Recruiting Spotlight: Bryce Gates, Arcadia High School, Arcadia, Louisiana

Versatile athlete Bryce Gates of Arcadia High School is one of the most dynamic all-around playmakers in Louisiana’s Class of 2027. Standing 5’10” and weighing 170 pounds, Gates contributes as a defensive back, wide receiver, and return specialist, impacting the game in all three phases.

Gates put together an outstanding 2025 season, totaling 1,300 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns. On defense, he added four interceptions and 54 tackles, while also making a major impact on special teams with three kick return touchdowns and one punt return touchdown. His ability to change the game in multiple ways makes him a true utility weapon.

According to Lee Brecheen, Gates is an under-the-radar prospect with the ability to play at the next level.

“He’s only about 5-9, 155 pounds, but a great athlete for the program. He also plays linebacker/safety and ran for over 1,200 yards in 2025. He’s a great student with around a 3.6 GPA, and it may be even higher now. He could play college football for the right program as an athlete,” Brecheen said.

His performance earned him multiple postseason honors, including First Team All-District as a return specialist and receiver, along with Second Team All-District recognition at defensive back and athlete.

Gates also brings impressive athletic testing numbers, including a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, a 4.2 shuttle, a 9’7” broad jump, and a 32-inch vertical—highlighting his explosiveness and speed.

In addition to football, Gates is a standout on the baseball field. He has been a starting player since his freshman year, playing outfield before moving to shortstop. A two-time Second Team All-District selection, he has led his team in stolen bases over the past two seasons, averaging around three per game and totaling approximately 108 stolen bases over three years. In 2026, he finished second on the team in hits and RBIs while leading in on-base percentage.

In the classroom, Gates maintains a 3.7 GPA and has scored a 23 on the ACT, showing a strong commitment academically as well.

“Playing for my school means representing something bigger than myself,” Gates said. “My coaches have helped shape me as both a player and a person, and every time I step on the field, I want to show that athletes from smaller schools can compete with anyone.”

Gates has drawn interest from several programs, including Northwestern State University, Grambling State University, Southern Arkansas University, Nicholls State University, and McNeese State University. He currently holds offers from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Baptist College, and Texas A&M University–Texarkana.

Looking ahead, Gates plans to major in engineering while continuing his athletic career at the next level.

Athletics run in the family, as his father, Marchello Gates, played football for the Springhill Lumberjacks and also competed in track and field.

With elite versatility, production across multiple sports, and strong academic performance, Bryce Gates is a name college programs should keep a close eye on as his recruitment continues to grow.

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