LSU Target JJ Harrell Backs Off Of Tennessee Commitment
Four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell has backed off of his commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers after pledging to Josh Heupel’s program earlier this year.
Harrell, a priority target for Brian Kelly and the Tigers, has reopened his recruitment and will look elsewhere to play his college ball.
With LSU being heavily in the mix, we could see wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton put his foot on the gas for the dynamic playmaker out of Mississippi.
Earlier this year, it was back-to-back weekends where Harrell was in SEC territory. He took visits to Tennessee then LSU. Following the two visits, Harrell had also made his way to Auburn to check out Hugh Freeze’s program.
There aren’t many wideouts of Harrell’s caliber in the 2024 class. A physical, do it all guy, he’s at the top of LSU’s wish list for next year’s cycle.
During his time in Baton Rouge earlier this year for a visit, it gave Harrell the chance to soak in the culture LSU is building. It was a big-time weekend for the Tigers, hosting several blue-chip recruits where Harrell had the opportunity to build relationships within the 2024 class.
At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Harrell utilizes his weight well for a youngster. Closing out his junior campaign with a bang, he has the attention of the top programs in the country. It'll be a battle for his services with several elite SEC programs in his ear.
With his recruitment wide open once again, he’s already teased photos in an LSU uniform. Could we see Kelly and Hankton go all in for the four-star Mississippi wideout?
Brian Kelly’s Recruiting Message:
“We’re going to identify the best prospects throughout the country and you’ll see that in this signing class. We’ll have players from the northeast, the midwest, the west coast. But our base will be Louisiana and the south,” Kelly said. “When you’re LSU and you have a brand that’s so recognizable, you can’t have blinders on either. Our scope and vision is national but it’s not like we’re pulling four guys out of every state. We’re gonna have a heavy influence in the state of Louisiana, like we should.”
“I think within a calendar year we could be looking to turn over 70 scholarships,” Kelly said. “I certainly don’t think it’s going to be in the mid to high 30s [as the norm]. I think that’s outside the lines. I do believe the high 20s is going to be the norm. I remember years where it was 18, I think those days are over.”
“You don’t want to jump every year into the transfer portal when it comes to the cornerback position. We did this year because there was such a need to put together a representative group. I think there’s gonna be a heavy influence on freshmen and that’s the way we want to build,” Kelly said. “Does that mean we won’t look at transfers? No, it doesn’t mean we’ll close the door on that, but last year they were one year and done. We’re not looking in that respect. Corners would have to have more than one season of competition left if we go that route.”
