SBLive Louisiana All-State football team: Many two-way standout, USC signee Tackett Curtis named MVP

By LaMar Gafford 

Photo of Many's Tackett Curtis (with ball) by Parker Waters 

It's been several months since the 2022 high school football season wrapped up in the Caesars Superdome with eight state champions.

Now, it is time to recognize those who were among the most outstanding players in one of the top football-playing states in the country.

Here is the SBLive Louisiana All-State football team from the 2022 season, starting with the superlative award winners and then moving on to the first and second team honorees.

Most Valuable Player

Tackett Curtis | Many | Sr.

There are guys that are just born to play football and Curtis is one of those.

The USC signee always made an impact on defense, and his stat line of 112 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions is not a surprise.

However, he added 1,115 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Tigers to their second title in three seasons, while adding four punt return touchdowns.

In the Tigers' 35-13 win against Union Parish for the Division III non-select title, Curtis rushed for 99 yards and two TDs, one of those covering 80 yards. He also tied for the team lead in tackles with seven.

Offensive Player of the Year

D’wanye’ “Lunch” Winfield | Lutcher | Sr.

A dual threat dynamo, Winfield carved up opposing defenses to the tune of an unprecedented 4,657 yards and 70 touchdowns with his passing and running.

Winfield had 13 games where he topped 100 yards rushing - finishing with 2,477 yards and 38 touchdowns. However, the University of Louisiana signee led Lutcher to its first title since 2016 with 299 passing yards in the Bulldogs' 28-25 win against North DeSoto for the Division II non-select championship.

As a result, Winfield had 2,180 yards and 32 touchdowns through the air.

Defensive Player of the Year

Walteze Champ | Homer | Sr.

If the iconic photo of Champ during the Division IV non-select championship game doesn’t show how imposing he is, then I don’t know what will.

For the season, the Texas Southern signee made 101 tackles and 10 sacks as the Co-MVP of his district and added three defensive touchdowns.

Coach of the Year

Marcus Scott | Destrehan

Since the LHSAA began its split in 2013, the Wildcats have been right there at the doorstep for a title, but could not kick the door down with losses in the semifinals or finals in seven of nine years. Not this year.

At Scott’s disposal was a defense that allowed just 91 points (6.5 per game) all season long and only gave up 20 points once. The Wildcats finally got the job done by holding Ruston to 189 total yards in a 17-10 win for the Division I non-select championship as Destrehan also finished the season 14-0.

As a result, this was Destrehan’s first football title since going back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.

Newcomer of the Year

Luke Delafield | North DeSoto | Fr.

North DeSoto coach Dennis Dunn knows a great quarterback when he sees one.

At Evangel, he had Brock Berlin, Josh Booty and John David Booty. At Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian), he had Easton Melancon and Ben McLaughlin.

If his freshman year is any indication, Delafield could be the next after passing for 2,504 yards and 38 touchdowns to lead the Griffins to their first state title game appearance.

To boot, Delafield comes from a long line for North DeSoto throwers bearing that same last name as sisters Emma Callie and Aly won multiple softball titles with the Lady Griffins. Aly Delafield, in fact, was the winning pitcher when North DeSoto claimed the Division II non-select title in late April.

First Team

Offense

Quarterback

JuJuan Johnson | Lafayette Christian | Jr.

After committing to Colorado and new coach Deion Sanders, Johnson recently de-committed and has now reopened his recruitment.

The electrifying quarterback threw for 4,010 yards and 43 touchdowns to lead the Knights to the Division II select championship game. He also rushed for 1,280 yards and 17 touchdowns - finishing the year with totals of 5,290 yards and 60 touchdowns on offense.

Running Backs

Trey Holly | Union Parish | Sr.

There is not enough to say about Holly, who broke Louisiana’s all-time rushing record with 10,523 yards and 146 touchdowns for his career. The LSU signee once again led the Farmers to the LHSAA Prep Classic by rushing for 2,694 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Harlem Berry | St. Martin’s | So.

One of Louisiana’s talented crop of up-and-coming running backs, Berry did not have a sophomore slump - rushing for 2,277 yards and 37 touchdowns to push the Saints to the semifinals for the first time in program history.

Wide Receivers

Shelton Sampson Jr. | Catholic-Baton Rouge | Sr.

The LSU signee closed his career with 1,152 yards and 18 touchdowns after guiding the Bears to another deep postseason run - reaching the Division I select semifinals.

Christian McNees | St. Thomas More | Sr.

The Army signee finished the season with 66 catches for 1,356 yards and 17 touchdowns as the top receiver for the Cougars’ aerial attack. He saved his best for last by catching seven passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns in the Division II select title game - receiving Most Outstanding Player honors in STM’s title game win.

Offensive Line

Zalance Heard | Neville | Sr.

For the second straight year, the Tigers had one of the top offensive linemen in the state, and like Will Campbell, the massive Heard (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) signed with LSU as the fourth-best offensive tackle in the nation.

Caden Jones | De La Salle | Sr.

Signing with Florida and former UL coach Billy Napier, Jones was a massive road grader for a Cavalier offense that churned out 4,778 yards and 58 touchdowns. Jones earned a nod to the All- American Bowl and did not allow a sack all season.

Matthew Broussard | E.D. White | Sr.

The University of Louisiana came away with four offensive linemen from its February signing day class, and Broussard was arguably one of the best ones after leading a physical E.D. White rushing attack.

Mason Skipper | Ruston | Sr.

The Bearcats pride themselves on their physicality and Skipper was a big reason for that. Skipper was the top offensive lineman for a team that had two 1,000-yard rushers and amassed more than 4,500 yards this season en route to their first LHSAA Prep Classic appearance since 1990.

Landry Cannon | Destrehan | Sr.

Cannon provided the punch in the trenches for a Wildcat offense that gained nearly 5,000 yards of offense. The Tulane signee had 29 pancake blocks and graded at 91 percent for the season as the anchor for the Division I non-select champions.

Kicker

Peyton Woodring | Ascension Episcopal | Sr.

Any time a high school kicker can make a 60-yard field goal, he deserves a spot on this list. Woodring was the No. 1 kicking recruit in the country and made 11-of-17 field goals - with four of his misses coming from 54 yards or longer.

And yes, the rich do get richer as he signed with two-time defending champion Georgia in February.

Return Specialist

Daniel Blood | Destrehan | Sr.

Blood made opposing teams pay when they kicked the ball to him, as he averaged just over 20 yards and four touchdowns in 17 returns. He also caught 33 passes for 708 yards and 12 touchdowns - finishing the season with a touchdown in nearly three touches.

Athlete

Jai Eugene Jr. | Destrehan | Sr.

Eugene projects to be a defensive back at the next level like his father (a former LSU standout), but he was the Wildcats' leader on offense as a quarterback.

The Tulane signee accounted for 2,622 yards and 36 touchdowns on offense, and his 29-yard fourth quarter touchdown run netted Destrehan the Division I non-select title.

Defense

Defensive Line

Deshaun Batiste | John F. Kennedy | Sr.

Aptly named “The Reaper," Batiste collected opposing quarterbacks’ souls with 17 sacks as the Cougars’ top pass rusher. Of the Troy signee’s 66 tackles, 29 of them resulted in lost yardage.

Matthew Fobbs-White | Neville | Sr.

Not only did the Tigers have one of the best offensive linemen in the nation in Zalance Heard, but they also had one of the best on the defensive line in Fobbs-White. A powerful hitter, the Tulane signee and No. 24 2023 prospect in Louisiana had 40 tackles, 11 sacks and 25 quarterback hurries.

Ashley Williams | Zachary | Sr.

The Arizona State signee turned up the heat on defense with 51 tackles, nine sacks and 14 quarterback hurries for the Broncos, who reached the semifinals.

Jonathan Bax | Edna Karr | Sr.

TCU has dipped into the Louisiana pipeline a bit in recent years and they have another good one in Bax.

The Karr senior had 63 tackles with 19 sacks, 24 hurries, 16 pass breakups and five forced fumbles for the Catholic League champions.

Linebackers

Jadon Mayfield | Ruston | Jr.

Already a two-time Defensive MVP in District 2-5A, Mayfield is building up quite the resume as the Bearcats' defensive leader. Mayfield had 119 tackles and four-and-a-half sacks for the Division I non-select finalists.

Jaiden Ausberry | University Lab | Sr.

Signing with Notre Dame, Ausberry had 133 tackles with three sacks, four pass breakups and a blocked kick as the Cubs made it to the Division II select semifinals and was responsible for defeating Arch Manning and Newman in the quarterfinals.

Justin Horne | John Curtis | Sr.

The Patriots might have had a young defense en route to winning the Division I select championship, but Horne was one of the main leaders as the rest of the team rounded to form.

One of the best in the nation in the 60-meter hurdles, the Texas Tech signee showcased his agility with 144 tackles and six sacks.

Defensive Backs

Tylen Singleton | Many | Jr.

The other highly touted member of the Tigers’ defense, Singleton helped make it even harder for opponents to throw on them. Singleton racked up 78 tackles and three interceptions this season, and is ranked as one of Louisiana’s top 2024 recruits.

Kylin Jackson | Zachary | Sr.

A solid two-way player for the Broncos, Jackson made the most impact as a physical safety with 40 tackles, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. The LSU signee was also the District 4-5A MVP.

Jordan Matthews | Woodlawn-Baton Rouge | Sr.

Another elite defensive back from the Baton Rouge area, Matthews blocked six kicks and broke up four passes for the Panthers.

The Tennessee signee also comes from an athletic family, with his brother Josh playing receiver at McNeese and his father Roshaun playing defensive end at LSU and Southern.

Michael Richard | Edna Karr | Sr.

Richard did a little bit of everything for the Cougars, whether it was being a lockdown corner, a leader in pursuit or even a key special teams contributor. The Louisiana Tech signee had 47 tackles with 15 pass breakups, eight sacks, four interceptions and five blocked punts.

Punter

Badger Hargett | Ascension Episcopal | Sr.

It goes without saying that the Blue Gators had arguably the best kicking game in Louisiana. Like Peyton Woodring at kicker, Hargett also possessed a big leg with 45.5 yards per punt (25 punts) and a long of 66 yards.

Hargett, an LSU commit, also had 11 punts downed inside the 10-yard line and caused four muffed punts.

Second Team

Offense

Quarterback

Arch Manning | Newman | Sr.

The Manning name carries a lot of weight at Newman and this current Manning joined uncles Peyton and Eli as one of the best signal-callers in school history.

The Texas signee went 138-for-228 for 2,315 yards, 34 touchdowns and two interceptions to help the Greenies reach the quarterfinals.

Running Backs

Xavier Ford | Leesville | So.

Like his uncle and former LSU running back Michael Ford, Xavier electrified the Wampus Cat backfield for a team making its second quarterfinal in five years. Ford was a workhorse all season - rushing for 2,581 yards and 34 touchdowns on 361 carries.

Kaden Williams | St. James | Sr.

It was hard to contain the Austin Peay signee this year as Williams rushed for 1,940 yards and 37 touchdowns and added 36 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns.

He gave opposing defenses fits all season as he scored at least five touchdowns in four separate games.

Wide Receivers

Omarion Miller | North Caddo | Sr.

Flipping to Colorado after being committed to LSU and Nebraska prior, the dynamic Miller was important in all three phases of the game. Miller caught 55 passes for 1,232 yards and 16 touchdowns to highlight a 21-touchdown season.

Howard Kinchen | Patterson | Sr.

Whenever the ball was thrown Kinchen’s way, he often was the one to come down with it utilizing his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. Kinchen led the quarterfinal-bound Lumberjacks with 88 receptions for 1,587 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Tight End

Joe Thomas Layton | Oak Grove | So.

Another talented tight end that can catch and block, Layton hauled in 32 passes for 502 yards and five touchdowns as the Tigers earned the Division IV non-select title.

Offensive Line

Ethan Fields | Dutchtown | Sr.

A massive lineman at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, the Ole Miss signee graded over 90 percent for his fit, footwork and finishing technique this season.

Hayden Christman | Tioga | Sr.

An incredible shot put and discus thrower, the Louisiana Tech football signee displayed his strength as the driving force for a Tioga squad that averaged 191.5 rushing yards per game. Not to be outdone, Christman had a booming leg with 45 yards per punt.

Brandon Spincer | Edna Karr | Sr.

In the high school level, four-year starters are hard to come by and Spincer has been one of the more dependable ones for the Cougars. Starting every game since his freshman year, the Southeastern Louisiana signee neutralized edge rushers as either a left tackle or left guard.

Kemarion Ivory | Haynesville | Sr.

Whenever Haynesville needed some tough yards on the ground, Ivory was usually the one leading the charge. Because of his play in the trenches, the Golden Tornado running backs were able to amass more than 4,000 yards rushing.

Edwin Wilson | Kentwood | Sr.

A physically imposing lineman for the Kangaroos, Wilson did not allow a single sack and recorded 72 pancakes.

Kicker

Aeron Burrell | Parkway | Jr.

Sometimes, the best offense can be a strong kicking game. Burrell, who recently committed to LSU, provided just that with a pair of 50-yard field goals, including one to defeat Haughton in walk-off fashion.

Against Captain Shreve, Burrell made four field goals and had 51 of his 52 kickoffs go for touchbacks.

Return Specialist

Matthew Melancon | E.D. White | Sr.

Serving as a running back and a defensive back for the Cardinals, Melancon’s greatest damage came in the return game, with 25.5 yards per punt return and four touchdowns. The Nicholls signee also averaged 30.7 yards per kick return.

Athlete

Tate Hamby | Ouachita Christian | Jr.

Hamby was a jack-of-all-trades for the Division IV select champions as their receiving leader, lockdown defensive back and primary return specialist.

Hamby caught 53 passes for 826 yards and eight touchdowns on offense, and made 70 tackles with five interceptions on defense. He also gained 916 yards and five touchdowns on special teams.

Defense

Defensive Line

Jake Ibieta | Metairie Park Country Day | Sr.

A two-way iron man, Ibieta was a force on defense for the Cajuns with 87 tackles and eight sacks. Not only did he pressure opposing quarterbacks with eight hurries, but he caused fits on special teams with two blocked kicks.

Brenden Leblanc | Brother Martin | Sr.

LeBlanc had 89 tackles, 11 sacks and five quarterback knockdowns to lead the Crusaders to their first championship game since 1989.

Christian Davis | Ruston | Sr.

A huge defensive tackle at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Davis helped Ruston reach its first championship game since 1990 with totals of 76 tackles, five sacks and an interception. The Bearcat signed at the FCS level with Northwestern State.

Ta’Derius Collins | Northwood-Shreveport | Sr.

Indiana has staked a recent claim for defensive linemen in the 318 area code, and it found another one in Collins. Collins had 68 tackles and 13 sacks for the Falcons.

Linebackers

Xavier Atkins | Jonesboro-Hodge | Jr.

Atkins didn’t quite have the Madden numbers that he had during his sophomore year, but he did manage to make 121 tackles and three sacks as a do-it-all player for the Tigers. An LSU commit, Atkins will look to terrify offenses in Texas next season at Summer Creek.

Kolaj Cobbins | Destrehan | Jr.

Defense wins championships and the Wildcats definitely had a great one built around their talented linebacker and LSU commit. Cobbins made 82.5 tackles and 10.5 sacks for the Division I non-select champions.

Noah Lovelady | Ouachita Christian | Jr.

The leading tackler for the Eagles in each of his first two seasons, Lovelady was again the top disruptor on defense with 147 tackles - 19 of those for lost yardage. Lovelady also had nine takeaways by himself - five of those being forced fumbles.

Defensive Backs

Nicholas Beckwith | St. Thomas More | Sr.

How fitting is it that an Air Force signee was pivotal against aerial attacks? Beckwith made 95 tackles, but what stood out were his six interceptions - including one to seal the Division II select championship against crosstown rival Lafayette Christian during the LHSAA Prep Classic.

Jadan Aubert | St. James | Sr.

The Jones College (Miss.) signee recorded 68 tackles, four interceptions and five pass breakups for the Division III select semifinalists.

Michael Hotard | St. Charles | Sr.

Instrumental in leading the Comets to titles in back-to-back years, Hotard split between defensive back and linebacker to post 88 tackles and three-and-a-half sacks.

Kam Franklin | Oak Grove | Sr.

A physical, hard-hitting safety, the Oklahoma State signee made 112 tackles and had 43 of those going for a loss. Franklin also forced five fumbles, recovered four, blocked four punts and scored four touchdowns on defense.

Punter

William Hudlow | Jesuit | Sr.

Possessing a booming leg, the Tulane signee averaged 44 yards per punt and had 12 of his 40 punts go inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.