Not even a month removed from putting the 2015 signing class in the books, and the staff is already aggressively pursuing 2016 recruits. Realistically, many of these prospects were identified, two, even three years ago. LSU's Director of Player Personnel, Austin Thomas, identified a major key to successful recruiting is early identification:
"The way it is these days, coaches are getting scholarship offers out there earlier and earlier," [Thomas] says. "Prospects have to be identified earlier and earlier."
Thomas added he hopes to have his top 200 prospects for 2017 completed by this summer. It's a big reason LSU's class currently sits nearly a third complete, with seven commitments:
Let's take a look at the current depth chart, position by position and identify our recruiting needs for 2016.
Quarterback
2016 Roster (4)
Brandon Bergeron | Senior |
Anthony Jennings | Senior |
Brandon Harris | Junior |
Justin McMillan | RS Freshman |
Commitments (1)
Feleipe' Franks | 4 Star |
That list is in no way a reflection of an actual depth chart. Realistically, there are three scholarship QBs here. It's already pretty well known LSU would like to take a pair of quarterbacks in this class. The question is, who fills that second spot?
Need: 2
Running Back/Fullback
Current Roster (6)
Leonard Fournette | Junior |
Darrell Williams | Junior |
Derrius Guice | Sophomore |
Nick Brossette | Sophomore |
Lanard Fournette | Sophomore |
David Ducre | Sophomore |
Commitments (0)
Ducre is the roster's only scholarship fullback, though they've found success with walk-ons in that role. Five backs is a good crew, especially since none should be leaving for at least two years. The staff has only offered two running backs for 2016 thus far. One of those players (Devin White) is potentially a LB at the next level. I wouldn't be surprised if the staff took 0 backs.
Need: 1 (maybe)
Wide Receiver
Current Roster (12)
Travin Dural | RS Senior |
Avery Peterson | RS Junior |
John Diarse | RS Junior |
Malachi Dupre | Junior |
Kevin Spears | RS Junior |
DJ Chark | Junior |
Trey Quinn | Junior |
Tony Upchurch | FS Sophomore |
Tyron Johnson | Sophomore |
Jazz Ferguson | Sophomore |
Brandon Martin | Sophomore |
Derrick Dillon | Sophomore |
Commitments (2)
Stephen Sullivan | 4 Star |
Dee Anderson | 4 Star |
12 scholarship WRs and none are a sure bet to leave after the 2015 season. That's a somewhat astounding number that looks more like a team that runs more spread sets than 22 personnel. I suspect Travin Dural make take the plunge to the NFL after this season, considering he already flirted with the idea last season. Additionally, Brandon Martin is likely to not qualify. That still would put LSU with 10 WRs, quite the group. The number needed will depend on whether Martin gets qualified. If yes, then two should suffice. If no, then the staff will likely add three.
Need: 2 or 3
Tight End
Current Roster (7)
Colin Jeter | Senior |
Desean Smith | Senior |
Jacory Washington | RS Sophomore |
Bry'Kiethon Mouton | Sophomore |
Hanner Shipley | Sophomore |
Foster Moreau | RS Freshman |
Commitments (1)
Jamal Pettigrew | 4 Star |
LSU will lose only Dillon Gordon for certain after the 2015 season. Desean Smith is a candidate to declare early, based on his athletic tools and potential expanded role in the offense (if you extrapolate the bowl gameplan some). Assuming he stays, that puts LSU at six players. I could see the staff adding another TE in this class, but one would also be sufficient.
Need: 1 or 2
Offensive Line
2016 Roster (12)
Jerald Hawkins | RS Senior |
Jevonte Domond | Senior |
Josh Boutte | Senior |
K.J. Malone | RS Junior |
Andy Dodd | RS Junior |
Will Clapp | RS Sophomore |
Garrett Brumfield | RS Sophomore |
Toby Weathersby | Sophomore |
Maea Teuhema | Sophomore |
Chidi Valentine-Okeke | Sophomore |
Adrian Magee | RS Freshman |
George Brown | RS Freshman |
Commitments (1)
Donavaughn Campbell | 4 Star |
12 players is a good number. I'm almost certain that number will be 11, so long as Hawkins isn't injured or tremendously disappointing this season. Even with seven freshmen, I think LSU will continue to add depth and add another two or three commitments to go along with Campbell.
Need: 3 or 4
Defensive End
2016 Roster (7)
Tashawn Bower | Senior |
Lewis Neal | Senior |
Sione Teuhema | Junior |
Deondre Clark | Junior |
M.J. Patterson | RS Junior |
Isaiah Washington | Sophomore |
Arden Key | Sophomore |
Commitments (0)
Bower will both be draft eligible and may explore that route. I don't consider Lewis Neal a threat to leave early. LSU is exceptionally young and deep on the DL at this point, but they will want to add more bodies. Adding an impact DE should be a major priority in this class.
Need: 2 or 3
Defensive Tackle
2016 Roster (14)
Christian LaCouture | Senior |
Greg Gilmore | RS Junior |
Maquedius Bain | RS Junior |
Davon Godchaux | Junior |
Frank Herron | RS Junior |
Trey Lealaimatafao | RS Sophomore |
Travonte Valentine | RS Sophomore |
Commitments (0)
LaCouture will be draft eligible after this season and could look to explore his opportunity there. There's a mega talented haul of DTs in the state of Louisiana this season, not to mention some OOS studs with strong interesting in LSU. I suspect the staff will take three or four players here.
Need: 3 or 4
Linebacker
2016 Roster (5)
Ronnie Feist | Senior |
Duke Riley | Senior |
Kendell Beckwith | Senior |
Donnie Alexander | Junior |
Clifton Garrett | Junior |
Commitments (1)
Clifford Chattman | 3 Star |
The single biggest need of the 2016 signing class. Beckwith is a candidate to leave early, meaning LSU could enter 2015 with only four scholarship LBs, a dangerous proposition without any roster tinkering. The staff is well aware of the need and hitting the position hard thus far. I suspect LSU will take five players at LB.
Need: 4 or 5
Cornerback
2016 Roster (6)
Tre'Davious White | Senior |
Ed Paris | Junior |
Russell Gage | Junior |
Kevin Toliver II | Sophomore |
Donte Jackson | Sophomore |
Xavier Lewis | Sophomore |
Commitments (1)
Saivion Smith | 5 Star |
Tre White is almost a sure bet to leave early, meaning LSU sits with only five scholarship corners, assuming no position changes. Considering the lack of depth at LB, LSU will likely play a lot of nickel in 2016, meaning additional depth is needed. There's a high number of DBs on the board, and I suspect LSU will take another two or three corners.
Need: 3 or 4
Saftey
2016 Roster (6)
Corey Thompson | Senior |
Jeremy Cutrer | Senior |
Rickey Jefferson | Senior |
John Battle | Junior |
Jamal Adams | Junior |
Devin Voorhies | Junior |
Commitments (0)
Six could quickly become five if Devin Voorhies makes the shift to LB as many have hinted at. Similar to CB, LSU is hot after safeties, and I expect they will sign two or three.
Need: 2 or 3
Specialists
Long Snapper
2016 Roster (1)
Blake Ferguson | RS Freshman |
Punter/Kicker
2016 Roster (5)
Colby Delahoussaye | Senior |
Trent Domingue | Senior |
Cameron Gamble | Junior |
Kyle Pfau | RS Sophomore |
Josh Growden | RS Freshman |
Commitments (0)
Les typically likes to add a specialist a class, but this may be the year to skip a beat.
Need: 0
Summary
Let's quote each high end projection for each position of need:
Quarterback | 2 |
Running Back | 1 |
Wide Receiver | 3 |
Tight End | 2 |
Offensive Line | 5 |
Defensive Line | 5 |
Linebacker | 5 |
Cornerback | 3 |
Safety | 2 |
Specialist | 0 |
That's a 28 man signing class. Honestly, it's not entirely unrealistic if the staff can find a way to back count some players. If not, you can fudge down on RB, WR, TE, and one of either DL or OL and I think you'd be just fine.
The interesting impact will be on in-state prospect. Does LSU pass on players like Mykel Jones and Clyde Leflore, solely due to lack of need there? How the staff shapes this class will be one of the stories to watch in 2016. Clearly LB is the biggest need, but the rest of the roster contains pretty good depth throughout, allowing Miles and staff the flexibility to really add the best players they can add without regards to position.