LSU Recruiting 2016: Offensive Targets/Commits

With the 2015 recruiting cycle finished up, we recruiting junkies celebrate that class on National Signing Day and move on to the next class immediately. I am here to help you fellow junkies move into the 2016 cycle with some of the names you should get used to hearing as the camps and combines unfold.

On the offensive side of the ball, LSU has offered about 40 players and have 5 commitments. The commits are two receivers, a tight end, a guard and a quarterback. Let's look at these guys a little more in-depth.

COMMITS

Wide Receivers

Size is apparently an area of interest at the position this year if you were to look at our commitments.

Dee Anderson is a 6'4", 180 pound receiver out of Mesquite, TX and committed to LSU back in August. In his junior season he caught 44 passes for 733 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is an explosive deep threat and a natural pass catcher. He has the ability to go up and get the ball and runs very crisp routes for a receiver with his size. Anderson is a 4-star WR and is the 94th ranked player in the country and the 18th ranked receiver in the class according to the 247 Composite ratings.

If you thought Anderson was a big receiver, then here is a giant one. Stephen Sullivan is a 6'6", 225 pound monster of a receiver out of Donaldsonville, LA and committed to LSU at Junior Day last year. For his high school team he lines up at QB, WR, TE, and DE. To say he's athletic is an understatement. He is an absolute freak. If he solely played wide-out he would be a 5-star, but he will just have to wait until he proves himself at a combine or two. Sullivan is a 4-star WR and is the 66th ranked player in the country and the 8th ranked receiver in the class according to the 247 Composite ratings.

Tight End

Speaking of big pass catchers, here is another one that lines up as a tight end. Jamal Pettigrew is a 6'6", 220 pound tight end out of New Orleans, LA and committed to LSU in the middle of January. His cousin is Brandon Pettigrew who plays TE for the Detroit Lions and it must run in the family because Jamal has a fantastic set hands, especially for a tight end. He is definitely more of a receiving weapon than a blocker, but he is a natural pass catcher that has a frame that could definitely add some muscle. If he can keep his athleticism and add about 25 pounds to his frame he could be a lethal weapon (if we ever throw our TE's the ball). Pettigrew is a 4-star TE and is the 172nd ranked player in the country and is the 6th ranked TE in the class according to the 247 Composite ratings.

Offensive Guard

Donavaughn Campbell is your textbook mauler. He is a 6'5", 340 pound guard out of Ponchatoula, LA and committed to LSU in the middle of January. Campbell is big, Campbell is strong, but Campbell is not very athletic. He is a people-pusher that is crazy strong and can deliver a serious punch. He needs to get his feet a bit quicker and work on his pass protection, but he is a classic LSU run blocker if I have ever seen one. Campbell is a 3-star guard and is the 386th ranked player in the country and 15th ranked guard in the class according to the 247 Composite ratings.

Quarterback

Ah yes, the commit you have all been waiting for...Feleipe Franks. He is a 6'5", 220 pound dual-threat quarterback from Crawfordville, FL and committed to LSU in June. This past season, Franks completed 58% of his passes for 2249 yards, 8 interceptions and 28 touchdowns. He also ran for 425 yards and 3 touchdowns. Franks has a nice big frame with good accuracy. He is also surprisingly mobile for a QB that tall. My only knock is his velocity is pretty low for a guy that should be able to sling it. He throws off his back foot and has mediocre mechanics. Franks is awfully raw, but he could develop into something extremely special given his size and athleticism. He is a 4-star QB and is the 39th ranked player in the country and is the 1st ranked dual-threat QB according to the 247 Composite ratings.

Targets

I will just go through some of the top targets at each of the offensive positions and the ones that are the most interested.

Quarterbacks

Shea Patterson: As of now, Patterson is still a target. I imagine he does not end up here due to the scandal his brother Sean is currently dealing with, but it is still early in the game and who knows what could happen.

Dwayne Haskins: A very talented pro-style QB that received an offer just last week. He can make all the throws needed and keeps his eyes downfield when rolling out of the pocket. He is not very mobile, but is a smart runner.

Running Back

Devin White: He can play both running back and linebacker, but I am honestly not sure which side of the field he would play for LSU. Obviously the need at LB is big, but this kid is such a great runner and has an excellent body that could keep running for a long time I don't know if he could pass a chance at RB.

Wide Receiver

Mykel Jones: A former teammate of Alabama signee Daylon Charlot, Jones has mentioned playing alongside Charlot at Alabama. But Jones has also mentioned playing with a good friend of his, Shea Patterson, at the next level as well. He is an all-around talented receiver that has a good set of wheels and a great set of hands.

Darnell Salomon: A nice physical receiver from Florida that is being recruited by Corey Raymond who knows what he is doing in Florida. He has some off-field issues, but is a skillful receiver nonetheless.

Clyde Leflore: Tyron Johnson's former teammate at Warren Easton HS was obviously overshadowed by TJ, but is honestly an extremely talented pass catcher that will surprise a lot of people.

Offensive Tackle

Willie Allen: Probably the most talented offensive linemen we are going after. He attends John Curtis HS (one of our pipelines) and was Malachi Dupre's former teammate. He is a freak tackle and is very athletic for his 6'7", 300 pound body.

Now these are just some of the top targets on the offensive side of the ball. Cdub will update you on top defensive prospects -- and there are a number of them -- in his next piece.