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LSU will host a couple dozen prospects on campus today for it’s second major recruiting event of the 2019 cycle, focused more on prospects from the surrounding region, specifically Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
To no surprise, Baton Rouge five-star offensive lineman Kardell Thomas will be on hand, given his role as the Tigers’ defacto recruiting coordinator for the 2019 class. This marks Thomas’ second junior day on campus, but rather than a small group of elite players from nearby, this even will cast a much wider net.
SEC Country’s Sam Spiegelman has a full list, broken down by 2019 and Class of 2020 players:
2019 prospects (with offers)
Marcus Banks, 4-star CB, Houston
Paul Tyson, 4-star QB, Trussville, Ala.
Marcel Brooks, 4-star OLB, Flower Mound, Texas
Jamal Morris, 4-star S, Richmond, Texas
Erick Young, 4-star CB, Richmond, Texas
NaNa Osafo-Mensah, 4-star DE/OLB, Fort Worth, Texas
Dylan Wright, 4-star WR, Mesquite, Texas
Adonis Otey, 4-star CB, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
EJ Ndoma-Ogar, 4-star OG, Allen, Texas
Byron Young, 4-star DE, Laurel, Miss.
Brooks and Osafo-Mensah are priority outside linebacker recruits that LSU will battle Alabama and Texas for. The quarterback Tyson, is in fact the grandson of Bear Bryant, so you can take one guess where he’ll wind up.
Young is a priority defensive lineman who could be a great fit in Dave Aranda’s 3-4 defense. He’s only ranked as the 10th-overall player in the state of Mississippi, but that’s more of a testament to the Magnolia State’s talent level in this cycle. Young and Morris are also priority defensive back recruits out of the Houston area.
2019 prospects (without offers)
Michael Hollins, 3-star RB, Baton Rouge, La.
Charvis Thornton, 3-star ATH, Baton Rouge, La.
Lance LeGendre, 3-star QB, New Orleans (Kansas commit)
Nelson Ceasar, 4-star DE/OLB, Missouri City, Texas
Gilbert Ibeneme, 4-star DE, Pearland, Texas
Terrell Brown, 3-star RB, Harvey, La.
Anthony Shaffer, DB, Baton Rouge, La.
Brandon Mack, 3-star DE, Montgomery, Ala.
Dalvin Hutchinson, 3-star DT, Monroe, La.
Tyshawn Howard, ATH, Baton Rouge, La.
Kendarias Moses, 3-star DB, Baton Rouge, La.
Tyler Guidry, 3-star ATH, Baton Rouge, La.
Jacques Wallace, OL, Baton Rouge, La.
Kamrin Sartin, DB, Baton Rouge, La.
Hollins, from U-High on the LSU campus, recently picked up an offer from Alabama, although it may not be committable — with prospects like Thomas, Tyrion Davis and Derek Stingley in the Baton Rouge area, the offers are really pouring in for strategic reasons. LSU, of course, can’t be as reckless with in-state talent, hence the ongoing evaluations for some players. U-High receiver/athlete recruit Christian Harris only picked up his offer this week.
Many of these players are still unrated in the 247 composite. Some may pick up offers today — Nelson Caesar comes to mind — others, like Lance Legendre, Louisiana’s top quarterback prospect, and Dalvin Tomlinson, may wait until the spring evaluation period. Legendre, in particular, is a tricky case given the Tigers’ pursuit of stud Grant Gunnell out of Houston. In a few months, that picture should be a little clearer.
2020 prospects (with offers)
McKinnley Jackson, 4-star DT, George County, Miss.
Kris Abrams-Draine, WR, Spanish Fort, Ala.
Branard Wright, DT, Dallas, Texas
Kelin Burle, OLB, Harvey, La.
Dustin Dyson, TE/DE, Hammond , La.
2020 prospects (without offers)
Jacobi Bellazin, 4-star WR, Livonia, La.
Kayshon Boutte, WR, New Iberia, La.
Seth McGowan, WR, Mesquite, Texas
Courtland Ford, 4-star OT, Cedar Hill, Texas
Ken Seals, 4-star QB, Weatherford, Texas
TJ Finley, QB, Ponchatoula, La.
Kenean Caldwell, DT, Oak Grove, La.
Rae’Kwon Starks, DB, Harvey, La.
Jacquelin Roy, DT, Baton Rouge, La.
Trenton Grow, ATH, Edgard, La.
Jackson, a former commitment, will be one of the top prospects in the 2020 class, although Alabama will be hot on his tail as well. Bellazin, a diminutive but very explosive receiver, is a star on the seven-on-seven circuit, while Roy, another U-High prospect, is also slated to be a big-timer as well.
We’ll work to be ready with any potential commitments, as well as recap the weekend.
In other news, reports and rumors are linking LSU to Stanford cornerback Terrence Alexander, who will be looking to graduate transfer. A New Orleans native who came out of John Curtis as a three-star prospect in the 2014 class. Alexander missed all but the season opener in 2017 for the Cardinal, but played in every game of his first three seasons. At minimum, he’d have a chance to add some depth to a thin area of the 2018 team.