Recruiting Notes: A Look Into LSU's Biggest Weekend of the Summer
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Brian Kelly and his staff are in the midst of a monster weekend on the recruiting trail with several targets on their 2024 Big Board making their way to Baton Rouge for a three-day stay.
Headlined by five-star wide receiver Cam Coleman, four-star running back Caden Durham and four-star defensive back Cai Bates, it’s heating up in Death Valley for the Tigers.
One could argue this is the biggest weekend of the summer for the LSU Tigers. This program currently sits with 18 members in their 2024 class, and after four-star safety Maurice Williams revealed his decommitment to LSU on Friday, it opens room in the secondary.
A few notes from this weekend thus far:
Offensive Line Reinforcements
The Tigers are currently hosting several priority offensive linemen this weekend, including monster target Ethan Calloway. It’s important for LSU to give Calloway the red carpet treatment this weekend, and so far, it appears they have. The four-star lineman will reveal his college commitment (June 30) five days after he departs Baton Rouge with LSU battling it out against his hometown school North Carolina State, Penn State and Florida.
Along with Calloway, offensive line coach Brad Davis also has four-star target Blake Ivy in town. Ivy is 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 will look to gain some traction this weekend as he continues his formal stay in Baton Rouge.
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 Touch 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 dynamic wide receiver Jelani Watkins to town for a weekend stay.
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):
Jelani Watkins (left) and Caden Durham (right) pose in Tiger Stadium for a photoshoot with LSU quarterback Rickie Collins, per Durham's Instagram.
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. Now, he’s 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.
Cai Bates poses in Tiger Stadium for a photoshoot on his official visit to LSU over the weekend, per Bates' Instagram.
A note to monitor is LSU losing a commitment on Friday night from four-star safety, and Texas native, Maurice Williams. Williams took an official visit to Houston over the weekend, 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 has been with LSU commit Zion Ferguson. The four-star cornerback has been hearing from programs all over the country and North Carolina has their foot on the gas for the Georgia native. Ferguson made his way to Chapel Hill for an official visit over the weekend where he could certainly be on flip watch. The Tar Heels have been pursuing Ferguson for quite some time, and after earning an official visit, there could be some chatter as to what’s next in his recruitment.
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 this weekend for an unofficial visit where he’s helping lead the recruitment charge for players like priority-target Cai Bates.
The Summary
Again, it’s 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 12 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.
After a productive weekend in Death Valley, more additions to the 2024 class could happen sooner rather than later.
