NEW ORLEANS (April 15, 2026) – The Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame will hold its 2026 Awards Luncheon presented by LCMC Health on Wednesday, April 15. The highlight of the event will be the announcement of the winners of five college scholarships from the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
 
Forty local high school football players will be recognized for their achievements in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. The honorees were chosen from a group of scholar athletes from the New Orleans area that were nominated by their schools. Each of the 40 student athletes will be introduced individually with their accomplishments highlighted at the event. From that group of 40, five will be selected to receive Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships: four for $10,000 each and one for $20,000. The scholarship winners are chosen based on their accomplishments as well as essays submitted after being notified of their selection as scholar-athletes.
 
In addition to the high school honorees, two sports industry leaders will be recognized for their contributions to the community and the sport of football.
 
The New Orleans Chapter of the National Football Foundation was established in 1971. The Sugar Bowl took over sponsorship of the chapter in 2000 and since then it has recognized over 700 student-athletes while distributing over $800,000 in scholarship money.
 
2025-26 National Football Foundation Scholar Athletes (alphabetical by high school):
 
Jamyrion Williams (Alfred Bonnabel Magnet High School)
Safety; Head Coach: Andre Anthony
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; Bonnabel Football Academic Award. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; all-district; helped Bonnabel to its first winning season since 2012, its first district championship since 1998, and its first playoff win since 1997; also lettered in track. Undecided on college choice.
 
Greyson Dupré (Archbishop Hannan High School)
Linebacker/Punter; Head Coach: Steve Soper
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; all-district; LFCA All-Star Game participant; Gridiron Football All-Star Game participant; set school record for tackles in a season; also lettered in soccer for four years, earning all-district each year. Extracurricular Activities: Student Council; Hawk Buddies (special needs volunteer); Student Ambassador. Will play football at Millsaps College this fall.
 
Dylan Butler (Booker T. Washington High School)
Offensive Line/Defensive Tackle; Head Coach: Wayne Reese, Jr.
Academic Achievements: Principal's List; Herb Jones Excellence Award; School Leadership Award. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; also lettered in track and field. Extracurricular Activities: Student Body President; Student Council; Band; Ethics Bowl Debate Team; Chess Club. Plans to attend the University of Louisiana.
 
William A. Wiss IV (Brother Martin High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Mark Bonis
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (all four years); National Honor Society; Golden Torch Award (exemplary curricular and extracurricular commitment award); Darren Boudreaux Scholarship Recipient (individual award given to a rising senior for academic and athletic excellence). Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district. Extracurricular Activities: Miracle League volunteer; Jefferson Parish Recreation Department Special Needs Center; Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer. Plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Jackson Nunez (Chalmette High School)
Tight End/Halfback; Head Coach: Jason Tucker
Academic Achievements: Beta Club; Posse Scholarship recipient; AP Scholar; Mr. Chalmette. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; three-year starter; two-year team captain; two-time all-district; also lettered in basketball (three years) and tennis (four years). Extracurricular Activities: Student Council Treasurer; Senior Class Vice President; Terrific Teen for St. Bernard Parish Kiwanis Club; 4-H Club; Eco Allies; Key Club; Morning News School Anchor; League of Angels; Special Olympics buddy; participant in Coastal Restoration Project; lifeguard. Plans to attend Villanova.
 
Jacob Pompa (Covington High School)
Running Back/Athlete; Head Coach: Greg Salter
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (all four years); National Honor Society; Advanced Level Coursework. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; also lettered in wrestling, track, lacrosse, and rugby. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; church and community volunteer; volunteer with the Goodbee fire department. Plans to attend Millsaps.
 
Justin Van (Covington High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Greg Salter
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (all four years); Student of the Year nominee; Advanced Level Coursework. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district; helped the Lions to back-to-back state playoff appearances. Plans to attend the University of Louisiana.
 
Devin Barbarin Jr. (De La Salle High School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: Graham Jarrott
Academic Achievements: Gold Honor Roll (four quarters); Silver Honor Roll (four quarters); National English Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; four-year starter; team captain; all-district; Jeff Beaulieu Award (best teammate); also lettered in basketball for three years. Extracurricular Activities: District Rally Nominee for Spanish II; Physical Education Course Award; Retreat Team. Undecided on college choice.
 
Rob Lewis (De La Salle High School)
Running Back; Head Coach: Graham Jarrott
Academic Achievements: Saint Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement & Social Consciousness; Football Scholar Athlete (highest GPA); Honor Roll. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; all-district; also lettered in wrestling for three years winning the 175-pound state championship in 2026. Extracurricular Activities: Retreat Team. Undecided on college choice.
 
Kylon Jones (Edna Karr High School)
Linebacker; Head Coach: Brice Brown
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society; Student of the Month; Scholar Athlete of the Week. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; two-year team captain; all-state; all-district; team award for Best Linebacker. Extracurricular Activities: School Leadership Team; church deacon; community service for Algiers Auditorium. Will play football at Southern University.
 
Jason Jimenez (G.W. Carver High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Luis Figueroa
Academic Achievements: Principal's Honor Roll (three years); Football Team Scholar of the Year (twice). Athletic Achievements: Two-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district. Extracurricular Activities: Carver Big Brother mentor; School Ambassador; active church member; contributed 75 service hours in two years. Plans to attend the University of Louisiana.
 
Matthew Bonura (Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies)
Defensive Line/Fullback; Head Coach: P.J. Sprunk
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (all four years); National Honor Society; poem was accepted by The America Library of Poetry and published in a book; Art honors classes; Friday Night Football Scholar Athlete of the Week. Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; four-year starter; three-year team captain; two-time all-district; Mr. Yellow Jacket (team MVP); five-year starter and team captain in baseball (three-time all-district); three-year starter and team captain in basketball (all-district). Extracurricular Activities: FCA; Poetry Society. Undecided on college choice.
 
Calvin Drake III (Isidore Newman School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: Aaron Vice
Academic Achievements: Peer Leader (one of 16 in class). Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; all-district; helped the Greenies to a pair of LHSAA state quarterfinal appearances; also lettered in track for two years. Extracurricular Activities: Athletic Training Intern with Tulane Football; Son of a Saint mentor and volunteer; student ambassador. Will play football at Rhodes College.
 
Joshua Caleb Wilkins (Jefferson RISE Charter School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Chris Current
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll. Athletic Achievements: Two-year letterman; two-year starter; two-time all-district; also all-district in basketball for three years, winning District MVP as a senior; also a district champion sprinter in track; selected as school's Athlete of the Year. Extracurricular Activities: School operations internship. Plans to attend Arkansas Community Christian College.
 
Will Berry (Jesuit High School)
Defensive Line; Head Coach: Ryan Manale
Academic Achievements: Nominee, U.S. Presidential Scholars Program; National Merit Scholar; School Recognition Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement; AP Scholar Award; National Honor Society; National Latin Exam: Magna Cum Laude; Honor Roll (every semester). Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-year starter; four-year team captain; all-district; also lettered in wrestling winning the 2026 Division I state championship at 285 pounds. Extracurricular Activities: Hams for Fams (executive board), student-run organization providing meals to families in need; Krewe de Camp counselor; Eucharistic Minister. Will play football at Princeton University.
 
Jeffrey Curtis Jr. (John Curtis Christian School)
Linebacker; Head Coach: J.T. Curtis
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (four years), National Honor Society; Mathematics Award; Friday Night Football Scholar Athlete Award; Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; two-time all-state; two-time all-metro; two-time all-district; also earned all-district in baseball. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; Riverside Baptist Church youth group; Spirit Club; Operation Christmas Child Samaritan's Purse volunteer. Undecided on college choice.
 
MaKennie Nichols (John Ehret High School)
Defensive Tackle; Head Coach: Willie Brooks
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; International Baccalaureate Graduate candidate. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; Team Defensive MVP; also lettered in track for two years. Will play football at Louisiana Christian.
 
Caleb Larson (Lakeshore High School)
Defensive Back/Tight End; Head Coach: Brett Indest
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (every semester), National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district; all-parish; district Defensive MVP; helped the Titans to three straight playoff appearances, including a state quarterfinal trip in 2024; registered multiple pick-sixes in his career. Extracurricular Activities: First Baptist Church volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Pierre Eskinde (Livingston Collegiate Academy)
Running Back; Head Coach: Devon Francois
Academic Achievements: Ranks in top five of senior class; Honor Roll (every semester), National Honor Society; selected for Scholar Leadership Institute. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district; all-metro; team Offensive MVP; helped team to three straight playoff appearances; four-year letterman in track. Extracurricular Activities: Student Ambassador; Devoted Dreamers Academy; Rebuild Ministries. Will play football at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.
 
Darrell Logan Jr. (Livingston Collegiate Academy)
Safety; Head Coach: Devon Francois
Academic Achievements: Ranks in top 25 of senior class; Honor Roll; Honors and AP classes. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; all-metro; team Defensive MVP; helped team to three straight playoff appearances; also lettered in track. Extracurricular Activities: Youth Force Nola intern. Will play football at St. Olaf College.
 
Thomas Goscienski (Mandeville High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Craig Jones
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society; ACT 30+ Club; Gifted World Geography Outstanding Student; District Academic Rally (twice); AP Scholar; LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; three-time team captain; two-time all-district; Team Coaches Award. Extracurricular Activities: Youth and Government; Red Cross Club; FCA; Skipper Buddies. Undecided on college choice.
 
Nick Ingram (Mandeville High School)
Defensive Line; Head Coach: Craig Jones
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society; AP Scholar; LHSAA Academic All-State; ACT 30+ Club; Outstanding Student AP US History; Outstanding Student Honors Physical Science. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; all-district; Skipper Award. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; Youth and Government; Skipper Waymakers; Lighthouse Team; Leader and Me District Advisory Board; Key Club; United Way volunteer. Plans to attend Indiana University.
 
Avery Anderson Jr. (McDonogh 35 Senior High School)
Running Back; Head Coach: Frank Daggs
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Two-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; all-state; District MVP; leading rusher for district champion; 217 yards and three TDs in comeback win over Carver; helped Roneagles to back-to-back playoff appearances. Extracurricular Activities: Big Brother; lawn care business. Undecided on college choice.
 
Jamirin Scott (McDonogh 35 Senior High School)
Wide Receiver; Head Coach: Frank Daggs
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district; Team Offensive MVP; helped Roneagles to three straight playoff appearances; 20-yard TD catch sparked comeback win over Carver. Extracurricular Activities: Big Brother; student mentor; Neighborhood Watch volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Peyton Katz (Metairie Park Country Day School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: Ben Powell
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; AP Scholar; Rensselaer Award Recipient; Country Day Cum Laude Society; State Literary Rally. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district; also lettered in basketball and track. Extracurricular Activities: Model UN Club; Volunteer at Cancer Awareness; Rowing Club; trombone in school band; School Choir; flag football coach; Special Olympics volunteer; Barkus volunteer. Undecided on college choice.
 
Wyatt Perritt (Northlake Christian School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: James Willis
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; AP Scholar, Principal's List. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; four-year starter; two-year team captain; three-time all-district; football team Leadership Award; also a standout on the Wolverines powerlifting team. Extracurricular Activities: Band; FCA; church volunteer; tutor. Undecided on college choice.
 
Anthony Scandurro (Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Kenny Bourgeois
Academic Achievements: Valedictorian (perfect GPA); National Honor Society; Science National Honor Society; Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; three-year starter; two-year team captain; two-time all-district; captain of the wrestling team – back-to-back fifth-place finishes at state championship; also lettered in track. Extracurricular Activities: Scouting America (Eagle Scout); lawn care business; church volunteer; Student Council Vice President; Environmental Club Vice President. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Hunter Smith (Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy)
Defensive Back/Linebacker; Head Coach: Kenny Bourgeois
Academic Achievements: Principal's Honor Roll; National History Day Regional Placement; National History Day State Placement; National History Day National Qualifier; Ochsner STAR Scholar. Athletic Achievements: Two-year letterman; two-year starter; two-year team captain; two-time all-district; two-time team MVP; District Defensive MVP; lettered in baseball for six years and earned all-district; also lettered in swimming. Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society Vice President; Environmental Club Secretary; ASPIRATION Brite Student Researcher. Plans to attend Villanova.
 
Augustine Lawrence Pizza (Pope John Paul II High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Phillip Pigott
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (every semester). Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; four-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; Jaguar Award (most dedicated leader on and off the field); Team Offensive MVP; also named MVP of the golf team; also lettered in baseball. Extracurricular Activities: Catholic Athletes for Christ; Altar Server; volunteer for Our Lady of Lourdes Lenten. Plans to play golf at Shelton State.
 
Samer Walid Attamari (Riverdale High School)
Offensive Line/Defensive Line; Head Coach: Mark Longo
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (every semester); Principal's List; National Honor Society; Riverdale High School Spotlight Student; finalist for Riverdale High School Student of the Year; Posse Nominee for Case Western Reserve; Class Rank Top 20. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; all-district; helped team to district championship; also lettered in wrestling. Extracurricular Activities: Jefferson Parish Superintendent Student Council; Jefferson Youth Community Leadership Council; Student Council Class President; director of WRHS News Team; Beta Club, Mosque Ramadan volunteer. Undecided on college choice.
 
Sy'our Ferrell (Riverdale High School)
Safety/Wide Receiver; Head Coach: Mark Longo
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (every semester); National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; three-year starter; two-time team captain; three-time all-district; helped team to district championship; helped basketball to two district championships; also lettered in track. Extracurricular Activities: Entourage mentorship program. Undecided on college choice.
 
Vashaun Coulon (St. Augustine High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Robert Valdez
Academic Achievements: Principal's List; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; two-year team captain; all-district; all-metro; all-state; Co-MVP of district; New Orleans Large Schools Offensive Player of the Year; led team to state championship game; seven-time Manning Award Futures selection. Extracurricular Activities: Poetry Society; FCA; Summer Camp advisor; youth instructor. Will play football at Southern.
 
Noah D. Dunn (St. Martin's Episcopal High School)
Running Back; Head Coach: Kevin Dizer
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; all-district; captain of the bowling team; state qualifier in the javelin. Extracurricular Activities: Jewish Community Center summer camp counselor; BBYO youth group counselor; GOPTY (Congregation Gates of Prayer's Youth Group program) counselor; The Fielkow-Chase Education Initiative; Spirit Club; Maker's Space Club; Chess Club. Undecided on college choice.
 
Aidan Molaison (St. Martin's Episcopal High School)
Offensive Line/Defensive Line; Head Coach: Kevin Dizer
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; all-district; Brandon Burlsworth Character Award. Extracurricular Activities: Spirit Club; Student Body President; Science Olympiad; Student Ambassador; Quiz Bowl; tutor; cantor at St. Katherine's; choir. Undecided on college choice.
 
Nathaniel Canizaro (Saint Paul's School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Ken Sears
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (every semester); National Honor Society; Golden Torch Award (exemplary curricular and extracurricular commitment award); Darren Boudreaux Scholarship (award given to a rising senior for academic and athletic excellence). Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; two-year team captain; two-time all-district; all-parish; three-time district champion; also lettered in powerlifting and rugby; finished third in the state (242 pounds) at the Division I powerlifting championships in 2026. Extracurricular Activities: Football camp counselor; Youth Lasallian Assembly Representative; Saint Paul's Marching Wolves (Marching Band); Concert Band percussionist; St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Night Out Against Crime volunteer; Senior Citizens' Christmas Luncheon volunteer; Silicone Valley Harvest Food Bank volunteer. Plans to attend Mississippi State.
 
Cody Corales (Saint Paul's School)
Running Back; Head Coach: Ken Sears
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (every semester); First Place – U.S. History (highest average in subject). Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-year starter; two-year team captain; all-state; three-time all-district; three-time district champion; also earned all-district in baseball; Athlete of the Year twice at Saint Paul's. Extracurricular Activities: Football camp counselor; gymnastics volunteer. Will play football at Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Daniel Chastant III (Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advanced Studies)
Center/Defensive Line; Head Coach: Kenny Bush
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; Breakfast of Champions; TOPS Honor; Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; four-year starter; team captain; all-district; helped the Jaguars to back-to-back state playoff appearances; Louisiana Football Magazine Heart of Champions selection. Extracurricular Activities: Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office community volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Jonathan Dupont II (Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advanced Studies)
Wide Receiver/Running Back/Linebacker/Defensive Back; Head Coach: Kenny Bush
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; Breakfast of Champions; All-Academic Divisional Team. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; two-year team captain; all-district; Coaches Award; helped the Jaguars to back-to-back state playoff appearances; also lettered in soccer for four years; soccer Defensive MVP. Extracurricular Activities: Church Youth Group. Undecided on college choice.
 
Geremy Lewis (Walter L. Cohen High School)
Quarterback/Halfback/Receiver/Safety; Head Coach: Rob Kelley
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll (all four years); Academic MVP of football team. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; four-year starter; three-year team captain; four-time all-district; Team Offensive Player of the Year; also lettered in basketball and track; earned Coaches Award for basketball and Impact Award for track. Extracurricular Activities: YMCA camp leader. Undecided on college choice.
 
Jaedon Phillips (Warren Easton High School)
Safety; Head Coach: Jerry Phillips
Academic Achievements: Alpha Honor Roll; Excellence in AP English III; AP Seminar and Research Certificate; 13 Medals of Academic Recognition; Highest GPA on football team (three years). Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; two-year team captain; all-district; also lettered in baseball (four years) and track. Extracurricular Activities: Youth sports coach and volunteer; Bethany Church mentorship; community outreach initiatives. Undecided on college choice.
 
The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 29 national champions, 114 Hall of Fame players, 55 Hall of Fame coaches and 21 Heisman Trophy winners in its 92-year history. The 93rd Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic, which will serve as a College Football Playoff Semifinal, will be played on January 15, 2027. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards, scholarships and clinics. Through these efforts, the organization supports and honors thousands of student-athletes each year, while injecting over $2.5 billion into the local economy in the last decade.