Until yesterday I would have agreed with you. But with Barksdale and Davis, that along with Aubrey, Blackwell became less of a "need" in my eyes.
LSU current sits at 21 commits... Breaks down like this... Qb - 1 RB - 0 WR - 2 TE - 3 OL - 5 DE - 1 DT - 3 LB - 1 DB - 1 ATH - 2 K/P - 2 I see LSU taking 27-28, with 25 signing... Delvin Breaux, considering his injury, will be asked to take a greyshirt and really has no choice in the matter. I'd like to see one of the kickers take a greyshirt as well. Barksdale will be starting in a couple weeks, meaning he will count against last year's #'s. So, with 7 spots left, I see LSU taking: Joe McKnight RB Terrance Toliver WR Will Blackwell DT/DE Cameron Heyward DT Chad Jones SS Stefoin Francois FS/CB Jason Peters DE Keep in mind that its never a problem taking alot of DTs. You can alway move them to OL once they are here. I know LSU really wants Blackwell as an OL, but he doesnt want to move. Once he is here, if he doesnt crack the starting lineup, he will make the move. As far as Noel Devine goes, LSU could sign him so he can have an attachment to LSU when he goes to Hargrave. A year at Hargrave, plus a redshirt, puts available as a RSfresman when Williams, Scott, and Holiday are all juniors, so the timing works well.
I havent heard anything on Demetrius Byrd, he would be a huge commitment if we could get him. I remember a month or so ago and he was very high on LSU. Anyone have any news on Byrd?
I heard from some one in West Monroe last week that Blackwell is not leaning towards LSU. He has told this person that LSU is just to deep at DT and he does not want to play OL. His grandfather wanted him to sign at Notre Dame during their visit ($500,000 scholarship with a guarantee to get his undergraduate degree in 3 years and his masters in 2). Will said though that if it was signing day today he would go to Florida. Never know though. Just insight from a family friend.
That's a strong offer, IMO. Yes, ND's football team is SORELY over-rated...but if you're not going to LSU, that's a great school and reguardless of how oever rated they are, they still manage to be the talk of the town in the media's eyes .....
Hicks will be in BR for a visit on Jan 19. Hopefully he really likes the visit. Also coming in on that weekend will be Ron Brooks, Demetrius Byrd, Damien Berry, Rishaw Johnson, and Jatavious Jackson. I think our chances are very high to get Byrd. I think we have a decent chance with Brooks. Other than that Im not seeing any serious chances. Although I think if the coaches are skeptical of Jones or any OL not making the grades the coaches may make a hard play at Johnson.
I just read on Scout that Brooks may be leaning to LSU. I dont have all access, but the caption would lead to the allusion that he may be leaning. They said that the Louisiana players at the AA game were really talking up LSU to Brooks. Word of mouth is the best recruiting tool:thumb:
Blackwell is pretty high on us, but I don't think we're his favorite right now. His grandpa wanted him at ND, but his mom wanted him at LSU. Not sure if that has changed since I heard that from one of his friends. We're Byrd's top choice right now, but the coaches are waiting to see what his grades are like. If it looks like he'll qualify, I think we'll get him. Noel Devine, exciting & explosive, but I think he's much better suited for WVU's offense and don't see him coming here. He's very high on us though, so you never know what will happen. I doubt we're heavily recruiting John Brown or Heyward anymore with Barksdale's commitment. I do think we'll take one more D-end though, between Blackwell & Jason Peters. Also, don't forget that there are always suprise commitment as the end of recruiting comes around. I don't know who it would be, but somebody we aren't expecting... probably a LB. Stefoin Francois, Toliver, McKnight, & Chad Jones - I really think we'll get them all. Ron Brooks said that Francois & Luther Davis were both recruiting him to LSU at the AA game... odd that Francois would help LSU recruit if he didn't think he was coming here, huh? And I gotta say, I was unsure of his ability to drop back in coverage but he really impressed me in the AA game. Ron Brooks became good friends with them, so we may get him. Jarvis Jones was probably LSU's, but now that we've lost Searles I'm not sure. Don't forget about Baylor commit Lonnie Edwards who is visiting later this month though. I thought we could get Christian Scott until Texas entered the picture, now I'm really unsure. I think they may end up landing him. Dez Bryant remains high on LSU even though we haven't been recruiting him for a while. I don't think we'll sign & place him, but assuming he doesn't qualify his name may pop up again next year. Rashad Mason, a new WR that popped up, is high on us and is a great looking prospect but I don't know if we will have room for him.
