This guy is the complete opposite of Claiborne. Claiborne had a very skimpy offer list, while this guy has the offer list of a well-known national blue chip recruit, better than even Patrick Peterson's. He'll easily be at least a consensus 4-star if not a 5-star once they start updating their star rankings. Nobody with an offer list like this guy has stays a 3-star. And, he hasn't even played his senior year yet...
It'll be interesting to see how many more offers he picks up over the fall. Right now he has: Top-of-the-line programs: LSU, Florida State, Ohio State, Southern Cal SEC: LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Miss State, Kentucky ACC: FSU, Boston College, Duke, Maryland, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech Big Ten: Ohio State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue Big XII: West Virginia Pac: Southern Cal Big East: Louisville, Pitt, South Florida, Cincinnati, Rutgers
http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1520692 "He was more excited than me," Battle said of Miles. "He said he was grateful to have me and we're getting ready to do some big things at LSU and wants me to be a big part of that. He said let's go out there and win a national championship." The decision by Battle was carried live by South Florida High School Sports "I grew up being a big fan of LSU and dreaming about playing in Death Valley," said Battle, who punctuated his on-line decision with a purple and gold hat. "I get that feeling every time I think about LSU and walking out of the tunnel and looking up into the stadium. It doesn't get any better than Death Valley. It stayed in my heart and it's still there to this day so that's what I went with." "I'm locked in," Battle said. "I'm done." The road to reaching LSU began with a five- school summer tour nearly three weeks ago when Battle and his parents started with trips to LSU, Tennessee, Louisville, N.C. State and South Carolina. "I got home and did some deep thinking," Battle said. "I wanted to look at the school other than the football aspect and see if I could be there for four to five years. I loved the university, the coaches and the players and that's why I picked LSU." During the live on-line feed of his decision Battle described in glowing terms the relationship he's had with Raymond as a key element along with the feeling of comfort that exuded while around Miles. "I just have a great relationship with Coach Corey Raymond," Battle said. "We had some great times when we were up there. I spent a lot of time hanging out with Les Miles. He is a great coach and he has a drive to win. That is something I want to do and that's big boy football. It doesn't get any better than the SEC and I'm ready for it." Battle explained that in LSU's system he'll play what's termed a "hybrid" safety or someone with the ability to play the run but can also roll down and cover slot receivers. "I'm a hard hitter, somebody that can go up there and get the football," Battle said. "I'm somebody that can tackle, a rangy player who can get to each side of the field and a winner. I'm somebody that wants to win." Battle is also someone with a preference for being a two-sport athlete. He won his third straight district title in the 110 hurdles and wound up fifth at state, opening the door for a spot on LSU's track team in the spring. "That's what I want to do," said Battle, who has a personal best of 14.2 seconds in the hurdles race. "We talked about it and hadn't made a final decision. As of now it's looking really clear that I can." "When I was younger and started to get into watching college football I was a Miami fan," Battle said. "Then I became a Florida fan. Now I've become an LSU fan."
Sun-Sentinel (the largest-circulation newspaper in South Florida): http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/20...1_blanche-ely-patrick-peterson-maquedius-bain John Battle is keeping the pipeline between Broward County and Baton Rouge open. marks the fourth-straight signing class where LSU has had a Broward County prospect. Last year, University School defensive tackle Maquedius Bain and Blanche Ely cornerback Rashard Robinson signed with the tigers. In 2012, Ely wide receiver Avery Johnson signed with LSU, and Chaminade-Madonna's Jerrard Randall signed in 2011. The most famous Broward-to-LSU connection was Patrick Peterson, né Johnson, the former Ely cornerback who stared for the Tigers after signing in 2008. Peterson is a two-time Pro Bowler for the Arizona Cardinals. Battle called LSU "DBU" in his announcement, and that nickname isn't hyperbole. LSU currently has 13 defensive backs in the NFL .
