With the recruiting season coming to an end Ive been wondering the strategy of the LSU coaching staff? We have tons of big time talent looking at LSU with only 6-7 scholarships left. I wonder if we may have to turn down players because they decided to commit too late or if there are ways around that? Top players who are still considering and or visiting who are high on the LSU want list include: McKnight, Jones, Toliver, Devine, Barksdale, Thompson, Blackwell, Davis, Francois, Berry, Paul, Brooks, Peters, Scott, and Heyward. Probably missing one or two. All are major recruits. Is it a first come first serve thing? Either way we are risking to lose major talent.
A few of them are probably silent commits, so the coaching staff has a better feel for who we will or will not get. Toliver, Barksdale, McKnight, Francois & Davis all already know where they want to go. After them, it is likely first come first serve. When you recruit as well as we do, you are going to lose out on some talented players because you just don't always have room for them.
I really enjoy your posts on recruiting. Much appreciated. I was thinking the same, that Toliver, Barksdale, McKnight, Francois, and Davis were all pretty much silent commits. I think we also have Jones too. I dont think USC can sway McKnight or Jones. Out of the rest I hope we can get Thompson, but I think he comes if Berry does. Scott, Brooks, and Paul would also help fill need spots. Im thinking Toliver, Barksdale, Davis, and Francois may all officially commit for the AA game. Barksdale will for sure. This might be the best class LSU has ever had! Great job by Miles and co.
Don't forget Devine. I know he seems like a longshot but he's said tons of times that he wants to get out of the state of Florida and the three schools at the top of his list are FSU, Florida, and us. So we actually have a decent chance to get him.
Devine will most likely go to a JUCO. I doubt he will end up at LSU. For one thing his grades. Plus he knows West Va is the better fit for his style of running.
If Toliver commits, I think we can say goodbye to Ron Brooks... But will we get one more WR after Toliver? We'll have to watch & see. Jarvis Jones & Lonnie Edwards are 2 guys that we both really want. Jones has commited but his mom doesn't like it. Lonnie may be a backup plan to him, or it may be in case McCoy doesn't look like he'll qualify. Christian Scott is a guy that the coaches are just holding out on I think. I doubt they have a feeling about what will happen with him right now, so if he commits I guess you greyshirt somebody to make room. Thompson & Berry are both a long shot IMO, but they are probably also the type of player you just make room for - as is Marvin Austin. I haven't heard anything on Brandon Paul in a while, not sure if we're still recruiting him since we've gotten Phelon. If (when) Barksdale announces LSU, I imagine that Heyward will find somewhere else to go. Will Blackwell & Jason Peters are two guys I'm interested to see what happens with. I think one of them will end up waiting to long & missing out.
From what Ive been reading the OSU board was pretty much conceding that Barksdale is a LSU commit. I also read that OSU will now be going after Heyward. I was concerned about Jones, but he says he is fully commited to LSU. Claiming his mom just wanted him to look into Oklahoma and another school, I forgot. Hopefully he keeps his word. Another possibility may be Rishaw Johnson. He is coming in sometimes this month for a visit. I mentioned Paul because he too is coming in for a visit. He only visited Auburn thus far. So Id imagine that LSU is a favorite of his. Im not too sure about Scott. I think we take him over Oklahoma, but Texas is now starting to make a hard push for him. As for Brooks, I think we have a good shot. Even with Toliver, Brooks is still a welcomed player. I know we have a lot of WRs between this year and last year. Besides Doucet none has proven anything. LaFell has done well with very limited playing time though. I too wonder about Blackwell and Peters. Blackwell has said he wants to name a school by the middle of the month. Peters isnt visiting until the latter part of the month. So he may be out of luck. Im sure the coaches will hold out spaces for McKnight and Jones. Like you mentioned in the other thread, Saban is now gonna make a play for them. I really dont see them going to Bama, and hopefully it doesnt happen.
I wasn't aware that he was coming in for a visit. He may be one of those guys that kind of suprise rivals/scout subsccribers just because they haven't talked about him much. The problem is that we want Brooks as a CB, but he wants to play WR.
Good take! :thumb: If we have 6-7 spots left, I'm thinking: 1. Barksdale 2. McKnight 3. Francois 4. Davis 5. Toliver 6. Chad Jones
Scout has Brandon Paul scheduled for an official visit on Jan 26. This will be another HUGE weekend. Also scheduled on that day are: McKnight, Jones, Peters, and WR Rashad Mason. I havent heard of Mason, but he is a big receiver at 6'5" 225 and runs a 4.5. He is also reported as having a 40 inch vertical. Only negative, his grades dont look too good. I didnt know we were wanting Brooks to play CB. That may take convincing then. I think next year LSU will have to go after some big time LBs. I know we have Odem, Cutrera, Riley, and Sheppard from last year. Cutrera and Riley did look pretty good with limited playing time. Plus we got Riddley this year. I wonder if Riddley and Odem will be able to fill out enough to play LB. Id imagine that Shomari Clemons from last year may move to LB, if he remains with the team. If Jones commits as expected, he may eventually fill out into a LB.
