Take a look at LSU's list of visitors for Alabama game Warren Easton wideout Tyron Johnson (13) By James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune This Saturday in Tiger Stadium, LSU will look to notch a major victory as the Tigers square off with SEC West foe Alabama. This game has become one of the most anticipated annual matchups in college football and rightfully so. You could easily make the argument that these two programs boast rosters littered with more talent than any other program. There is one major reason these two programs have stood tall as powerhouses in the college football landscape: success on the recruiting trail. Yes, Nick Saban and Les Miles have resumes that stand against anyone's in the nation. But it all starts on the recruiting trail as talent ultimately wins games. LSU always has a vast array of premier prospects on hand for its SEC matchups, but this week is special. It's Alabama week. This list of prospects is endless, the talent pool nearly unfathomable as a ridiculous number of elite level prospects converge on Baton Rouge for the matchup between bitter rivals. Below is an early list of prospects expected to be in attendance along with some notes of things to watch out for as the Tigers look to make a big splash on the recruiting trail. The Tigers are expecting 13 of their 15 commitments to be in attendance with Jacksonville cornerback Kevin Toliver being tabbed as an official. Toliver has a great relationship with other LSU targets, but possibly the most important two are Warren Easton wide receiver Tyron Johnson and Riverdale cornerback Donte Jackson. He has been recruiting both and has been fairly effective to this point. East St. John quarterback Xavier Lewis (3) is being chased by Terrebonne defensive back Jordan Cook (52) during East St. John homecoming at Joe Keller Memorial Stadium in Reserve on Friday, October 31, 2014. (Photo by Peter G. Forest)Peter Forest East St. John cornerback Xavier Lewis is also extremely tight with the group and has also been doing his fair share of recruiting. If the Tigers are able to land Johnson and Jackson, their two-premier defensive back commitments will play a key role in making that happen. The days of prospects being a "lock" for a particular school are long gone and the Tigers have a little work to do if they want to keep their class together. University running back Nicholas Brossette, Mississippi offensive tackle Matt Womack and Catholic running back Derrius Guice would all fit into the "soft commitment" category right now, but all three will be on hand for this weekend's match-up. LSU-commitments: Nick Brossette David Ducre Jazz Ferguson Blake Ferguson Derrius Guice Xavier Lewis Adrian Magee Justin McMillan Bry'Kiethon Mouton Maea Teuhema Kevin Toliver (Official Visit) Isaiah Washington Matt Womack Having commimtents on hand is a great sign for LSU. But having their top targets on hand maybe even more important right now. With ten available scholarships to fill the SEC allotted 25 spots they have in each cycle, the Tigers are looking to close with a bang. Alabama commitment Daylon Charlot will be on hand, but on the Tigers' sideline. The Tigers have been working the Patterson wide receiver for some time, but he has been fairly elusive throughout his recruitment. As a result of his anonymity, there hasn't been much discussion regarding the 6-foot, 180-pound receiver, but there should be as the recruiting cycle enters the backstretch. The Tigers are in striking distance to land the four-star receiver. Recruiting Corner: Kendall Bussey, Christian Campbell, Deshawn Capers-Smith, LSU and Dylan Jackson, DeMarkus Lodge, and more - video NOLA.com | The Times - Picayune's Julie Boudwin and recruiting guru James Smith analyze all the top football recruits from around the metro area, and find out where they’re headed next year. Jackson, Johnson and Evangel offensive lineman Jerry Tillery may be the three biggest targets on the board and they sit in a pretty good position for each. If National Signing Day were moved up to tomorrow, I would put my money on LSU signing all three. With that said, neither is a slam-dunk by any means and the Tigers know that. Jackson has formed quite a bond with LSU freshman running back sensation Leonard Fournette and that relationship has paid some dividends as Jackson becomes more acclimated with the Tigers' players. Johnson, the state's top prospect, makes a return trip to Baton Rouge after missing the Ole Miss game due to his school's homecoming dance falling on the same night. The Tigers are eagerly seeking his signature as his unique ability to make big plays after the catch would give them a dimension they don't currently have on their roster. If the Tigers can show improvements in the passing game during the last few weeks of the season, they will greatly improve their already good chances of landing Johnson and all of his abilities. Pine High School quarterback Derrick Dillion, 4, runs in for a touchdown against Pope John Paul II High School during the homecoming game at Pope John Paul II in Slidell on Friday, October 10, 2014. (Quentin Winstine photo) Julie Boudwin, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune Florida wide receiver commitment and Pine star Derrick Dillon is expected to be on hand for the second time this season. As I reported a couple weeks ago, there is an interest between both parties that is worth paying attention to. There may not be a more reserved prospect in the state so getting details from Dillon is rare to say the least. However, sources say that he has been far more responsive over recent weeks, even initiating some contact between the two parties. The Tigers were first recruiting Dillon as a defensive back, which was a turn off for the aspiring college receiver. The Tigers are hosting North Carolina offensive tackle commitment William Sweet for an official visit and they would love to flip the 6-foot-6, 275-pound specimen. They brought him in over the summer and he has been getting tag-teamed by LSU offensive line coach and Florida area recruiter Corey Raymond. The offensive tackle position is one of great need for the Tigers and Sweet has a lot of upside. Top LSU Targets: Kris Boyd (maybe) Matthew Burrell (official visit) Daylon Charlot Rasool Clemons Donte Jackson Cece Jefferson Malik Jefferson (official visit) Tyron Johnson Arden Key Ronnie Lamarque Jr. Leo Lewis DaMarkus Lodge Kyle Phillips Justin Reid Kendall Sheffield Darius Slayton William Sweet (Official Visit) Garrett Taylor Adonis Thomas Jerry Tillery Vincent Perry Cordell Broadus (maybe) Christian Campbell Derrick Dillon Oshea Dugas Lanard Fournette Manny Miles 2016 LSU targets: Feleipe Franks (LSU commitment) Stephen Sullivan (LSU commitment) Malik Antoine Edwin Alexander Willie Allen Deontay Anderson Gabe Angel Donavaughn Campbell Shyheim Carter Michael Divinity Kristian Fulton Brandon Jones Mykel Jones Rashard Lawrence Khalil Ladler Eric Lewis Glen Logan Herb McGee Eric Monroe Shea Patterson Jamal Pettigrew James Skalski Andraez "Greedy" WIlliams JoeJuan WIlliams Devin White 2017 LSU targets: Dylan Moses (LSU commitment) Adrian Ealy Tyson Chandler Maleik Gray Tyler Shelvin JaCoby Stevens Trey Coleman Thomas Johnston Ben Miles Aaron Moffitt Keytaon Thompson Michael Williams (2018)
Too much more info on this weekends visitors.....nice write-up..... "And you thought the visitor list for the Ole Miss game was impressive? LSU is set to host what is likely its best ever collection of recruiting talent on Saturday for the big showdown with Alabama. Top recruits from throughout Louisiana and the nation are expected to descend on Baton Rouge and take up spots in Tiger Stadium for LSU’s most intense home game of the season. TSD has collected the complete list of recruits that are expected to be in attendance. Between the 2015, 2016 and 2017 classes, there are nine five-star prospects and 41 four-star prospects." http://louisianastate.scout.com/story/1477145
http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2014/11/early_prediction_on_lsus_final.html Pretty good article from Jimmy Smith on how he thinks the LSU class will finish.
He thinks LSU will flip five players from commitments to other schools. I think the chances of all five are low.
@bhelmLSU or @LSUDad are either of you hearing anything about LSU's chances of bringing Lorenzo Phillips back? He tore it up for East Mississippi CC this year, but I'm hearing from the guys in Patterson that Alabama is on him now.
He has reached out to LSU and we are entertaining the idea but not going all out at this time. We know we have to watch his grades still now and if he was ever to return because he didn't live up to his end when he was here before.
The Tillery kid, the OL, was once thought to be a long, long shot. Looks like Grimes might have LSU in better shape than most would have thought. Some are saying the LSU has a better then 50% chance to land him. Grimes has also been doing his work on another couple OL for this class and future years. Still a long way to go till signing day, but as always, things always seem to fall into place.
