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LSU will host it's annual Junior Day this weekend. Top talents from across the nation will drop into Baton Rouge to get a feel for the program and further strengthen relationships with the current coaching staff. Prospects such as Malachi Dupre, Ed Paris, Leonard Fournette, Tony Upchurch, Davon Gochaux and Nic Brossette have attended Junior Days in the past. It's a great time for the staff to make a big impression, often extending offers, sometimes yielding commitments. Let's take a look at the names in attendance this weekend.
Commits
Name | Position | Composite Rating | Hometown |
Feleipe' Franks | QB | **** | Crawfordville, FL |
Stephen Sullivan | WR | **** | Donaldsville, LA |
Clifford Chattman | OLB | *** | New Orleans, LA |
The Rest
Name | Position | Composite Rating | Hometown |
Rashard Lawrence | DT | **** | Monroe, LA |
Eric Monroe | S | ***** | Houston, TX |
Deontay Anderson | S | ***** | Manvel, TX |
Edwin Alexander | DT | ***** | Hammond, LA |
Ben Davis | OLB | ***** | Gordo, AL |
Kendell Jones | DT | **** | Killeen, TX |
Stephon Taylor | DT | **** | New Orleans, LA |
Kaden Smith | TE | **** | Flower Mound, TX |
JP Urquidez | OT | **** | Copperas Cove, TX |
Will Farrar | OT | UT (Class of 2017) | Richmond, TX |
Bryson Perry | CB | UR | Canton, GA |
Ed Oliver | DT | **** | Houston, TX |
Brandon Jones | S | ***** | Nacogdoches, TX |
Shyheim Carter (Alabama Commit) | CB | ***** | Kentwood, LA |
Jeffrey McCulloch | OLB | **** | Houston, TX |
Isaiah Graham | WR | **** | Bastrop, LA |
Benito Jones (Ole Miss Commit) | DT | **** | Waynesboro, MS |
McTelvin Agim | DE | **** | Hope, AR |
Khalil Ladler | CB | **** | Bradenton, FL |
Emanuel Bridges | OLB | *** | Newnan, GA |
Tim Hart | OLB | *** | Memphis, TN |
Saivion Smith | CB | ***** | Bradenton, FL |
Dontavius Jackson | ILB | **** | Houston, TX |
Jean Delance (Oklahoma Commit) | OT | **** | Mesquite, TX |
Donte Vaughn | CB | **** | Memphis, TN |
Thomas Johnston | OLB | UR (2017) | Spanish Fort, AL |
Tyler Johnston | QB | UR | Spanish Fort, AL |
Scott Lashley | OT | **** | West Point, MS |
Dontavius Jackson | ILB | **** | Houston, TX |
Daniel Bituli | OLB | **** | Nashville, TN |
Marlon Davidson | DE | ***** | Montgomery, AL |
Nigel Knott | CB | **** | Madison, MS |
Kendric Haynes | LB | UR (2017) | Alabama |
Simeon Gatling | CB | UR | Greensboro, NC |
Brandolin Perdue | WR | *** | Daphne, AL |
Cairo Attaway | WR | UR | Waco, TX |
Courtlen Watkins | WR | UR | Baton Rouge, LA |
Trayvon Mullen | CB | **** | Pompano Beach, FL |
Michael Lapeyrolerie | WR | UR | Austell, GA |
Jacquez Robinson | WR | UR | Athens, AL |
Sylvaughn Turner | S | *** | Athens, AL |
Kazmi Antoine | OLB | UR | Belle Chasse, LA |
Lamical Perine | RB | *** | Theodore, AL |
Keldrick Carper | S | UR (2017) | Plain Dealing, LA |
Cole McGowan | WR | UR (2017) | Magnolia, TX |
Barrick Slaughter | RB | **** | Livonia, LA |
As you can surmise, that's quite the list. 8 five star prospects will be in attendance. 20 four stars as well. This is about as star studded of a recruit list you'll see at a school-specific event.
Some Big Picture Thoughts
The two spots I'm most curious about are DT and CB. The state is absolutely loaded at DT this season, and a high number of CB prospects rank LSU high on the list. How much will the staff use that to leverage commitments? It's too early to the play the "commit or your spot will be gone" game, but I do think you can nudge prospects in that direction, by illustrating how many you intend to take.
CB is of particular interest, with 5-star Alabama commit Shyheim Carter making the trip in. Can the staff get him to open back up his process? Or could this be a final push for him? With so many DBs interested, they'll have to assess whether there's a legitimate chance to flip the Kentwood product, or if they should simply move on to some of the other primetime out of state prospects.
Also, don't be surprised if some local kids pop in. Dylan Moses, or even 2015 signees Derrius Guice and Nic Brossette.
Keep an Eye On
Ed Oliver
The 4-star DT is considered an LSU lean. Could he pull the trigger this weekend? As mentioned above, the state is absolutely loaded at DT, and the staff will certainly be taking a high number at the position, but it's not a spot you want to slow play on if you are a recruit. Simply too many quality options for LSU.
Rashard Lawrence and Ed Alexander
Lawrence was the first prospect Orgeron visited upon hiring. Alexander is a former LSU commit. I suspect the staff will at least push for a commitment from them. I don't foresee it happening, but I do think they'll put the full court press on, considering the number of highly touted DTs available. They want to get a good feel for where they stand at the position and how they need to proceed with players that may not rank as highly on the board as these two.
Linebackers
All told, eight in attendance (one commit). This is Steele's first real chance to make an impact. He acknowledged in an interview this week that LSU already has a built in pitch, due to missing on all their LB prospects from last year. Can they swing some of these top OOS studs?
Tony Ball
Not sure there's anything to watch here, but Ball officially started yesterday and this will be his first recruiting weekend at LSU. It'll be interesting to see what Stephen Sullivan has to say about him, and to see what impact he can make on Isaiah Graham.
Stay Tuned
Follow me (@ATVS_PaulCrewe) and Cody (@CMBellaire) on Twitter for any news and updates this weekend. We'll drop in the comments with any additional news as well.