Rivals three-star offensive guard Carneal Ainsworth committed to LSU today at the summer football camp. According to Dandy Don , Ainsworth missed most of 2007 with a leg injury. He must be back to full speed and shown something to have gotten an offer at camp. And I'll stick with Richard Pittman, who also trusts Les Miles on offensive linemen. I mean, who would have seen Lyle Hitt coming two years ago?
Ainsworth is the No. 18 offensive guard in the nation by Rivals and Dandy Don's No. 6 overall prospect in Louisiana. Anyway, via ESPN Insider, here's Scouts, Inc.'s take on him (subscription only):
Ainsworth is a physical lineman that is a productive offensive guard. Even though he's big enough in terms of weight, his height limits him to the guard position. Really is a good technician. Good short step rarely gets him out of position on the drive block. Comes out low with good leverage and power angles. Only weakness in base blocking is tendency to not strike more with the hands. Likes to block with the chest; this will not work at the next level. Nice leg drive once contact is made and really stays after the defender. Pulls and traps with authority and does a good job of driving legs on contact; good finisher. Shows effort getting downfield even though mobility isn't the greatest; makes up for lack of foot speed by hustling and going till whistle blows. Gets a little angular on the double team; needs to fit into block and get hip to hip with teammate to make the block more effective in driving the defensive lineman off the football. Pass setting is solid, gets back quick in good relationship to pass rusher. Needs to really work on hands and keep chest away from defender. Must sit back and show some patience in order to not get over-extended. Ainsworth is a very solid offensive guard that has the attitude and work ethic to be a valuable collegiate offensive lineman.
This should only enhance LSU's recruiting stable for the Class of 2009. Early on, ESPN's Tom Luginbill has the Tigers ranked second :
Funny how winning national titles always seems to bolster the following year's recruiting class. Les Miles and his staff have a verbal commitment from arguably this class' best all-around athlete in ATH/QB Russell Shepard (Houston/Cy-Ridge), an absolute nightmare with the ball in his hands. Cornerback Janzen Jackson (Lake Charles, La./Barbe) is very talented and a great tackler. If DT/OG Josh Downs (Bastrop, La.) were two inches taller, he would be much more widely coveted. Excellent overall speed in this class.