Before I get started, a quick note...If you're reading this through the e-mail blast that is sent out, you may want to click the link and read this one at the site. I've got quite a bit of video embedded in this update, and you won't be able to see it in your e-mail.
LSU secured their 25th commitment for the Class of 2010 on Monday when Parkiew Baptist punter Brad Wing decided to become a Tiger. Derek Helton will be a senior in 2010. So Wing can come in, redshirt, and then be the punter for four years. Wing is a left-footed punter that averaged 41.8 yards per punt this season with an incredible hang time that is between 4.6 and 4.8 seconds. Judging from his highlight film (posted below), he can really boom some punts and flip field position.
With Wing on board, LSU is running out of room in this class even though they still have several guys on the board. If history repeats itself, LSU will lose a couple of guys that are currently committed. So the staff is doing the right thing by continuing to recruit lots of players. Here's a position by position review of who is left on LSU's board:
RB
Alfred Blue's commitment gives LSU their second running back for this class (third if you consider fullback Brandon Worle). However, it appears that LSU would still like to sign one more running back.
The big prize in this class has been Lache Seastrunk. Larry Porter's departure most likely killed any chance LSU had of signing Seastrunk. New running backs coach Frank Wilson will certainly try to get Lache on board, but it's a bleak picture right now. So who is next in line after Lache?
Miami's Jahkori Gore seems to be the most likely to end up an LSU Tiger. LSU coaches are scheduled to meet with Gore sometime this week, and I woudn't be surprised if Gore committed to the staff at that point. Here are some highlights of Gore:
LSU is also now looking at Capitol High's Frankie Jackson. Jackson has enjoyed a ridiculously successful senior season which has captured the attention of LSU's staff. Jackson is built similar to Gore in that he's 5'9" 185 pounds. His only offer from a big school is from Arizona State. I prefer Gore to Jackson personally and think Jackson is a fall back option in case something happens with Gore.
WR
The wide receiver position is very much in the air at this point. Rumors consistently swirl regarding both guys currently committed to LSU. Virginia Beach prospect Justin Hunter recently took a visit to Tennessee, but he still seems solid to the Tigers at this point. Dallas prospect Mike Davis had a phenomenal senior season He had 48 receptions for 1,157 yards and 19 touchdowns. He averaged an insanely good 24 yards per catch. There is a LOT of smoke that the Texas Longhorns are now after Davis and if that proves to be true, it will be very difficult for LSU to hold onto him. Davis is rumored to be visiting Texas this weekend. We'll see what happens.
It will be interesting to see if the hiring of Frank Wilson and potential hiring of Tyke Tolbert will have any impact on Thibodaux wide receiver Trovon Reed. I suspect that it might.
LSU continues to pursue Belle Chase prospect James Wright as well as Shreveport athlete Jarrett Fobbs. Some of LSU's coaches recently met with Fobbs, who is currently a Texas A&M commitment. I really, really like Wright and think he'll be great in college.
LSU recently paid a visit to Georgia prospect Nai-ler Jones who is a Notre Dame commitment. With the coaching change at Notre Dame, LSU was checking to see if Jones may be reconsidering his commitment. It doesn't appear that he is, but it's something to keep an eye on.
Ideally, LSU will keep the two guys they currently have and two more out of Reed, Wright, and Fobbs.
Here is some film of Wright:
And here is some of Fobbs:
OL
Mississippi offensive tackle Damien Robinson is the only guy left on LSU's board right now. James Stone recently eliminated LSU from consideration.
DE
LSU is clearly after another defensive end for this class. 5-star Virginia prospect JR Ferguson continues to be a very real possibility for LSU. He visited LSU a few weeks ago and still has other visits planned. We'll have to see how his other visits stack up to his experience a LSU. He's going to visit Cal and Notre Dame, while considering North Carolina and Miami. LSU has a very real chance here.
This past weekend, LSU hosted big-time Florida prospect Corey Lemonier, who had a great trip and rated the trip a "10". The 6'5" 225 pound pass rusher is also strongly considering Auburn, Illinois, and Tennessee. After watching his film, I'm very impressed. I think he's a better true defensive end prospect than Ferguson, who I think may ultimately end up at defensive tackle. Lemonier is on most national Top 100 lists. Here is some film on Lemonier:
LSU is still after Kansas prospect Geneo Grissom, who is a commitment to Kansas. LSU offered Grissom last month, but he seemed fairly firm to the Jayhawks. With Kansas coach Mark Mangino resigning last week, Grissom may be more open to taking a visit to LSU.
LSU also offered Texas defensive end Nathan Hughes who has seen his stock rise considerably recently after being relatively unknown a few months ago. The 6'5" 245 pound prospect has had a great senior season and now holds offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State in addition to LSU.
DT
I think LSU is likely done at defensive tackle for this class. However, it should be noted that Lake Charles prospect Rissean Broussard, a Tennessee commitment, has close ties to new LSU assistant Frank Wilson. Wilson was the main reason Broussard was committed to Tennessee. Something may develop on LSU's end now that Wilson is in purple and gold. Regardless, Broussard reportedly still has several academic hurdles to overcome before he can play college football.
LB
LSU still seems to be after a few linebackers. They continue to recruit Ladarious Owens even though Owens is a firm commitment to Auburn. Owens has a good relationship with John Chavis, and he may visit LSU. If he visits, you never know what could happen.
South Carolina's Justin Parker continues to mention LSU as one of his favorites, along with Clemson and South Carolina. The odds are that Parker will stay in-state to play college football, but if he decides to go elsewhere, LSU seems to have a leg up on everyone else. Parker looks REAL good on film, and I'm excited about the possibility of LSU landing him. Parker is 6'3" 230 pounds and looks like a natural.
Brother Martin linebacker Pat Swilling Jr. (yes THAT Pat Swilling) is getting a bit of attention from LSU recently after having a very quiet recruitment thus far. We ha ven't heard much about Swilling since he was considering playing basketball in college instead of football, but he's apparently now looking at football. Swilling is 6'2" 215 pounds and has been playing cornerback and safety in high school. He has offers from Georgia Tech and Ole Miss.
CB
John Curtis cornerback Jonathon McKnight continues to mention LSU as a possibility. I think LSU has legitimate interest in McKnight, but that he's way down the list of priorities. I'm not crazy about what happened with McKnight's older brother, but he does look like a solid cornerback prospect.
It's also interesting to note that Louisiana speedster Curtis Carter de-committed from Nebraska. Carter has concerns about how he would be used in their offense, and it sounds like he's very interested in Missouri. Carter is #9 on my rankings of Louisiana's players this year.
COACHING RUMORS
The most interesting rumor of the day involves Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt being a serious candidate for the Kansas job. The Kansas City Star reports that Nutt has already spoken with Kansas. This could be an interesting development, and it's one that I'll keep a close eye on.
0 comments:
Post a Comment