Defensive tackle Marsh will bring aggressive style to LSU line

Cassius Marsh, one of the top defensive tackles in the nation, committed to LSU today.

The announcement comes just two weeks after the 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman from Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) attended the Tigers' 13-3 loss to top-ranked Florida.

"Defensively, I don't think they could play any better," Marsh said.

Known as a dominant force at the line of scrimmage, Marsh originally committed to Cal last summer, but re-opened his search soon after, taking official visits to Oklahoma, Arizona State and LSU.

A pure run stopper, Marsh might be considered undersized at 270 pounds to play defensive tackle. He chose to stay at that weight over the summer but LSU coaches want him to add about 25 pounds of muscle.

Marsh, who plays alongside several Division I prospects at Oaks Christian, is far from a one-dimensional run stuffer. "They need linemen who not only stop the run, but also pressure the quarterback," Marsh said.

During his visit at LSU, Marsh said that he got a "good vibe" from the coaching staff and campus. He had narrowed down his final five to also include the three other programs he took official visits to and USC. The Trojans, despite being under an hour drive from Marsh's home, left a sour taste in his mouth.

"USC got really impatient with me," Marsh said. "It got to the point where they told me they would need to re-evaluate me if I took much longer to decide."

Marsh insists he is firm on his decision. With family 10 minutes away from LSU's campus, the U.S. Army All-American feels he will have no issues adjusting to Cajun country. While he notes that the accent is a bit foreign to him and things are more laid back in Louisiana, he's looking forward to everything about his new home.

Well, almost everything.

"I'm sure I'll have a little struggle with the heat and the weather, it gets really hot down there," Marsh said. "I imagine that during the first few weeks, I'll be sweating like a pig."

DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) safety Michael Coley (6-2, 205) will take an official visit to Cal on Dec. 13. Coley has 4.45 speed and holds offers from West Virginia, Michigan, Virginia Tech and Pitt ... Next month will be busy in Chapel Hill as Butch Davis will entertain Philadelphia defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd on Nov. 6 and a slew of blue-chippers including two big-time defensive backs in David Amerson and Prince Kent on Nov. 14 ... Having thrown for 2,650 yards and 20 touchdowns in eight games, Texas-bred quarterback Michael Pruneau was receiving interest from some major programs, but committed to Harvard last week.