Dead Period Over? Let The Visits Begin (01/16 Campus Visits)

With a new coordinator and new position coach on the payroll, the staff wanted to start the home stretch to National Signing Day off strong and that they did.  Already with a number of recruits planning to make the trek to Baton Rouge this weekend, the staff secured a new visitor to join an already star-studded cast of visitors.

It's Not Prince Akeem, It's Prince Tega

No, you're not watching Coming to America (but it sure is a funny movie).  There's a new prince in town and it's the 6'8", 250 lb. manchild Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., who became a target for many colleges after being able to reclassify from the 2016 class into the current 2015 class.  You want to know his importance to this staff?  The two newcomers Kevin Steele and Coach Eaux (Coach O/Bebe/Wild Boys) made their first recruiting stop as LSU coaches in Elmore, Alabama, to visit the Edgewood Academy defensive end.  The fiery joy from Oregeron getting back into recruiting was enough to secure an official visit from Prince this weekend.  For only playing one year of organized football, Prince may be looking to be a king of this recruiting class (sorry, the bad humor will stop now...maybe).

There's Other Uncommitted Recruits Coming?  You Got It

With the Alabama tutelage under Kevin Steele's coaching tenure, a potential move to a 3-4 defense could be in the works in Baton Rouge.  What is a primary facet of that defense?  A rush outside linebacker.  Insert Arden Key, who made opposing quarterbacks' lives miserable at the Under Armour All-American Game.  The 6'5", 230 lb. Composite four-star defensive end has been committed to South Carolina on three separate occasions but has once again re-opened his process.  He may state the Gamecocks still lead, but something tells me three may be the loneliest number for the Columbia faithful (I said maybe the bad humor will stop, sorry).

The final uncommited recruit that will be in Baton Rouge is the 6'6" 305 lb. offensive tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke, a five-star recruit according to 247 Sports.  Chidi has had an interesting year of his own from unusually leaving Champagnat Catholic in Miami, the same high school Travonte Valentine attended (no relation between the two) to Faith Baptist Christian Academy in Georgia.  Either way, the talented lineman seems to be looking at a college football career in Alabama, either at Auburn or Alabama, but the Grimes Scene Unit will try to uncover what it will take to get LSU in his lead group (Okay, the humor will stop, I promise).

Could Merry Flipmas Come Early?

Another visitor on campus will be the speedster wide receiver and current Florida commit Derrick Dillon.  It's been some time since the last time LSU had a receiver of his caliber with the elite speed he possesses, so getting him could be paramount for the Tigers.  Some have hinted a good visit could seal the deal, but an unofficial visit to Gainesville the following weekend could give them one final shot or Dillon telling them thanks but no thanks in person.

The only other committed-elsewhere recruit visiting is offensive guard Zach Robertson from St. John Bosco in California.  The Arizona State commit said he is solid to the Sun Devils, and while he may be second on the agenda for Grimes, make no mistake about it: he would love to have Robertson in purple and gold.

Commits Will Be In Full Force

The coaches will have some help on their hands in the committed likes of Maea Teuhema, Bry'Keithon Mouton, Isaiah Washington, Derrius Guice and Jazz Ferguson.  Of that group, Washington will benefit from his visit to meet his new defensive coordinator and position coach.  Another somewhat committed recruit on campus will be tight end Foster Moreau.  Once thought to be an LSU commit, he more than likely wants to make it official to Les Miles in person.  Washington, Teuhema and Ferguson were some of the first commits of the 2015 class, so it will be nice to have voices like that walking along with the recruits this weekend.

After a week filling the coaching stuff and pounding the pavement, the staff will have their hands full with a busy weekend.  With the dead period over and a staff full of invigorated recruiters, this weekend could go a long way in setting up the Tiger faithful for a good remaining month of 2015 recruiting.  Buckle in boys and girls, we're in for a fun ride.