Huge Recruiting Week Ahead; LSU hosts 2nd Summer Camp

RECRUITING

LSU is set to host a large group of visitors this weekend and an even bigger group of prospects early next week for their second camp of the summer. While people pay the most attention to recruiting in December and January, it's the relationships that are built early in the process that ultimately determine who signs with LSU in February. This weekend and the following camp will play a huge role in influencing these relationships.

A lot of reports are floating around out there and some of them are conflicting. But I'll try to give a good summary of who is visiting and I'll give a quick blurb on each guy.

A number of LSU Commitments will be taking part in the weekend and week's festivities:

S/ATH Sam Gibson, OL Cameron Fordham, and DB Ronnie Vinson will be in attendance.

LB/DE Houston Bates, TE Nick Jacobs, and WR Justin Hunter may show their faces as well.

Most of the news coming out of this weekend will surround those who are not committed to LSU:

OL Elliott Porter Shaw HS - Porter has offers as a defensive tackle from schools such as Florida State, Mississippi State, and Nebraska; however, he seems to be on the verge to becoming an LSU Commitment as an offensive guard. Reading between the lines of many of his recent updates, I'd be surprised if Porter was not an LSU Commitment by this time next week.

ATH Curtis Carter North DeSoto HS - Carter may be the fastest prospect in the state of Louisiana this year. He has serious speed and reportedly recorded a laser timed 4.37 in the 40 recently. Carter is being recruited as a wide receiver, though he may eventually end up at defensive back one day. He has made it clear that he's coming to LSU's camp with the purpose of earning an offer, and the consensus seems to be that he'll get one. If/when LSU offers, I don't expect it to be too long until Carter is a commitment.

WR Trovon Reed Thibodaux HS - Reed is the source of many recruiting rumors, mostly due to his close friendship with Texas RB Lache Seastrunk, who has been favoring Auburn recently. But Reed will be in Baton Rouge this weekend, spending more time with LSU's coaches and building a comfort level. Reed has shown that he's going to look around, but I strongly feel he'll sign with LSU in the end. Looking at his actions, he visits LSU often and this visit will be no different as he's passing up a big event at Auburn to be in Baton Rouge once again.

RB Lache Seastrunk Temple, TX - Seastrunk has been singing the tune of Auburn over the last few months; however, he's not attending their big event this weekend. And as of now, he's scheduled to be at LSU with his good friend Trovon Reed. If he does indeed visit LSU (and not Auburn), then that would obviously be a great sign for the Tigers...those of the Bayou variety. Despite the drama and numerous rumors that surround Lache's recruitment each day, LSU is putting on the hard hat and just continuing to recruit him hard. His recruitment will almost certainly be filled with plenty of twists and turns before signing day.

Tony Hurd CB Missouri City, TX - Hurd has made no secret that an LSU offer is what he covets. He attended LSU's camp in June but aggravated an old injury. He left without an offer and with LSU's staff saying they wanted to evaluate him when he was 100%. So now Hurd returns in hopes of impressing the staff and earning that offer. Most seem to think, and I agree, that Hurd isn't at the top of LSU's list at the cornerback position and that he'll probably leave without an offer once again. If Hurd was 2 or 3 inches taller, he'd probably be considered an elite recruit, but most coaches don't swoon over 5'9" cornerbacks. The kid is a serious football player, but I'm not sure he's in the plans.

Shaun Lewis LB Missouri City, TX - Lewis may be the top linebacker remaining on LSU's board. However, his fate may be tied to that of his good friend, Tony Hurd. The two seem pretty intent on playing together in college. And while Lewis seems to favor LSU, his tune may change if Hurd doesn't receive an offer soon. Lewis also camped at LSU in June, and he already has an LSU offer.

Jordan Allen DE West Monroe HS - Allen is widely considered to be a strong LSU lean. In all likelihood, it's just a matter of time until Allen commits to LSU. Regardless, the blue-chipper will be in Baton Rouge this weekend for a visit, though he won't be working out at camp.

Dontae Williams RB Houston, TX - Williams is a very impressive back on film. He reminds me a LOT of Joseph Addai coming out of high school. He's very quick, runs hard, and catches the ball well out of the backfield. However, his offer list doesn't match my evaluation of him with his most impressive offers being Arkansas, Cal, and Purdue. Academics may be a reason why he's not getting more attention, but I don't know that. He recently impressed at a camp at USC, and he hopes to do so again in Baton Rouge and earn an offer. He has repeatedly said that LSU is one of his favorite schools.

Nick Parker RB Batesville MS - Parker is a big back who currently holds an LSU offer. He also has offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Tennessee. He is 6'2" 210 pounds and runs like a fullback/tailback hybrid. He's very tough. Parker states that LSU is his leader, and depending on whether LSU would accept it, he could be a commitment soon.

ATH Jarrett Fobbs Huntington Shreveport - There's a few conflicting reports, but Fobbs may be a visitor at LSU for camp. Readers of this blog know that I'm a big fan of Fobbs. He holds an LSU offer but to this point, that offer was a defensive back. Fobbs is adamant about playing offense in college and recently committed to Texas A&M. Will Fobbs be willing to consider defense? Will LSU consider him as a receiver? The fact that he may be visiting tells me that he's still interested in LSU and that leaves the door open a bit. We'll see what transpires.

DE Anthony Williams GA - Williams will be in attendance, and he holds offers from Auburn, Florida State, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, and others...including LSU. We haven't heard much regarding Williams but we'll see if anything happens at camp.

CB Tyrann Matthieu St Augustine HS - Matthieu hasn't received a ton of recruiting attention, but he impressed a lot of coaches and scouts at Tennessee's camp last month. However, that performance did not result in an offer from the Vols. He's hoping to impress again in Baton Rouge.

A trio of John Curtis high school prospects will be at camp, though all of them are on LSU's backburner. Offensive lineman Luke Charpentier, defensive lineman Walker Ashburn, and cornerback Jonathon McKnight will all work out.

A number of other prospects may be on hand, though the info isn't totally solid that they'll be in town. Memphis, TN linebacker Jonathon Brown, Junction City, AR defensive tackle Byran Jones, Hahnville high school running back Alfred Blue, Mississippi wide receiver Robert Johnson, and Lake Charles defensive tackle Rissean Broussard all fall into that category. Broussard is a Tennessee commitment right now.

One of the more interesting possibilities is that 5-star Florida linebacker Jeff Luc may be attending. LSU is recruiting Luc, along with every team in the nation, but the Tigers are not thought to be a serious contender for him. Perhaps a great visit and a tour of the facilities may give him something to think about regarding LSU. It's not likely, but it's worth noting when a prospect of Luc's caliber is on campus (possibly).

Later this week, Georgia linebacker Telvin Smith visited LSU, and now lists LSU as even with Georgia and Florida State. Smith has an LSU offer.

Looking way ahead to the Class of 2011, a lot of elite juniors to be will also be in attendance. The guys detailed in a recent posting will all be attending. In addition, these players are expected to be there:

Ryan Byrd S St Helena Central HS - Byrd looks like a guy that could be an SEC level recruit. I've seen some early film, and he's a playmaker. He's got good size at 6'2" and the frame to add good weight.


Cedric Reed DE Cleveland, TX - Reed projects to be a big-time prospect next year and possibly one of the best prospects in the state of Texas. He's currently 6'6" 235 pounds.

Sedrick Flowers OL Galena Park, TX - Flowers looks like the best offensive line prospect in Texas next year and one of the best in the nation.

By the time you read this, some of this news may have changed. I'll try to update this blog as news breaks. And for those signed up for the Twitter feature, I'll be able to update you as soon as I know.