.

After attending a few camps this offseason, 247 Sports gave him a three-star ranking. During the camp circuit, he posted a 4.66 laser-timed 40-yard dash.

Sam Spiegelman of Tiger Details was impressed by his speed and hands.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound slot receiver was quick off the ball and flashed great hands. He caught nearly every ball thrown in his vicinity. Zeno is a gifted athlete who excels at tracking the football and making extremely athletic plays on the ball.

Zeno is looking to build on his 2017 season, one that saw him reel in 94 catches for 1,447 yards and 19 touchdowns. His play netted him a spot on the 2017 247 Sports All-Louisiana Football Team.

Despite just four offers, he's drawn interest from TCU, Tulane, ULM and UL Lafayette.

4. Christian Guillory (3*), Washington-Marion, LB - Offers: Tulane, UTSA, McNeese, Northwestern State, Houston Baptist, Texas Southern

The Charging Indians have a pair of ranked prospects this season and the first off the board is linebacker Christian Guillory. He's another late-riser who earned his scholarships after an all-district season.

Guillory is ranked as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports coming off a junior season that saw him rack up 107 tackles, with 16 coming behind the line. He also added eight sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. Guillory announced his commitment to McNeese in July.

Barton Simmons of 247 Sports was impressed with his coverage ability, naming him to the top defensive performer's list of The Opening Houston.

Though he's undersized at only around 5-11, Guillory was clearly the most effective linebacker at the event in my eyes. He may not have lost a rep in a cat-and-mouse drill that is very favorable to the offense. He was outstanding as a pass-rusher and he looked strong in pass coverage. With a 3.8 GPA, Guillory looks like he'd be a steal if he sticks to the Group of Five level.

In addition to his offers, Guillory has been shown interest from ULM, UL Lafayette and Louisiana Tech.

3. Gerron Duhon (3*), Sam Houston, ATH - Offers: Yale, Tulane, UTSA, Grambling, McNeese, Southeastern, Cornell

Gerron Duhon would have made it three Washington-Marion Charging Indians on the list, had he not transferred this offseason. Regardless, Duhon comes in at number three after a couple of strong summers on the recruiting trail.

Duhon announced his commitment to Ivy League school Yale University in July. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound running back and receiver is rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports and according to his Twitter profile, Duhon has a 4.2 GPA and has a 25 on the ACT.

His 2017 season saw him gain 522 yards and four touchdowns. While his numbers were not exceptional, his 4.4 40-time speed was on display.

Shea Dixon of 247 Sports saw Duhon's speed up close at The Opening Houston.

The Lake Charles standout can do a bit of it all as a running back and wide receiver, and he will likely leave high school ranked as an athlete, and getting under the 4.6 40-yard dash mark backs that up.

Duhon participated in spring football with the Broncos and is expected to play a key role in Sam Houston's offense.

Other schools that have shown him interest are Georgia Tech, Houston, Louisiana Tech, UL Lafayette, Southern and Texas State.

2. Jaylon Ned (3*), Washington-Marion DE - Offers: Houston, Tulane, UTSA, UL Lafayette, ULM, Grambling, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Southern, Southeastern, Jackson State, PV A&M

As we've mentioned before, Washington-Marion has the most top-end talent of any local football team. Jaylon Ned, a basketball standout turned defensive end, may have the most upside on this list.

At 6'6 and 230 pounds, it's no wonder why Ned is ranked as a three-star prospect. It's also no surprise he holds 12 Division I offers.

In 2017, he totaled 54 tackles, 14 of which were for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. He also showed a nose for the football, recovering five fumbles including one for a touchdown.

With a new coach in DeCarlos Holmes that specializes in the 3-4 defense, it'll be interesting to see how Ned is used this upcoming season.

1. Matthew Anderson (3*), Leesville, OT - Offers: Nebraska, LA Tech, Texas State, UL Lafayette, ULM, WKU, NDSU, McNeese, Nicholls, Southern

Rounding out the list is another big man on the line. Leesville offensive tackle Matthew Anderson is a late-riser that picked up his first offer in March. Since then, he's added to the list including a power five offer to Nebraska.

Back in June, the consensus three-star recruit committed to the Cornhuskers and hasn't looked back since. He told 247 Sports the offer came because of a photo in a doorway.

With his commitment behind him, he can now focus on football and do what he loves best- mauling defensive players. He told 107.7, a Nebraska radio station just that.

"That's one of my favorite things about football that you can just hit someone as hard as you can and you get praise for it," Anderson said. "Quite frankly, it's the best sport in my opinion when it comes down to that."

His athletism and speed at offensive tackle is what caught the eyes of the Nebraska coaches. At 6'6 and 250 pounds, he'll surely be asked to pack on the pounds initially, but seems like a perfect fit for the Huskers.

Anderson has also received interest from Tulane, Rice, Northwestern State and Southern Mississippi.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Dawson Ashford, Basile, QB -

Andre Reed, Basile, LB - Louisiana College

Tayte Langley, Iota, LB - Bellhaven

Juwan Felix, Iota OL - Millsaps College

Chaynery Johnson, Iota ATH - Cornell College

Darrian Achane, Jennings, RB - Southeastern

Anthony Johnson, LaGrange, RB - *McNeese*, Alcorn, Lamar, Nicholls, Southeastern

Shane Bradford, LCCP, CB -

Gage Rapp, Sulphur, WR - Arkansas-Monticello, Louisiana College

Carrington McClinton, Washington-Marion, RB/LB - Tulane, UTSA, ULM, Grambling, Northwestern State, Southeastern