http://lsu.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=712781 Link to Article. http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=65952&Sport=1 Carl Moore quote: "I think of myself as an SEC-style receiver because I'm really physical and bigger like a lot of their receivers," Moore said. "There is a good chance I'll end up somewhere in that conference, but it's not a sure-thing." With a statement like that, it's no surprise to see LSU and Florida have official visits lined up with him. He also has scholarship offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Cal, Nebraska, Oregon State, Tennessee, Washington and several others. http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=60686&Sport=1 Justin Thompson checks in at No. 5. Thompson is a soft commitment to Miami, but Hyde said there's a strong chance that he'll now end up at either Cal, LSU or Nebraska. http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=60685&Sport=1 Corey Surrency Wide receiver Corey Surrency told TigerBait.com last month that he planned on taking trips to LSU and Florida State. He now has both dates set for his official visits to those schools, and it's looking more and more like he will play his college football in Baton Rouge or Tallahassee.
LSU has a good shot at all of these guys, but it's still really unclear at this point whether we want a JUCO guy or not.
If we really are looking at JUCO wide receivers, the coaching staff must be REALLY disappointed in the progress of the 2006 wide receiver class. Those are the guys who should be stepping up their production in 2008 and 2009. Getting JUCO guys in for those years just makes me think we're not sure the Mitchells or Ricky Dixon have what it takes.
We're looking at them, but we haven't persued them very hard to try & get a commitment. Don't forget that we took a JUCO WR last year. To date, he has 2 catches. It depends on how good we feel about out other recruits this year, and how much the young WRs on the roster develop through the year. It's pretty obvious to me that the Mitchells have a long way to go, and that Dixon isn't ever going to get meaningful PT here.
So bascially our highly rated WR class of 2006 is looking like a bust? Man, that sucks. Talk about a huge miss. Werent all those guys 4 and 5 star recruits? Taking Juco's is usually on a "must have" basis. If our 2006 receiving class isnt going to pan out it looks like we may need at least one of these juco's and maybe the reason we took one last year.
The Mitchells and Ricky Dixon were all 4-star recruits. It's just my theory that they aren't progressing as hoped. Dixon hasn't even seen the field yet. The Mitchells have about 6 catches between them. Next year, these guys are going to be juniors (with Dixon as a redshirt sophomore). If they're not ready to contribute at that point, they never will be. My theory is basically this: 1) There's no reason to get a JUCO guy unless the 2006 class is not good enough to be key contributors. 2) Les Miles and company are smart enough to realize #1. 3) Therefore, if we're serious about a JUCO wide receiver, the 2006 class must not be working out very well.
We only signed 3 WR in 2006, Ricky is the only guy not in the WR rotation at this time. 2007 DeAngelo Benton had grade issues, and that was a guy we were counting on to step up...i.e. the Byrd signing. I don't see a negative in the recruiting of a JUCO player. If we can add a 4 or 5 star JUCO WR or DT to our team, we shouldn't hesitate. We all know that LSU has built its rep the last few years on having Very strong backup players. Nothing dominates a game an or season, like having great depth at all positions.
Confirms what I have said before. It is nice to recruit 4 and 5 star prospects, but don't put a lot of faith in the star ratings. The proof of the pudding is what they do on the field. Many a time a 2 star athlete ends up making a greater contribution than his higher ranked comrades.
I'm not so sure the Mitchells do not have what it takes. We've started off the season with an SEC opponent on the road (the fact it was State notwithstanding), and then hosted a top ten team (their defense obviously the strength) at home. So it wasn't like they were going to be the focal point of the offense either game, and really the game wasn't so in doubt that we put in our backups until the fourth quarter in each contest. Then you have to work in Terrance Toliver into the rotation, because he's simply got the skill set to benefit this team right now during this season. Also, Byrd got some valuable reps as well. Being a former JUCO guy means he's likely further along at this point as well. So not until this week when we should handle Middle Tennessee (not to take them lightly, it's simply the reality of our quality talent versus their own) will we likely get to see the Mitchells in some valuable playing time. I'm eager to see how they develop over the course of the season. If they don't, then as previously mentioned we probably are going to seriously consider a JUCO guy. I'm pulling for them all. Would be nice to see Ricky Dixon make some form of an appearance with RP tossing him passes. It's great the season is finally here. Just my two cents. Brian ~Go Tigers!~
Actually, the Mitchells are 3rd string so they arent really in the rotation unless its blowout time. In 2005 we signed 2 WR's, Lafell and athlete turned WR RJ Jackson. In 2006 we signed the three 4 star's being discussed and none of them are in the 2 deep rotation yet. 5 WR's signed in 05 & 06 and only 1 contributing on first or second string. I dont see it is a problem as much as an opportunity for a really good juco or highly rated guy to come in this year. It does look like we missed a little on the 05 & 06 receiving class although 05 was our small class and we got Lafell there which makes up for a lot of misses.
