Top Position Needs for LSU Tigers 2016 Recruiting Class
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The LSU Tigers 2016 recruiting class is absolutely loaded at a couple of key positions but lagging in a few other areas as National Signing Day draws near. The Tigers have 19 verbal commitments with a heavy emphasis on defense and on the outside on offense.
The race is on for Feb. 3, when the majority of the Class of 2016 players will sign their letters of intent and wrap up the recruiting season heading into the next college football season. In an attempt to narrow the focus of where the LSU staff will focus their efforts over the next month, this is a breakdown of who could go where and which players the Tigers are pushing hard to land.
Quarterback – High Need
LSU thought they had their need(s) at quarterback wrapped up with Feleipe Franks but the indecision about Les Miles’ future in Baton Rouge heading into the Texas A&M game disrupted that relationship. The Wakulla High School talent decommitted and within days decided to stay in-state committing to the Florida Gators.
The Tigers have offers out to Shea Patterson (Ole Miss), Brandon Peters (Michigan), Dwyane Haskins (Maryland), Jarrett Guarantano (Tennessee), and Jawon Pass (Louisville). Most of the top rated pro-style quarterbacks are committed other than Liberty Chrisitan’s Nick Starkel (Argyle, TX). The same is true for dual-threat quarterbacks with the exception of Victor Viramontes (Norco, CA) and Armani Rogers (Los Angeles, CA). Of the two, LSU has only showed some interest in Rogers.
The other options are to start targeting teams that have multiple quarterbacks committed like Oregon (Tristen Wallace and Terry Wilson), Louisville (Tylin Oden and Jawon Pass), or North Carolina (Chazz Surratt and Logan Byrd). Attention could be turned in-state to Lindsey Scott Jr. (Syracuse), Cole Kelley (Arkansas), or Keondre Wudtee (Louisiana Tech). Of the three, Kelley fits the mold of a pro-style quarterback a little more than Wudtee or Scott.
Haskins is a strong play with a reported official visit coming in January to Baton Rouge but Texas A&M is gunning hard for Haskins as well.
Offensive Linemen – High Need
One of the strengths of LSU’s game is the ability to run the ball built upon excellent blocking up front. The Tigers have two commitments here with Donavaughn Campbell and Jakori Savage but would more than likely look to add at least two if not three more. The Tigers have a lot of irons in the proverbial fire here with offers out to E.J. Price (Lawrenceville, GA), Jean Delance (Mesquite, TX), Willie Allen (New Orleans, LA), Scott Lashley (West Point, MS), and John Simpson (North Charleston, SC).
Willie Allen seems like a good bet considering the multiple unofficial visits he has taken to Baton Rouge. TCU and Georgia are also in the mix. Price is set for an official visit on Jan. 22, but are up against Michigan State, Tennessee, USC, Oklahoma, and Auburn. Auburn gets the last visit on Jan. 29. Delance announced at the Under Armour All-American Game siding with Texas, but stranger things have happened on the recruiting trail. LSU hosted Delance on Dec. 5 and Les Miles made an in-home visit on Dec. 7. Michigan hosted Delance on Dec. 11. Lashley is believed to be headed to Mississippi State and many believe Simpson will stay in-state choosing between Clemson and South Carolina. LSU hosted the Fort Dorchester star on Nov. 14.
Running Back – Medium Need
Odd to think that LSU needs a running back at any point in time with all of the great talent that have torn up the SEC in recent years. The Tigers signed four running backs in the 2015 class with Derrius Guice getting extensive playing time behind star sophomore running back Leonard Fournette. Fournette will be back next year as will Guice making this a low position of need for next season. But recruiting is not always for next season but for the next three to five years, depending on the player, thus making taking a running back in the 2016 class a medium need.
The top target is North Webster running back Devin White. Every other college football team in the nation wants White as well with Alabama and Arkansas being in the running for the Springhill native’s talents.
Filling in the Gaps
So say LSU fills in one spot at quarterback (20), two at offensive line (22), and one at running back (23). If the Tigers take a full class there are two spots remaining which will be open to the best available. The following is a list of some of the top talent currently uncommitted from the state of Louisiana the Tigers might have a shot at landing come National Signing Day.
CB Kristian Fulton, 6’0”, 175 lbs, Rummel, Metairie, LA
Many believe the Under Armour All-American is a shoo-in for the Tigers but Arkansas and Florida are pushing hard for his signature with Arkansas getting an official from him on Jan. 22 and Florida on Jan. 29. Alabama offered on Christmas Eve adding some intrigue to the recruiting process.
CB Shyheim Carter, 5’10”, 185 lbs, Kentwood HS, Kentwood, LA
Carter, another Under Armour All-American, is a tough one to read. He has made multiple unofficial visits to LSU, Alabama, and Ole Miss. Georgia has been considered as a possible landing spot as well but now that Mark Richt is in Miami, the Canes could be a late push also.
DT Rashard Lawrence, 6’3”, 300 lbs, Neville HS, Monroe, LA
Depending on the recruiting service, Lawrence is either a 5- or 4-star recruit. No matter how one adds it up he is one of the better defensive tackles in the 2016 recruiting class. Ohio State is in play after an unofficial visit over the summer and an official on Oct. 17. UCLA also hosted Lawrence back in October but the Bruins seem out of the picture. With Miles closing strong on this year’s recruiting class do not be surprised if they land yet another defensive tackle who could contribute as a freshman.
DT D’Andre Christmas-Giles, 6’4”, 295 lbs, St. Augustine HS, New Orleans, LA
Christmas-Giles recently decommitted from Tennessee opening up the doors for a couple of programs, LSU being one of those schools. On Tuesday, the 4-star tackle tweeted out his Top 7 listing: South Carolina, LSU, Texas, TCU, Ole Miss, Florida, and Arkansas in order. He’s releasing his Top 3 on NSD. If LSU wants/needs him, Miles may keep a spot open for him. The class could also be full by the time he decides to commit unless he is a silent commit already???
LSU 2016 Commitment List (19)
OL Donavaughn Campbell, 6’5”, 340 lbs, Ponchatoula H.S., Ponchatoula, LA
OL Jakori Savage, 6’5”, 276 lbs, Baldwin County, Bay Minette, AL
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
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
K Connor Culp, 5’10”, 195 lbs, Desert Vista HS, Phoenix, AZ
Photo credit: testudotimes.com; Dwayne Haskins at an Elite 11 camp.