The Buzz: LSU Football Prepping for Massive Recruiting Month of March
Brian Kelly and the LSU football staff are preparing for an important stretch on the recruiting trail during the month of Match.
Next weekend, LSU will bring in several coveted targets in both the 2025 and 2026 classes, but the next four weeks will be integral in what the Tigers build for the long haul.
Here's the latest on three important visitors set to be in Baton Rouge this month:
DJ Pickett: No. 1 Cornerback in America
The No. 1 safety in the 2025 cycle made his way to "The Boot" to check out the scenes of Death Valley last month and has now set a return trip to LSU.
After getting a glimpse of what the purple and gold are all about during his first trip, Pickett has now locked in another visit on March 8.
The top defensive back on Corey Raymond's Big Board will be in town with this program getting another crack at the coveted target.
Pickett, who's cruised up the recruiting rankings over the last few months, is focused on: LSU, Georgia, Miami, Florida, Florida State and Oregon.
Now, he's locked in an unofficial visit schedule for the spring with LSU getting the first look.
The Buzz on Pickett's First Visit Down South Last Month:
Corey Raymond Leading the Charge
Despite only being on staff for a little over a month, Raymond is handling business on "The Trail."
During his previous coaching stint at LSU from 2012-2021, Raymond coached seven players who earned first-team All-America honors along with four first round NFL Draft picks. He had another five players selected in the second round of the NFL Draft and also coached the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award winner Grant Delpit.
Raymond is a former standout defensive back for the Tigers and later went on play six seasons in the NFL.
“Corey’s passion for LSU and the desire for our program to have the best defensive back unit in the country really stood out,” Kelly said following the hire. “Corey’s tremendous knowledge and experience, along with his recruiting success, make him a great addition to a strong defensive staff."
Now, he's had an opportunity to wine and dine the No. 1 defensive back in America with Pickett making his way to Baton Rouge for a big-time first unofficial visit.
Pickett had been in contact with Raymond during his stint with the Florida Gators. Now, after making a return to LSU, he's made an impact on Pickett.
For the Tigers, it's clear the impact Corey Raymond has already had on this program. LSU reeled in a commitment from the No. 7 cornerback in America, Jaboree Antoine, last month as this program retools its secondary.
Keylan Moses and Other Tigers Drop In
During last month's visit, LSU rolled out the red carpet with members of the Tigers' 2025 recruiting class dropping in to visit with Pickett.
The top recruiter for the 2025 class has been four-star linebacker Keylan Moses and he made sure to check in with Pickett before he departed.
The two went through a photoshoot, discussed future plans and more, sources tell LSU Country.
Along with Moses popping in, 2024 signees DaShawn McBryde and Joel Rogers made an appearance at Pickett's visit.
The trio of safeties took pictures together while the pair of Tigers provided their pitch to Pickett.
What's Next?
Pickett's Summer Official Visit Schedule:
LSU: June 1
Georgia: June 7
Miami: June 14
Oregon: June 21
The Buzz: LSU made significant movement in Pickett's recruitment with the first visit going "very well," sources tell LSU Country.
The Tigers believe they are certainly near the top of his list, if not at the top after a successful first visit to Baton Rouge.
James Simon: No. 11 Running Back in America
Brian Kelly and Co. have been adamant about locking down Louisiana and building a wall around the state when it comes to The Boot's best players.
Now, the Tigers have secured commitments from six of the Top 10 prospects with one more trending their way.
LSU has continued its push for the No. 4 overall player in Louisiana: James Simon.
The No. 2 running back in the Bayou State and Top 10 back in the 2025 cycle is quickly trending LSU's way after visits with the coaching staff.
Looking ahead to March 24, Simon will be in Baton Rouge for an unofficial visit to campus where he will be joined by several priority prospects.
The Recent Visit: Frank Wilson Travels to Shreveport
Recruiting guru Frank Wilson and quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan checked in on the No. 2 running back in Louisiana last month after traveling up to Shreveport.
The four-star, Top 10 back in the 2025 cycle has been wined and dined by the top programs in the country with the Bayou Bengals looking to keep the Calvary Baptist star in The Boot.
Wilson, the Tigers' running backs coach, has already locked in a pledge from the No. 1 back in America, Harlem Berry, with Simon looking to be his next target.
Simon has been trending LSU's way for months, but with no commitment date set, this program will continue putting their foot on the gas in order to secure his services.
The 2025 class has the chance to be a program changer for the purple and gold. With commitments from Bryce Underwood (No. 1 QB), Harlem Berry (No. 1 RB) and Dakorien Moore (No. 1 WR), Brian Kelly and Co. aren't messing around.
The offensive weapons are remarkable and LSU is looking to assemble an impressive one-two punch in the backfield with Berry and Simon.
Now, the Tigers have completed a visit with their top running back target after an in-person check in last month with another trip coming during the weekend of March 24.
During the last month's check in, it also gave the staff a chance to meet with Devin Harper, a four-star offensive lineman who plays his high school ball alongside Simon.
Harper recently revealed his pledge to the purple and gold with LSU looking to do the same with Simon.
After speaking with those familiar with Simon's recruitment, LSU Country has now logged a prediction for the No. 4 ranked player to join LSU's loaded 2025 class. Despite a commitment date not set in stone, by the time Simon puts pen to paper, we believe he will be a member of the Tigers' class.
Following the trip to see Simon, Wilson and Sloan then hopped on a flight up to Michigan last month to visit with the No. 1 prospect in America: Bryce Underwood.
The prized recruit revealed his commitment to LSU on Jan. 6 and this program is wasting no time in getting more face time with their program changing player.
The Tigers will now look to remain hot on "The Trail" as they battle for Simon's services.
Micah DeBose: No. 3 IOL in America
The top interior offensive lineman in the 2025 cycle made his way to Baton Rouge to meet with Brad Davis and the staff earlier this month, and after the trip, the Bayou Bengals began making noise.
Now, the Tigers are trending for the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in America after DeBose's visit after a pair of crystal balls were logged last week.
On3's Chad Simmons logged his prediction as did Anna Adams of 247Sports.
After speaking with those familiar with DeBose's recruitment, it's clear LSU is making noise and has become the program to beat for his services.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder received a visit from Davis in Alabama earlier this month with DeBose then traveling down to The Boot to see what the purple and gold are all about during the first weekend of February.
A former Georgia commit, DeBose reopened his recruitment process with several elite programs making their rounds.
Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and USC are just a few of the top schools in America dialed in on DeBose as he navigates his recruitment.
Auburn remains a school making noise in his recruitment, but DeBose is feeling out a myriad of schools as they come filing in post-Georgia decommitment.
LSU holds a pair of 2025 offensive line commitments in Brett Bordelon and recent pledge Devin Harper.
Harper, the No. 3 player in Louisiana, announced his commitment to Brad Davis and the Tigers just weeks ago after a successful visit to Baton Rouge as well.
The Tigers hold America's No. 1 recruiting class in the 2025 cycle with more splashes coming sooner rather than later for a program dominating the recruiting trail.
DeBose will be a name to monitor in the coming weeks as he works through his process with LSU quickly becoming the team to beat.
