LSU Recruiting: Names To Know As The Month Of June Winds Down
Brian Kelly and his staff put together a monster official visitors list last weekend with several targets on their 2024 Big Board making their way to Baton Rouge for a three-day stay.
It was the final weekend of June before the recruiting dead period begins in July and this program made a lasting impression on a few prospects.
Headlined by five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman, four-star running back Caden Durham and four-star defensive back Cai Bates, Kelly’s staff brought in several elite recruits to Death Valley.
One could argue it was the biggest weekend of the summer for the LSU Tigers. This program currently sits with 17 members in their 2024 class, and after four-star safety Maurice Williams and Zion Ferguson revealed their decommitments from LSU, it opens room in the secondary.
A few notes before the month of July kicks off:
Offensive Line Reinforcements
The Tigers hosted a handful of priority offensive linemen last weekend, including monster target Ethan Calloway. It was important for LSU to give Calloway the red carpet treatment last weekend and it appears they did just that. The four-star lineman will reveal his college commitment on June 30 with LSU battling it out against his hometown school North Carolina State, Penn State and Florida. As it stands, LSU may have done enough to gain his commitment.
Along with Calloway, offensive line coach Brad Davis also had four-star target Blake Ivy in town. Ivy was in for an official visit with the Tigers looking to get his attention once again. A player who some in the industry have Texas A&M leading the race, LSU may be playing catch up for one of the top linemen in the country.
The Tigers have several big guys up front that they are keeping tabs on, but with Calloway nearing a decision, he’s certainly a top priority at the moment.
Skill Position Targets Touched Down
Cam Coleman and Caden Durham are two of the biggest targets remaining on the Big Board as the end of June nears. Along with the pair of superstars, LSU welcomed Jelani Watkins to town for a weekend stay as well.
Watkins isn’t very vocal on social media. He’s quiet about his recruitment, but his play does the talking. Like Durham, Watkins is a two-sport star who has the chance to carry his track and field success to the next level. Both Watkins and Durham were seen in Tiger Stadium late Friday night wearing some LSU track attire (as seen below):
Four-star wide receiver Jelani Watkins (left) and four-star running back Caden Durham (right) pose for photos in Tiger Stadium.
When it comes to Coleman, the Tigers are playing catch up in this one. He’s been all across the South this summer with LSU getting a last second rescheduled visit. He made his way to Baton Rouge where the Tigers had the chance to put it all out there for the five-star playmaker. With Cortez Hankton leading the recruitment charge, anything can happen.
Defensive Back Update
Four-star defensive back Cai Bates made his way to Death Valley for a formal stay with the Tigers. A player who is blowing up this summer, he was anticipated to reveal a college decision soon, but that could change as other programs enter his recruitment. LSU getting an official is important, and as they make a push, their presence has certainly been felt. It’ll be interesting to monitor his moves over the next few weeks. Bates is a versatile, athletic beast in the secondary. A player who epitomizes the LSU brand, this program has their foot on the gas for the standout defensive back who could make a decision in July.
A note to monitor is LSU losing a commitment last weekend from four-star safety, and Texas native, Maurice Williams. Williams took an official visit to Houston, and while in town, backed off of his pledge to LSU. The gifted prospect then revealed his pledge to the Cougars where he’ll stay at home to play for Houston at the next level.
A development as of late had been with former LSU commit Zion Ferguson. The four-star cornerback has been hearing from programs all over the country and North Carolina had their foot on the gas for the Georgia native. Ferguson made his way to Chapel Hill for an official visit last weekend where he made the decision to flip to the Tar Heels.
Colin Hurley, Ju’Juan Johnson Stop in Baton Rouge
Four-star quarterback commit Colin Hurley made his way to Baton Rouge once again this month as he continues his pursuit of Cam Coleman. It’s been made loud and clear that Hurley wants to team up with Coleman at the next level, making it a point to be in town for his official visit.
Hurley has been the most vocal 2024 commit when it comes to pursuing other players. Along with the elite signal-caller making his voice heard, Louisiana native Ju’Juan Johnson is doing the same. Johnson made the short drive to town from Lafayette last weekend for an unofficial visit where he’s helping lead the recruitment charge for players such as priority-target Cai Bates.
The Summary
Again, it was arguably the biggest recruiting weekend of the summer for this LSU Football program. With a handful of “must-have” targets in Baton Rouge, Brian Kelly and Co. put out the red carpet for them.
As the end of June nears, dominos will begin to fall in the 2024 class as they have been over the last 15 days. With four-star safety Joel Rogers, fast-rising wide receiver Kylan Billiot, four-star cornerback Ondre Evans and four-star wide receiver Michael Turner all making their commitments to LSU public, this program is heating up in a big way on the trail.
