LSU Loads Up Heading into NSD with Commitments from OT Allen and DT Lawrence
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Recruiting rankings are not the end all be all or a 100 percent telltale sign that a program is headed for a national championship in a couple of years, but the rankings do serve some purpose gauging incoming talent. With that thought in mind, the gauge of talent headed to Baton Rouge in the 2016 recruiting class for LSU is scary good, especially on defense, with addition of two commitments in two days, offensive tackle Willie Allen and defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence.
Allen has been a behemoth at tackle for John Curtis High School paving a way towards success on the field. The Patriots posted a 12-2 record in 2014 and followed that up with an 8-3 season in 2015 before falling 24-10 to Archbishop Rummel in the playoffs.
The New Orleans area native has the size and frame to be a cornerstone tackle in the SEC for years to come. Listed at 6’7”, 300 pounds, college coaches across the nation coveted his talents with roughly 30 schools extending offers. Among the many hoping to land his services included Alabama, Notre Dame, UCLA, Arkansas, Florida, Auburn, Michigan, and Florida State. Allen took official visits to TCU (Dec. 4), Georgia (Dec. 11), and LSU (Jan. 15). Allen’s announcement was abrupt on Thursday surprising many especially the Mississippi State coaching staff along with their fans readying to host the big man this weekend. Allen’s fifth official visit was scheduled with Ole Miss for Jan. 29.
Over the last three seasons, one of the teams no one in the state of Louisiana wanted to play was Neville. The Tigers have been dominating of late going 12-1 in 2013, 13-1 in 2014 beating Easton 28-27 for a state title, and completed a perfect season in 2015 posting a 14-0 record topping Enda Karr 45-26 for a second consecutive state title. In the trenches for the Monroe team has been Lawrence.
Recruiting services varying on Lawrence’s star power ranging from a 5- to a 4-star but either way, LSU is getting a good one. The Tigers kept the in-state talent at home with Ohio State being the other top program in the mix for his Friday commitment. The 6’3”, 305 pound, talent has the ability to contribute as a true freshman. The sky is the limit for Lawrence mixed with God given abilities, size, and want-to in the weight room and on the field.
What LSU has headed to Baton Rouge is almost unfair. The defense is loaded highlighted by 5-star linebacker Erick Fowler and Lawrence. The trenches have been restocked with Glen Logan, Andre Anthony, Caleb Roddy, and Edwin Alexander. The secondary is full of speed and athleticism with 4-stars Cameron Lewis, Eric Monroe, and Saivion Smith.
The only weakness of the class on paper is the lack of a quarterback commit and just three offensive linemen.
LSU 2016 Commitment List (22)
OL Donavaughn Campbell, 6’5”, 340 lbs, Ponchatoula H.S., Ponchatoula, LA
OL Jakori Savage, 6’5”, 276 lbs, Baldwin County, Bay Minette, AL
OT Willie Allen, 6’7”, 300 lbs, John Curtis HS, River Ridge, LA
TE Jamal Pettigrew, 6’5”, 216 lbs, St. Augustine, New Orleans, LA
WR Dee Anderson, 6’3”, 173 lbs, West Mesquite, Mesquite, TX
WR Damonte Coxie, 6’3”, 185 lbs, East St. John HS, Reserve, LA
WR Drake Davis, 6’4”, 212 lbs, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
WR Stephen Sullivan, 6’5”, 230 lbs, Donaldsonville HS, Donaldsonville, LA
RB Devin White, 6’0.5”, 235 lbs, North Webster HS, Springhill, LA
LB Michael Divinity, 6’2”, 213 lbs John Ehret HS, Marrero, LA
LB Erick Fowler, 6’3”, 235 lbs, Manor HS, Manor, TX
DB Cameron Lewis, 6’1”, 195 lbs, Wossman HS, Monroe, LA
DB Eric Monroe, 6’0”, 180 lbs, North Shore HS, Houston, TX
CB Savion Smith, 6’1”, 183 lbs, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
CB Andraez Williams, 6’1”, 160 lbs, Calvary Baptist, Shreveport, LA
DE Andre Anthony, 6’3”, 225 lbs, Edna Karr HS, New Orleans, LA
DE Caleb Roddy, 6’5”, 245 lbs, Denham Spring HS, Denham Springs, LA
DE/LB Rahssan Thorton, 6’4”, 220 lbs, Shoemaker HS, Killeen, TX
DT Edwin Alexander, 6’3”, 325 lbs, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Hammond, LA
DT Glen Logan, 6’4”, 290 lbs, Destrehan HS, Destrehan, LA
DT Rashard Lawrence, 6’2”, 300, Neville HS, Monroe, LA
K Connor Culp, 5’10”, 195 lbs, Desert Vista HS, Phoenix, AZ
Photo credit: thenewsstar.com; No. 99 Rashard Lawrence looking like a member of Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain.