LSU Recruiting Notebook: What's Next on "The Trail" for the Tigers?
Flip season has begun on the recruiting trail with the Early Signing Period just two months away and LSU is seeing their efforts pay off in a big way.
We saw the Tigers successfully flip a trio of 2024 prospects this week as they continue bolstering the current cycle, but could more be on the way?
Brian Kelly and his staff took advantage of the bye week in order to hit the road and make trips to current commitments as well as priority targets. As we begin the weekend, visits will continue to prized prospects.
What’s the latest on the recruitment trail? Who are the Tigers pursuing? Are there JUCO targets in mind?
The Recruiting Notebook:
The Additions: Bernard Causey, PJ Woodland and Weston Davis
It’s flip season and the LSU football program has seen immediate success on “The Trail” after bringing in a trio of former SEC commitments. It all started with Mississippi State pledge PJ Woodland revealing he’d be taking his talents to Baton Rouge.
The 6-foot, 160-pounder out of Mississippi became the first domino to fall the Tigers’ way this week after he announced on Sunday night. A key piece to rebuilding the LSU cornerback room, this was a commitment the Tigers were pushing for in a big way.
But it didn't stop there… 48 hours later, Ole Miss commitment Bernard Causey backed off of his pledge to Lane Kiffin’s program and revealed a pledge to LSU 24 hours after.
With the addition of the coveted cornerback, the Tigers added a pair of key players to the 2024 class, specifically in the secondary.
Then… Thursday night happened. Offensive line coach Brad Davis pulled off one of the biggest moves on the recruiting trail LSU will have this season. Davis successfully flipped Texas A&M commitment Weston Davis.
Davis, a five-star offensive tackle out of Beaumont (Tex.) made the decision after a visit with [Brad] Davis on Thursday. It became a monumental addition for the Bayou Bengals with this program now securing a five-star offensive lineman in the last three recruiting cycles.
Davis may not be the last Texas A&M pledge to flip…
The Flip Targets: Dre’lon Miller, Terry Bussey and Gabriel Reliford
Kelly and Co. have been pursuing 4-star wide receiver Dre’lon Miller for quite some time. The electrifying wideout has been on LSU’s radar, and despite the coveted prospect committing to A&M over the summer, the Tigers continued their pursuit.
A visit to Death Valley in October changed things. Shortly after the visit, Miller backed off of his pledge to Jimbo Fisher’s program with all signs pointing LSU’s way. The blue-chip prospect will visit USC and Colorado in November, along with a trip to Baton Rouge, and the Tigers remain the team to beat here.
The big fish that committed to Texas A&M this fall is five-star athlete Terry Bussey. He’s as coveted as they come and LSU remains in his ear. There is mutual interest between the Tigers and Bussey’s camp as he stays committed to the Aggies, but it’ll certainly be a situation to monitor.
As the Aggies’ struggles continue, programs from all over the country will poach their recruits, including LSU. With former A&M pledge Weston Davis on board and Miller now trending the Bayou Bengals’ way, could we see Bussey reopen his recruitment?
Time will tell…
There's More: The JUCO Targets
The 2024 recruiting cycle isn't limited to just players at the high school ranks. This program can also add fresh faces via the JUCO level with a trio of players to keep tabs on.
Shone Washington... The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder has received several offers over the last few months, but a recent visit to Baton Rouge could see LSU gain serious momentum. It's Brian Kelly's goal to lock down the state of Louisiana, especially with players who have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal with ties to the state.
For Washington, it could be a match made in heaven. He was once committed to the purple and gold in high school before backing off of his pledge. With familiarity to LSU, the Tigers could certainly make an early impression.
Jaden Hamlin... Over the last month, LSU has dished out a handful of offers to JUCO guys with the latest going to the No. 1 defensive lineman: Jaden Hamlin.
Hamlin, who plays his ball at Southwest Mississippi Community College, has been a hot commodity on the recruiting trail as of late. Hamlin, a 6-foot-3, 305 pound monster, will be back at the Power Five level come next season with the chance to be a force sooner rather than later.
Antonio Alfano... The former No. 1 recruit in the 2019 cycle, Alfano is emerging as the top player in JUCO ball. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive lineman currently plays at Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania as he continues a surge up the rankings. Look for the former Alabama pledge to continue being a hot commodity on the recruiting scene with LSU turning up the heat.
