LSU Adds Two In-State Recruits to 2017 Recruiting Class

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Tigers just wrapped up a unanimous Top 10 recruiting class on Feb. 3 with a great haul of 2016 players and have started laying the foundation for yet another great class landing two prospects on Saturday in Jontre Kirklin and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has always seemingly been a commitment to the Tigers or at least a commitment waiting to happen. The Baton Rouge Catholic High School (10-3) star has camped with LSU and made several unofficial visits during the 2015 season being a part of Death Valley game day activities.

Catholic – B.R. was one of the top teams in the state of Louisiana in 2015 winning a state title topping Archbishop Rummel (Metaire) 31-28 in a thriller with Edwards-Helaire winning MVP honors. For the season, the 5’8”, 196 pound, talent had 22 total touchdowns compiling 2,610 all-purpose yards with 1,310 rushing yards. He was effective in all aspects of the game as a kick returner and in the passing game out of the backfield and in the slot. Edwards-Helaire picked LSU over offers from Oklahoma, Memphis, Southern Miss, Texas-San Antonio, Cincinnati, and Iowa State.

The recruiting process did not take long with Jontre Kirklin for LSU. On Jan. 26, the Tigers staff offered him and sealed the deal with an unofficial visit to campus on Saturday. LSU was the first reported offer for Kirklin with Nicholls State and Tulane also extending offers.

Kirkland was also part of a top Louisiana program in 2015 helping the Bulldogs to a 14-1 record winning the most important game of the season, the last one in the state championship. Lutcher High School beat St. James 41-14 to capture the top honors. Kirkland fits the “athlete” role well passing for 2,320 yards with 37 touchdowns against just six interceptions and ran for 1,069 yards with another 18 scores.

LSU 2017 Verbal Commitment List

DT Tyler Shelvin, 6-3, 300, Northside HS, Lafayette, LA

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 5-8, 196, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, LA

ATH Jontre Kirklin, 5-11.5, 166, Lutcher HS, Lutcher, LA

Photo credit: theadvocate.com; Jontre Kirklin tries to break free against St. James.