2022 LSU Football Commitments

[LSUDad]

College football recruiting: Top 20 prospects in Louisiana for 2022 class

By CHANCE LINTON12 hrs

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Wiltfong Whiparound: Blue-chippers to know and teams to watch ahead of the Early Signing Period

 

 

 

 

The 2022 recruiting cycle is heating up with the Early Signing Period coming up this week. With that in mind, we have decided to check in on the top recruits in the state of Louisiana.

According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Louisiana is home to two five-star prospects and 13 four-star prospects in the 2022 class. That group includes eight players ranked among the top 100 nationally.

Eleven of the top 20 prospects in the state have already announced their respective commitments, while the remaining nine are still undecided on where they will play in college. LSU leads the way with five commits among that group, followed by Alabama with two, while Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M each have one.

 

The 2022 crop of Louisiana prospects is heavy on skill talent, with one quarterback, four running backs and three wide receivers ranking among the top 20 players in the state, along with two offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, one edge defender, one linebacker, two cornerbacks, one safety and one player listed as an athlete.

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With that in mind, scroll down to take a look at the top 20 prospects in Louisiana for the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite.

 

1) Will Campbell | OT | Neville (Monroe)

 

(Photo: Billy Embody, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 5-star | 0.9840 | No. 32 Overall | No. 5 OT
Recruitment status: Committed to LSU
Measurables: 6-6 | 300
Player evaluation: Tall with above average length. Wears his mass well and owns terrific frame potential. Active feet set up contact and foster drive-blocking effectiveness. Flashes some nasty as a block-finisher and will take targets to the ground if possible. Displays encouraging movement ability in space that reflects in second-level efficiency. Reaches those second-level targets with relative ease. Combines functional mobility and strength as consistently effective reach-blocker. Arriving impact improved as a junior and also showed in flashes at point of attack. Owns a high ceiling as a pass-blocker thanks to frame and above-average foot quickness. Generally does not allow naturally high center of gravity negatively affect pad level and leverage. Consistency as a puncher can still improve. Also can trust his frame/reach more in initial extension, especially in pass pro. Looks to be among the top 2022 offensive tackle prospects. Projects to high-major level with long-term potential to reach the early rounds of the NFL Draft. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 2-3 Round (Day 2)
Player comparison: Liam Eichenberg | OT | Miami Dolphins

 

 

2) Walker Howard | QB | St. Thomas More (Lafayette)

 

(Photo: Elite 11)

247Sports Composite: 5-star | 0.9836 | No. 34 Overall | No. 5 QB
Recruitment status: Committed to LSU
Measurables: 6-1 | 195
Player evaluation: Adequate frame with lean build that should add some mass in college. Established a following as an elite camp performer early in high school career before taking over varsity starting duties. Has posted encouraging testing numbers early in career (4.76 40, 4.40 shuttle). Consistent, accurate passer to all levels. Steps into throws and gets great zip on balls to the short-to-intermediate range. Posted stellar production in breakout junior campaign. Threw a lot of reps while also valuing the ball, as evidenced by only one INT per 63 pass attempts (five in 316 throws). Not a true dual-threat but functionally mobile with ability to extend plays outside the pocket. Remains accurate on the move. Squares shoulders and fires even when on the run. Plenty of arm strength but still probably some juice to squeeze out at the top end, which should come with add physical mass/strength. Typically stays on top of the ball but will have one sail a bit every once in a while. Possesses a good QB pedigree. Seems quite polished relative to age and could be a particularly high-floor QB at the next level. Projects to high-major competition with long-term NFL Draft potential. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 2-3 Round (Day 2)

 

 

3) Jacoby Mathews | S | Ponchatoula

 

(Photo: Nick Harris, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9830 | No. 36 Overall | No. 4 S
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 61.1% | Texas A&M 38.9%
Measurables: 6-2 | 193
Player evaluation: A big-framed athlete that looks more like a linebacker than he does a safety. Has spent the past couple of years doing a little bit of everything on Friday nights. Can get the job done as a run-first quarterback at the high school level, but future is on the defensive side of the ball. Changes directions extremely well for a player that could eventually carry 215 pounds or more. Fluid in the lower half and is able to open his hips and run. Takes sharp angles in coverage and has shown on tape that he can get to the deepest parts of the field when needed. Quick to read and diagnose. Aggressive when the ball is in the air and will use his core strength to outmuscle receivers. Didn’t get a ton of reps in the secondary as a junior due to offensive workload, but plays with a physical appetite and will try to lower his shoulder pads before running through a target. Tested well the winter before senior season posting strong numbers in both the vertical and broad jumps. Uses those explosive muscle fibers to throw down dunks on the hardwood. Could settle in as a big safety in college, but tweener body type suggests that he might ultimately be utilized as more of a box player. Will need to keep improving his craft over the next few years, but viewed by multiple college contacts as a future NFL player given how he moves. Should eventually start at the Power 5 level and could see meaningful snaps early on in his career as his skillset is conducive to slowing down up-tempo spread offenses. – 247Sports Southeast Recruiting Analyst Andrew Ivins
NFL Draft projection: 2-3 Round (Day 2)
Player comparison: Ronnie Harrison | S | Cleveland Browns

 

4) Shazz Preston | WR | St. James

 

(Photo: Mike Roach, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9788 | No. 43 Overall | No. 3 WR
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 100%
Measurables: 6-0 | 190
Player evaluation: Adequate frame with lean build that will need to fill out. Can play outside or in the slot. Big production as a sophomore for Louisiana 3A state championship team. Flashes outstanding mid-air adjustment ability. Consistent high-pointer when required. Bona fide ball-winner who can go get it in traffic. Finds open space in short-to-intermediate game. Shows impressive run-after-catch ability. Speed-builder with good top end. Encouraging verified testing as a freshman (4.61 40). Competes in track and field (200 meters, long jump). Can improve hands-catching consistency. Initial burst can get better to maximize route-running ability and get on top of DB's quicker in the vertical game. Elite wideout prospect among the best players in Louisiana for 2022. Bona fide high-major receiver prospect with long-term early-round NFL Draft potential. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 2-3 Round (Day 2)
Player comparison: Tylan Wallace | WR | Baltimore Ravens

 

5) Le'Veon Moss | RB | Istrouma (Baton Rouge)

 

(Photo: Istrouma Football)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9647 | No. 85 Overall | No. 6 RB
Recruitment status: Committed to Texas A&M
Measurables: 6-0 | 190
Player evaluation: Good-sized back with frame to add more mass. Will arrive with virtually college-ready size. Good natural athlete with movement pattern violence and suddenness simultaneously. Runs hard. Shows above average contact balance and gains a lot of yards after contact. Hole puncher who accelerates in a hurry. Explosive out of cuts and does not need to gear down much when redirecting. Good top-end field speed fosters home run ability. Speed verified in a track setting with 100-meter times of 10.84 and 10.92. Also tested in the 4.6's and 4.5's early in high school career. Improved body lean over high school career, but still runs upright at times and can better shrink his target. Understandably trusts speed but will need to curtail bounce frequency vs. P5 defenses. Limited pass-catching reps. Projects to the high-major level as one of the top backs in the country for the 2022 class. Potential difference maker with an NFL Draft early-round ceiling. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 2-3 Round (Day 2)
Player comparison: Travis Etienne | RB | Jacksonville Jaguars

 

6) Kendrick Law | ATH | Captain Shreve (Shreveport)

 

(Photo: Mike Roach, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9642 | No. 87 Overall | No. 3 ATH
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 70% | Alabama 30%
Measurables: 5-11 | 195

7) Quency Wiggins | DL | Madison Prep (Baton Rouge)

 

(Photo: @Quencywiggins)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9625 | No. 92 Overall | No. 15 DL
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 100%
Measurables: 6-6 | 274

 

 Aaron Anderson | WR | Edna Karr (New Orleans)

 

(Photo: Blair Angulo, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9615 | No. 96 Overall | No. 14 WR
Recruitment status: Committed to Alabama
Measurables: 5-9 | 185

9) Laterrance Welch | CB | Acadiana (Lafayette)

 

(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9534 | No. 112 Overall | No. 16 CB
Recruitment status: Committed to LSU
Measurables: 6-1 | 180

 

10) TreVonte' Citizen | RB | Lake Charles College Prep

 

(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9533 | No. 113 Overall | No. 9 RB
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 100%
Measurables: 6-0 | 217
Player evaluation: Good build relative to the running back position. Owns college-ready size so lack of length is not much of a concern in regards to frame potential. Plays both ways as a running back and linebacker and produces solid numbers in each capacity. Profile would be great as an off-ball linebacker but physical tools definitely lean running back in the long term. Shows impressive initial burst. Accelerates naturally with urgency. At his best as a linear slasher or in one-cut situations. Runs hard and finishes runs. Generally runs with good pad level and leverage. Displays enough top-end play speed to provide a big-play threat. Also runs track. Personal bests are 11.31 in the 100 and 22.19 in the 200, the latter of which suggests good top-end speed in particular. Not a dart-and-dodge back, but shows enough close-quarters athleticism to make the first defender miss. Gears down to change direction. Can improve inconsistencies in contact balance. Track data adds context, but is limited and does not accompany any verified combine testing. Lacks desired pass-catching opportunities to this point. Limited production because of measured approach to carries, mostly as a result of two-way participation. On the bright side, enters college with very low mileage relative to the vast majority of running backs. Pure football player who projects to the Power Five level at running back with potential to become an impact starter. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 4-7 Round (Day 3)

 

11) J'mond Tapp | EDGE | Ascension Catholic (Donaldsonville)

 

(Photo: Nick Harris, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9456 | No. 127 Overall | No. 10 EDGE
Recruitment status: Committed to Texas
Measurables: 6-3 | 245
Player evaluation: Adequate height with above average length. Stout build that still owns space for added mass. Play strength is obvious on tape. Displays disengaging ability thanks to phone booth power and sheer brute strength. Above average pursuit ability relative to size and role. Could potentially grow into an interior spot, but reach and two-point burst from the edge could put him in space for good as a hybrid defender. Quickness off the ball noticeably better from a two-point stance than three- or four-point. Varied athletic profile that includes two-way participation with snaps at tight end and the backfield. Plays basketball and throws the shot put, plus limited 200- and 400-meter opportunities. Will need to work on bending better and playing low to aid leverage. Naturally disruptive but can add technical nuance and hand violence at the point of attack. Better fluidity through the core will enhance redirecting ability and pass-rushing effectiveness, especially when aligned on the edge. Projects to the high-major level as a potential impact player who fits multiple spots in varying personnel looks. Long-term ceiling could lead to NFL Draft candidacy. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 4-7 Round (Day 3)
Player comparison: Jermauria Rasco | EDGE | Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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12) Emery Jones | IOL | Catholic (Baton Rouge)

 

(Photo: Hudl)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9399 | No. 150 Overall | No. 8 IOL
Recruitment status: Committed to LSU
Measurables: 6-4 | 341

13) Austin Ausberry | CB | University Lab (Baton Rouge)

 

(Photo: Parker Thune, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 4-star | 0.9288 | No. 177 Overall | No. 22 CB
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 100%
Measurables: 6-0 | 195

 

16) Tygee Hill | DL | Edna Karr (New Orleans)

 

(Photo: @tygeezus)

247Sports Composite: 3-star | 0.8858 | No. 421 Overall | No. 58 DL
Recruitment status: Committed to LSU
Measurables: 6-2 | 280
Player evaluation: Stout interior defensive lineman with a bit more length than may be obvious to the naked eye. Should easily reach 300-pound mark if desired. As high school career has progressed, more of a strength-oriented defender than a disruptive, attacking presence. Plays with good leverage and displays encouraging stack-and-shed ability vs. the run. Strong enough to take on blocks and still make a play. Shows above average linear pursuit ability relative to size. Presents value in likelihood of being able to find a comfortable role in multiple fronts. Adequate get-off quickness but can improve explosion consistency in that area. Shows bull-rushing ability but will need to expand move set. Has a hitch when redirecting and testing reflects the need to improve fluidity and lateral range. Power Five-caliber defensive tackle who may best fit a four-man look but owns the frame space and strength-oriented play style to fit a three-man front. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
Projection: Power 5 Starter

 

17) Decoldest Crawford | WR | Green Oaks (Shreveport)

 

(Photo: 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 3-star | 0.8851 | No. 425 Overall | No. 62 WR
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: LSU 100%
Measurables: 6-1 | 178

18) Javae Gilmore | LB | Amite

 

(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 3-star | 0.8850 | No. 430 Overall | No. 41 LB
Recruitment status: Committed to Mississippi State
Measurables: 6-4 | 200

 

19) Dylan Sampson | RB | Dutchtown (Geismar)

 

(Photo: @dylans21527)

247Sports Composite: 3-star | 0.8842 | No. 445 Overall | No. 34 RB
Recruitment status: Committed to Tennessee
Measurables: 5-9 | 180

20) Maxie Baudoin IV | DL | Ascension Episcopal (Youngsville)

 

247Sports Composite: 3-star | 0.8839 | No. 447 Overall | No. 61 DL
Recruitment status: Undecided
247Sports Crystal Ball: Auburn 100%
Measurables: 6-3 | 290

[LSUDad]

Starting to fall! 
 

 

Best of luck. 

[LSUDad]

Keep an eye on the TE position. 

[Hatchertiger]

 

[LSUDad]

1 hour ago, Hatchertiger said:

 

LSU Successfully Flips In State Receiver Landon Ibieta

Ibieta will sign on Wednesday with in state Tigers, becomes 11th commit of Tigers 2022 class

ZACK NAGY

The Tigers have flipped former Miami commit and Mandeville wide receiver, Landon Ibieta, he announced Tuesday evening. 

The 6-foot, 185-pound wide out is coming off of an incredible summer leading into his breakout senior year. He is expected to sign Wednesday with the Tigers.

Ibieta becomes LSU’s 11th commit in the 2022 class as the early signing period starts with the Tigers hoping to secure even more talent as the day moves on. His talent adds to a pool of wide receivers LSU has in their arsenal, looking to make a name for himself day one. 

After earning an offer from his “dream school,” Ibieta wasted no time in making the switch from Miami. Brian Kelly clearly has his sights set on keeping Louisiana talent close to home and Ibieta is certainly one the Tigers were hoping to land.

[Herb]

What kills me is that Orgeron and his staff didn't even offer a bunch of in-state 3 and 4 star recruits. It's like Eaux gave lip service to "continuing to recruit for LSU" but in actuality didn't GAF once it was announced LSU would part ways with him.

This kid should have gotten an offer at the beginning of the football season.

[LSUDad]

1 hour ago, Herb said:

What kills me is that Orgeron and his staff didn't even offer a bunch of in-state 3 and 4 star recruits. It's like Eaux gave lip service to "continuing to recruit for LSU" but in actuality didn't GAF once it was announced LSU would part ways with him.

This kid should have gotten an offer at the beginning of the football season.

A friend of mine was on the staff during a coaching change. He continued to recruit. He assisted to help LSU get a couple of players. The AD continued his pay, for another year, even though, he had another job. 
 

[houtiger]

7 hours ago, Herb said:

What kills me is that Orgeron and his staff didn't even offer a bunch of in-state 3 and 4 star recruits. It's like Eaux gave lip service to "continuing to recruit for LSU" but in actuality didn't GAF once it was announced LSU would part ways with him.

I don't know anything, but that statement seems overly negative to O, and it fails entirely to take into consideration the high school players eval of the situation.  Once Woody fired O, and you figure the staff will have a major change, who would commit to LSU, not knowing who the head coach and assistants were going to be?

Almost nobody, and nobody did.  That is not on O, that is on Woody's decision to fire him.  It has been said before, whenever there is a head coach change and staff changes, it is a down year for recruiting.  That's just the truth.

[Herb]

1 hour ago, houtiger said:

I don't know anything, but that statement seems overly negative to O, and it fails entirely to take into consideration the high school players eval of the situation.  Once Woody fired O, and you figure the staff will have a major change, who would commit to LSU, not knowing who the head coach and assistants were going to be?

Almost nobody, and nobody did.  That is not on O, that is on Woody's decision to fire him.  It has been said before, whenever there is a head coach change and staff changes, it is a down year for recruiting.  That's just the truth.

@houtiger, I look at it this way.

Kelly was continuing to recruit for Notre Dame literally up to when the news broke. He had just left a recruits house pitching for that kid to go to Notre Dame. (Yet the Notre Dame friendly press tried to skewer him for "lying to recruits" [yet, I'm guessing they gladly took those recruits].)

There should be zero reason for 3 and 4 star in-state kids that want to come to LSU to NOT get offered by the LSU staff.

One could argue that a staff that knows they are on the way out should not be expected to recruit for whoever the incoming staff is. But, that is exactly what Kelly was doing. Kelly knew he was leaving ND and continued to recruit for them.

If an incoming staff doesn't see a kid that is committed as being a fit, they can then have a heart to heart talk with him and explain that he needs to look elsewhere.

There is a difference between a kid that committed to play for O and O leaves and that player decides to open their recruiting back up versus a highly ranked player that wants to come to LSU and the staff never offers him.

Once Orgeron was informed that he was out of LSU's future, is it okay for him to completely stop recruiting (yet continue to cash his paychecks)?

[Hatchertiger]

4 hours ago, Herb said:

 Once Orgeron was informed that he was out of LSU's future, is it okay for him to completely stop recruiting (yet continue to cash his paychecks)?

I don't know if O continued to recruit or not once he got the axe. However, even if he did, at that point he had zero credibility as recruiter.   Yes still has to do his job if he's still getting paid but he would not be an effective recruiter even if he tried. My $00.02.

[houtiger]

5 hours ago, Herb said:

@houtiger, I look at it this way.

Kelly was continuing to recruit for Notre Dame literally up to when the news broke. He had just left a recruits house pitching for that kid to go to Notre Dame. (Yet the Notre Dame friendly press tried to skewer him for "lying to recruits" [yet, I'm guessing they gladly took those recruits].)

Kelly was not fired by ND, very different situation.  If he didn't put his best effort into recruiting, his assistants would know something was not right.  He could not afford to let that happen until the announcement was public.

Very different situation from O, who was fired weeks earlier.

[LSUDad]

13 hours ago, LSUDad said:

A friend of mine was on the staff during a coaching change. He continued to recruit. He assisted to help LSU get a couple of players. The AD continued his pay, for another year, even though, he had another job. 
 

My friend, he continued to recruit a guy named Faulk. To this day if I yell out “Hoss,” Kevin will stop, turn around and talk with me. 
 

[Herb]

8 hours ago, houtiger said:

Kelly was not fired by ND, very different situation.  If he didn't put his best effort into recruiting, his assistants would know something was not right.  He could not afford to let that happen until the announcement was public.

Very different situation from O, who was fired weeks earlier.

But he was allowed to keep his full $17 million balance. Should LSU not have gotten some effort in recruiting for that cash?

[houtiger]

1 hour ago, Herb said:

But he was allowed to keep his full $17 million balance. Should LSU not have gotten some effort in recruiting for that cash?

I recall in one of O's weekly press conferences, he was asked what he was doing with recruiting and he said he was continuing to make calls and he and the staff were recruiting.  He said he was telling the kids that they would not be committing to him, they would be committing to LSU, and Woody would hire a good coach.

But, as I said before, the decision is the PLAYER'S decision.  That is a good recruiting line, as good as O could come up with.  Unless you grew up with the dream of playing for LSU, like a legacy kid like Walker Howard, it would seem reasonable to wait and see who LSU hires as the head coach and assistants, and take a few visits in case things don't work out at LSU.

[Fishhead]

https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Football/OverallTeamRankings/

 

LSU up to 15th in 247 ranking with the addition of transfer Miles Frazier, who is a plug and play LT with 3 years of eligibility.

And that's with only 14 dudes.  

Write this down if you'd like, but more OL coming via portal.  It's nice having a Kelly/Brad Davis combo

[Hatchertiger]

PWO: Wes Woodward, Catholic High BR

 

 

[LSUDad]

On 4/24/2021 at 8:43 PM, LSUDad said:

Agree HT, O has done well with his recruiting. I was at Capt Brads again today. A couple of Aggie players and coaches, joined me today. They had their Spring Game today. aTm lost 3 OT’s, a OC and an OG, from last years OL. 

I told them they’d feel it. Looks like they did. 

[LSUDad]

On 12/13/2021 at 11:05 AM, LSUDad said:

Will Campbell | OT | Neville (La.)

 

(Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)

247Sports Composite: 5-star | 0.9840 | No. 32 Overall | No. 5 OT
Recruitment status: Committed to LSU
Measurables: 6-6 | 300
Player evaluation: Tall with above average length. Wears his mass well and owns terrific frame potential. Active feet set up contact and foster drive-blocking effectiveness. Flashes some nasty as a block-finisher and will take targets to the ground if possible. Displays encouraging movement ability in space that reflects in second-level efficiency. Reaches those second-level targets with relative ease. Combines functional mobility and strength as consistently effective reach-blocker. Arriving impact improved as a junior and also showed in flashes at point of attack. Owns a high ceiling as a pass-blocker thanks to frame and above-average foot quickness. Generally does not allow naturally high center of gravity negatively affect pad level and leverage. Consistency as a puncher can still improve. Also can trust his frame/reach more in initial extension, especially in pass pro. Looks to be among the top 2022 offensive tackle prospects. Projects to high-major level with long-term potential to reach the early rounds of the NFL Draft. – 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks
NFL Draft projection: 2-3 Round (Day 2)
Player comparison: Liam Eichenberg | OT | Miami Dolphins

When you come all the way down to the bottom, you see the comparison to Liam Eichenberg, want to guess where Liam played College ball at? Yep, ND. 

[houtiger]

I found the press conference I had seen before:

 

[Herb]

I didn't realize that Mason Taylor was the son of 6 time Pro Bowl Defensive End Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins).

Jason Taylor was a 1st ballot inductee into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2017.

[LSUDad]

https://247sports.com/Article/LSU-signee-Quency-Wiggins-turning-heads-in-San-Antonio-179922491/Amp/

[LSUDad]

LSU Hoping to Find Right Balance in Filling Out Rest of 2022 Roster

Tigers expect to dip heavily into transfer market, continue recruiting current roster

• GLEN WEST
• 13 HOURS AGO

Watching LSU against Kansas State it's apparent just how much more this team needs in roster depth ahead of the 2022 season. This roster at current construction has been absolutely gutted. 

The Tigers were playing with 39 scholarship players in the Texas Bowl and with new coach Brian Kelly watching, there are some glaring areas that will need to be addressed while constructing the 2022 roster. Kelly has filled most of his coaching staff positions and with football finishing up in college, a number of those coaches can start attacking the next phase of the recruiting cycle.

While the purple and gold were playing for the final time Tuesday night, Kelly met with the ESPN broadcast group and talked about what the future of the program looks like. A big part of the immediate future is filling out the rest of this roster with many positions of need to fill.

With 13 signed and 12 spots remaining in the freshman class, there are still plenty of avenues Kelly can take. But the real heart of where the Tigers' first year coach wants to attack is through the transfer portal. 

“We want to build everything from the freshman class, but we are going to have to use the transfer portal,” Kelly said. “We’ll be in a transitional build, so we’ll have to use the transfer portal. Moving forward, we want to build through freshman players that you bring in and develop. But we will have to use the transfer portal, and that makes it a little easier.”

At this time, offensive lineman Miles Frazier is the only transfer LSU has committed or signed. A new NCAA rule allows the program to match up to seven transfers with another player in the transfer portal, leaving the Tigers with six spots available.

There will be a focus in state, particularly with a couple of key prospects like safety Jacoby Mathews and running back TreVonte Citizen set to make their decisions in the next few weeks. 

“I think it starts with the geographic recruiting base,” Kelly said. “We have the ability to recruit Louisiana and it’s a talent-rich area. I’m used to going across the country. To recruit Louisiana is an important piece for us, and I’m excited about that."

But another component of this is not only bringing in new players to the program but keeping the ones who are already here. The Tigers have recently lost cornerback Elias Ricks to Alabama, a gut wrenching loss to the SEC West rival. There were rumors that Kayshon Boutte could also be out the door but the star receiver shut those down and will return. 

Interim coach Brad Davis has been in lock step with Kelly since he was hired in early December. The coaching staff has been on the road recruiting but the one area that was overshadowed was the pitch to the current players, something Davis feels Kelly has navigated extremely well.

"In the conversations that we've had, really, it's about managing a roster right now. We have to recruit our roster. What I mean by that is keeping guys in the program and then, obviously, creating a wholesale buy-in, and I think that he has been highly successful at that," Davis said. 

Davis has been that coach to bridge the gap between one coach to the other over the last month and has seen how Kelly wants this ship steered. Now Kelly will take over and Davis has full confidence LSU will be back to its winning ways sooner than later.

"I think our guys are excited to turn the page and go compete for him. Right now, recruiting, obviously, is a big piece of it," Davis said. "We're heavily involved with that with trying to acquire new talent that we can get in and develop and allow us to go play. I've been excited about the staff that he has hired. I think he has gone out and has hired winners. He has brought people in that fit the culture that he wants to build. I really feel optimistic about the direction that LSU football is going to go."

[LSUDad]

Oops! 

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tamu-football/aggies-jimbo-fisher-ncaa-investigation-recruiting-violations/amp/

 

[LSUDad]

The LSU Tigers may have found their replacement for losing Jake Johnson to Texas A&M. Louisiana product from Westgate Danny Lewis Jr was committed to playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats. His recruiter was then offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. 

[LSUDad]

Former LSU target Michael Trigg has entered the transfer portal

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Patrick Conn 

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January 10, 2022 2:06 pm CT

One area of emphasis for the LSU Tigers in 2022 needs to be improving their tight end position. The team has Kole Taylor and Jack Bech, although the latter is more of a big slot and less of an inline tight end. The team could look to the transfer portal where a former LSU offer has put his name in the hat.

 

USC tight end Michael Trigg announced on Twitter that he is in the transfer portal and the Tigers could use his services. Trigg held offers from both the LSU Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was part of the 2021 recruiting class as the No. 4 ranked tight end. Some view Trigg as a big slot player as well but his usage would likely increase in a Mike Denbrock offense.

As a member of the 2021 Trojans football team, Trigg accumulated just seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. His longest reception went for 46 yards, which came in the game against Colorado. The same game where Trigg hauled in his first collegiate touchdown.