Baton Rouge Academy brings out stars

BATON ROUGE, La. - One of the top prospects at the Baton Rouge Five-Star Academy this weekend is also one of the top prospects in the entire nation. Chris Davenport of Mansfield High School was in attendance at the event held at LSU, a school that sits near the top of his list.

On Saturday afternoon, Davenport was joined by over 100 prospects from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, many of whom have hopes of returning to Tiger Stadium as a player either for LSU or on the opposing sideline.

Though there were many players who looked the part on the afternoon, there was little doubt that the most imposing physical presence in attendance was Davenport. The Rivals100 prospect was measured at 6-3.5 and just over 307 pounds. His body is well put together and if his personal goals are any indication, he can put it to good use.

"I'm working on my upper body strength and speed," Davenport said. "I'm probably gonna get down to a 4.8 or 4.9 (in the forty) and probably looking at coming in as a freshman in college bench pressing about 435."

While Davenport has LSU high on his list, he had a chance to interact with an in-state prospect that has already pulled the trigger on a Tiger commitment. Lake Charles (La.) Barbe defensive back Janzen Jackson measured in at 6 feet even and 174 pounds.

Jackson committed to the Tigers at LSU's junior day in February and projects as a cornerback with great size and physicality.

Recently, Jackson transferred from Carencro high school to Barbe where he will bring some attention to one of the state's top sleeper prospects in Ernest Celestie. Celestie weighed in at 173 pounds and measured at 5-foot-11. He will be a name to watch in the future due to his athleticism and ability to make plays with the ball in his hands.

One of several prospects in attendance from the state of Mississippi was Josh Herring from Bay Springs High School. Herring claims offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State and tipped the scales at 226 pounds and 6-foot-1.

Two other Mississippi natives got an early jump on the recruiting process as Lucedale (Miss.) George County 2010 standouts Billey Joe Johnson and R.J. Spivey were on hand. The two players were part of the 2007 class 5A state runner-up team in Mississippi. As a running back, Johnson measured in at 5-foot-10 and a powerful 220 pounds.

Another top sophomore in attendance didn't have to travel quite as far. Baton Rouge (La.) Capitol quarterback Terrance Broadway was measured at just over 6 feet and 202 pounds and will be one of the top 2010 prospects in the state of Louisiana.

Out of Archbishop Shaw High School, defensive back Chad Boyd made an appearance. At just under 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds, Boyd can play safety or cornerback and should be a solid 2009 defensive back prospect.

Though the Academy is an event for rising seniors, LSU commit and 2008 prospect Jordan Jefferson managed to stop by his future stomping ground with his cousin, 2009 defensive end prospect Shakeil Lucas out of L.W. Higgins. Lucas will be a definite name to keep an eye on in the coming months and he was measured at just a hair under 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds.

There were a number of players in attendance that are not currently high on the recruiting radar but passed the eyeball test with flying colors. Among those players were Gary London out of Southern Lab High School and Chris Wade out of Slidell (La.) Northshore. London is a defensive end that stands at 6-foot-3 and weighed in at 232 pounds while Wade is an inside linebacker that was measured right at 6-feet and 210 pounds.