2022 Football Recruiting Big Board: Offense

After a third-straight top-five class in 2021, LSU is already in good shape for 2022, currently second in the nation behind only Ohio State. With 10 commits already on board, there’s only 15 spots open (unless they carryover the remaining spot from the 2021 class), a good place to be in between the current class ranking and a dead period still going through May 31. How do the Tigers fill out the remaining spots in their class? Settle in, get comfortable and follow along.

QUARTERBACK

Already Committed:

The son of former Tiger Jamie Howard, Walker has already seen his stock rising, becoming a composite five-star quarterback. With Garrett Nussmeier an early enrollee from the 2021 class and the vast improvement from Max Johnson over the course of last season, the QB position appears to be in good hands.

Top Targets: None

Other Names of Note: None

RUNNING BACK

Already Committed: None

A dead period throughout the whole 2020 recruiting season would normally not be a kind welcoming party for a first-year position coach; but Kevin Faulk flexed his muscle, obtaining the player he circled in on early in Corey Kiner before venturing into Alabama and nabbing Auburn de-commit Armoni Goodwin. Taking two last year likely means they go for that same number this year, and can be a little more selective.

Top Targets:

Expect the two backs to come from these three options with Moss and Citizen the likely candidates. In these days of social media exposure with recruiting, Le’veon Moss has taken a quiet approach to it all, but expect the good guys in the end. TreVonte’ Citizen is a filled-out 6’0 210 pound back that shows surprising athleticism for a guy his size, and could potentially see a Devin White-esque transfer to linebacker if he outgrows the position. If that happens, Trevor Etienne would be the next in line to fill out the class. The younger brother of Clemson running back Travis Etienne, Trevor doesn’t have the speed of his older brother, but still has enough shiftiness to be a continuous threat.

Other Names of Note: Rayshon Luke, Omarion Hampton

WIDE RECEIVER

Already Committed:

Mickey Joseph must be looking for an early recruiting vacation with his haul so far for 2022. After a solid five-receiver haul in 2021 (four with the likely move for Jack Bech to TE), Joseph wasted little time in his transition to the 2022 class with three commitments in what will be an assumed four-player class. That quick start will come in handy with the impending battle for Shazz Preston out of St. James.

The speedy Aaron Anderson highlights the class as the most ready due to his competition at Edna Karr. AJ Johnson played in his first season at Newman and showcased his athleticism to go along with his 6’4” frame. Expect another rise up the rankings next season as he gets one more year in with 2023 quarterback and roommate Arch Manning (another plus to have an in-road into that high-profile recruitment). An almost assured spot on the All-Name Team, DeColdest Crawford is criminally underrated that if he’s your fourth receiver in a class, you’ve done well for yourself.

Top Targets:

Shazz Preston is the frontrunner to claim that fourth and likely final wide receiver spot if he so chooses. He has stated he has no issue going out of state, but Mickey Joseph and this staff has done a solid job of reassuring him that home is where the heart is. If he does head elsewhere like Clemson, in-state options Leroy Paige and Theron Johnson will battle it out for that spot, unless Joseph can haul in a Jack Hunt err...Devery Henderson Hail Mary with McMillan.

Other Names of Note: Leroy Paige, Theron Johnson, Chris Marshall

TIGHT END

Already Committed: None

With the departure of Arik Gilbert, the tight end room is becoming a little barren in terms of contributors. Kole Taylor was the only player to get significant playing time returning from last season. Taylor is backed up by former LSU pitcher Nick Storz, a player who has had trouble finding a true position in Devonta Lee, and Aaron Moffitt, the son of LSU strength & conditioning coach Tommy. The 2021 class did bring in Jalen Shead, but was absent a true pass-catching tight end that Peetz and Mangas will use in their offense, unless you count the likely transition of Jack Bech to the position. While the odds of having two tight ends in the class are slim, there is a possibility of it for depth purposes.

Top Targets:

Jake Johnson, the younger brother of Max Johnson, is as close to a shoo-in for this class as you’d get. Something drastic would need to happen with Max for anything other than an LSU commit to happen. Trent McGaughey, the son of former LSU Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey, would likely be an option if the Tigers want to expand this tight end class to two players.

Other Names of Note: Holden Staes, Marcus Peterson

OFFENSIVE LINE

Already Committed:

Undoubtedly the biggest area of need on offense and likely the entire roster, James Cregg has already filled up three spots in what will be at least a five-player class. Will Campbell is the highest ranked offensive lineman to come out of the state since Cam Robinson back in 2014, and still has his senior year to improve on that number. Campbell has the skill to be a plug-and-play starter at tackle. An almost-forgotten member of the 2022 class due to committing back in August of 2020, Lucas Taylor has prototypical size and a mean streak suitable for a solid offensive guard at the next level. Bo Bordelon, the son of former Tiger Ben Bordelon, has solid athleticism for the position, but remains to be seen if it will still be there after adding a necessary 25-plus pounds to handle the rigors of the SEC.

Top Targets:

Expect to see this offensive line class grow to four when Emery Jones announces his commitment sometime in Mid-March. One of the fastest risers up the rankings, Jones likely projects moving inside to guard at the next level, but could still stay out at tackle. While Malik Agbo may be way up in Washington, he has formed strong bonds with a number of members of the 2022 class, including Walker Howard and Will Campbell, taking a strong liking to LSU. With Austin Thomas back in the fold as general manager (an odd position for a college team, but I’m all for it), expect to see LSU head back into Tennessee and the massive Jacob Hood is one of those guys. LSU normally ventures into Texas for a couple of recruits in each class and Devon Campbell could be one of those possibilities, but with Texas A&M coming off their best year and Sarkisian’s new-hire momentum at Texas, it will be a tougher battle. Booker and Armella are both Florida recruits that the staff has circled with Armella getting a little more attention. Cam East is one that could benefit form a camp season to put his impressive frame and wingspan on display. He is another that could be a late addition to this class.

Other Names of Note: Kelvin Banks, Kam Dewberry, Jaylen Early,

SPECIAL TEAMS

Already Committed: None

Targets of Note: None

Cade York secured his spot as the best kicker in the SEC, and will hold place-kicking duties at LSU for the next two years. The 30-year-old punter Zach Von Rosenberg has finally departed LSU, but Peyton Todd, the No. 1 punter in the 2021 class, will hold down that fort for next year at least. Avery Atkins will handle kickoff duties one more year, so expect a walk-on offer to go out or in-house options like Zeke Mata or Preston Stafford to assume that role starting in 2022.

These certainly aren’t the only ones being looked at right now and the board may be vastly different in the span of a couple of months (hopefully if the Dead Period finally comes to a close and we can get a legitimate camp season), but these are the names most likely to be a part of this class come December.