Just weeks for signing day, and coaching staffs across the country are honing in on their final targets, seeking to fill out their classes. LSU will play host to a number of highly regarded players this weekend, here's the list of who.
Uncommitted
Iman Marshall
The 5-star CB from Long Beach will make the long trek to Baton Rouge this weekend, for what looks to be his final official visit. He's also visited Florida State, Notre Dame, and Michigan, and while he hasn't officially visited USC, they are a stone's throw from his house, so he's taken multiple unofficial trips to their campus. This is a major uphill battle for LSU. Marshall's parents didn't make the trip with him to FSU, so it'll be interesting to see if they do to LSU. If they do, that could be a more serious sign of interest. In the event that they don't, it would confirm what we all suspect, and that Marshall is simply enjoying the benefit of some free trips, and will be staying home to play for USC. It's likely that he winds up at USC, but perhaps the staff can make a major impact, specifically Ed Orgeron, who no doubt knows Marshall from his time at USC.
Toby Weathersby
The 4-star OL is one of the major realistic targets on the board for LSU. Weathersby decommitted from Texas in the middle of December and re-opened his recruiting process. LSU would like to add one more lineman in this class, to give them a complete five. Weathersby could probably slot at guard or tackle, and his versatility makes him an intriguing prospect. Crystal Ball predictions are trending to Arkansas after a great visit there last weekend. However, there's no real strong pick for any team, as picks have come in for the last month for OU, Arkansas, Ole Miss and LSU. A home-run official visit could swing momentum into the Tigers favor.
Torrance Gibson
The 4-star dual-threat QB opted to take some visits after Ohio State's QB position became increasingly murky with the emergence of Cardale Jones, the strong play of J.T. Barrett, and the potential return of Braxton Miller. LSU is Gibson's final scheduled visit, but he also tripped to Auburn last weekend. Gibson has already utilized his official visit to Ohio State. He's a remarkably gifted athlete, and while I question his ability to ever become a QB, he's worth the staff taking a shot on, for his immense athletic talents alone. Auburn or Ohio State still look like the favorites here, but it's big to even get him on campus.
Lanard Fournette
The 3-star WR, and younger brother of freshman sensation Leonard, will make his official this weekend, as well. Lanard's recruitment has been quiet, and his crystal ball is currently 100% LSU. He's been a backburner option for most of the recruiting process and whether or not he has an offer remains a point of debate. LSU would still like to get to the full 25 this class and Fournette seems like a good bet to get an offer (if he doesn't have one) this weekend, and likely commit.
Manny Miles
Yes, THAT Miles. Manny is a solid little QB prospect, but there's not much info on his offers or visits. He will take in LSU this weekend, but I wouldn't suspect him to get a scholarship offer. I've read he's much more likely to be a baseball prospect, so I wouldn't expect this to be anything but Les' son having a great trip on the school's dime. He could be a walk-on option, if he wants to go that route, but he may have opportunities to play football and baseball at some smaller schools.
Commits
There's a healthy list of LSU commits also making their official visits this weekend.
Nick Brossette
I want to take a minute to specifically address Brossette, who removed LSU commit from his twitter bio after a strong visit to Texas last weekend. Brossette dominated the prep scene right in LSU's backyard, playing at Lab. He's a talented back and would add some additional depth to what is sure to be a loaded backfield in 2015. That said, LSU could afford to lose him for that very reason. There will be no shortage of running backs in the stable next season, which I'm sure Brossette is well aware.
The appeal to Texas is quite clearly the opportunity to be "the man." LSU's pitch won't change. Come in, be a part of the stable, preserve your body so you can have a nice, long NFL career. It's a pitch that worked well with Leonard Fournette last year, and Derrius Guice this season. The staff will need to work to solidify Brossette's commitment this weekend, as he's a real threat to flip to Texas.
Derrius Guice
Guice will take two remaining official visits, one to LSU this weekend and one to... Alabama... next weekend. I'm not sure why Guice is suddenly visiting Alabama this late in the process. We'll see if that visit ever actually happens, though. My guess is Frank Wilson leans on him this weekend and that trip never comes to fruition.
The Rest
Tyron Johnson, Xavier Lewis and new LSU commit Donte Jackson will take their officials this weekend. These guys are all tight and planned on taking this trip together all along. It's the primary reason such confidence in nabbing Tyron Johnson, then Donte Jackson, prevailed. Should be a great weekend for them.
Long snapper Blake Ferguson will also be in town for his official visit. The younger brother to Reid, he's likely the heir apparent to long snapping after Reid graduates next year.
Of all the visitors, Weathersby is probably the most important recruit from this weekend. Convincing the big man to come to LSU would add some really nice depth to the OL. Should be a huge weekend as we inch closer to signing day.