LSU Junior Day: The List

It shows.

Two simple words to signify the impact this new staff has had in recruiting. A 2018 class that could possibly reach 30 members already has 11, 2019 has a five star, two four stars and an OL that is currently un-ranked but will likely be a five star. After a Boys From The Boot event that brought in three commits, the crown jewel of the spring for the 2018 class is here, and the staff has outdone themselves. With that in mind, let’s just get to the list.

Note: This is certainly not everyone that is attending, and some that may be mentioned may wind up not showing up. Don’t take it out on me.

LSU Invades Texas Again?

LSU has found success recruiting in Texas for as long as I can remember. This year is no different, and when nearly every college in Texas is coming off a rough season, there is not a better time to attack and it shows (those words again). It starts with five-star players Anthony Cook, BJ Foster and continues on with even more highly-talented recruits like Jalen Preston, Brennan Eagles, Jalen Green, Jarell Cherry, Chasen Hines and Alston Orji, who was in Baton Rouge on Thursday. That’s just the start of just for the 2018 visitors. Throw in third-ranked 2019 quarterback Grant Gunnell and 2020 safety Lejond Cavasos and the Lone Star State may be seeing a Tiger throughout it.

Texas Isn’t the Only State

Florida has been another state where LSU has found success, and this year is off to a good start with Nadab Joseph already committed. There’s a good chance he won’t be the only one from the state in this class, and some of those possibilities will be in town. American Heritage teammates five-star cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. and four-star CB Tyson Campbell (have fun throwing against that as a high school QB) will be the 2018 headliners. Surtain Jr. has said on numerous occasions that LSU leads due to his father and former NFL star Patrick Surtain’s New Orleans roots. Other big visitors for 2018 include rush linebacker Andrew Chatfield, another teammate of Surtain Jr. and Campbell, and inside linebacker James Miller, who has been in town since Wednesday and will actually be leaving sometime on Saturday. While he is not originally from Florida, 2019 Noah Cain will be visiting from IMG. Expect him to be the crown jewel of the 2019 class for LSU.

Three five stars for 2019 from Georgia will be visiting in linebackers Owen Pappoe and J.D. Bertrand and cornerback KJ Wallace. Four-star QB Gerry Bohanon out of Arkansas will be a big target for Canada. LSU commit and 2019 four-star defensive back Maurice Hampton out of Tennessee will be visiting.

Louisiana is Represented As Well

While this weekend is normally for the out of state recruits, there is always a few in-state recruits that make it in, and this year is headlined by two teammates. Five-star wideout Terrace Marshall and four-star QB Justin Rogers, both of whom have said they would like to play together and were heavily considering leaving Louisiana, will be visiting. Both also attended the Boys From the Boot, so the staff getting them in for another major events speaks volumes.

LSU Commits

Once-LSU commit Kenan Jones will be in Baton Rouge, and expect him back in this class at some point. Current LSU commits Kelvin Joseph and 2019 commit Derek Stingley Jr. help shore up the secondary. Joseph has flirted with de-committing, so getting him in is another key visitor. Also, when it comes to the in state guys, there is always the possibility that some of them just make the short drive to drop in.

Commit Watch

As always, this is normally the most intriguing part of weekend, and there could definitely be a few names to pop. Two names from Texas to watch would be Chasen Hines and Jarell Cherry. One of the visiting receivers could pop, as the numbers at that position start to fill up. Maybe someone like Noah Cain is sold on his new coach Tommie Robinson and is set on LSU, doubtful but not out of the realm. Andrew Chatfield will be my surprise, although his recent rise up the rankings may cause him to slow his process. And he does love Orgeron.

This a monstrous weekend that is a huge testament to this staff and the larger net they have cast compared to the past few seasons. Even on a personal note, I feel more excited about recruiting than I have the past few years and it’s mostly due to the energy that this whole staff has and having no fear in offering a number of guys. A number of these visitors have not been able to meet the new position coaches, so expect a lot of good news to come from this weekend.