Visitors List: LSU Preparing For Monster Weekend On Recruiting Trail
LSU hosts its Bayou Splash recruiting event on Friday with several top targets making their way to Baton Rouge for another monster weekend on the trial.
The biggest day of the summer will be on Friday with the Tigers rolling out the red carpet for their high-profile visitors.
Brian Kelly and his coaching staff once again bring in a star-studded visitors list that includes five-star EDGE Colin Simmons and the No. 1 player in Louisiana, Dominick McKinley. Two of the top targets on LSU’s 2024 Big Board, this program is keeping its foot on the gas for the pair of five-stars.
But who else will make their way to town on Friday?
Here’s a look into the Bayou Splash Visitors List 1.0 with a few key targets set to be in Death Valley:
Colin Simmons - Five-star EDGE
The top pass rusher will be heading down to Death Valley for LSU’s Bayou Splash pool party this weekend with LSU getting a big-time unofficial visit from the Top 10 prospect nationally. Simmons, who is fresh off of a few visits this summer, will get to campus once again this year.
For Kelly and Co. to get Simmons back on campus surrounded by several high-priority targets is another win for this program. LSU will be battling it out with a number of elite programs as the recruitment of Simmons heats up even greater over the next few weeks.
Collins, who already sits at 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, is receiving calls from virtually every Power Five program in the country. Being prioritized by a handful of SEC schools, the Tigers are looking to separate themselves from the pack. For now, it appears to be a race between LSU and Texas for Simmons' services.
Caden Durham - Four-Star Running Back
Durham will make his way to Baton Rouge on Friday for LSU’s Bayou Splash event along with his teammate Colin Simmons. Simmons is close with Durham, making their appearance at the event that much more important.
For Durham, it’s been an LSU vs. Oklahoma battle all summer with the coveted running back making his way to both schools. A player who will also run track at the next level, both programs are selling him in that area as well.
Durham will reveal his college decision on August 25 and LSU continues keeping its foot on the gas for his services. With Frank Wilson leading the charge for the Tigers down the stretch, and another visit to Death Valley happening this weekend, can LSU take that next step and leave an impact on Durham before another recruiting dead period?
Dominick McKinley - Defensive Line - No. 1 Player in Louisiana
The five-star defensive lineman continues trimming his list ahead of his senior season with the Tigers being in the fold. Along with LSU, Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas, Ohio State and Texas A&M made the cut in his final six schools.
Kelly and Co. will have their work cut out for them in this one, but getting him back on campus is another stride in the right direction for LSU. The top prep player in Louisiana, the drastic growth McKinley has made over the last 14 months has been significant. Now, as he prepares for his final season of high school ball, a decision could come soon.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive lineman has been a high-riser over the last few months from a rankings perspective as well. A Lafayette, La. native, he’s a player who is at the top of the Tigers’ 2024 board.
McKinley has already been on LSU’s campus twice this year and will certainly make his way down to Baton Rouge again this fall with the Tigers looking to continue solidifying their position in his recruitment.
For LSU to get McKinley on campus for the Bayou Splash event is tremendous. A day where the Tigers will have their high-priority targets in town, it will go a long way in McKinley’s recruitment.
Wardell Mack - Cornerback - No. 4 Player in Louisiana
Mack’s recruitment continues to be a rollercoaster ride. LSU has felt in control for most of the offseason, but the Texas Longhorns remain a serious threat in his recruiting process as the summer winds down.
The top cornerback in Louisiana, Mack is a high-priority target as July moves on. With the Bayou Splash event going down on Friday, LSU getting Mack on campus is a win for Kelly and his staff. A player who would be the cherry on top to a stellar cornerback core in the 2024 class, Mack remains at the top of LSU’s Big Board.
LSU and Texas remain serious contenders with Florida and Florida State rounding out his Top 4 schools. The John Ehret (Marrero, La.) product will be a hot commodity on the recruiting trail heading into the fall.
Ory Williams - Offensive Line - Priority 2024 Target
Williams quickly became a top target for offensive line coach Brad Davis with LSU searching for more big guys up front. The Texas native has taken his fair share of visits including an official to Baton Rouge in June and will be back again on Friday for the Bayou Splash event.
Along with formally visiting the Tigers this summer, Williams made his way to Florida, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M for officials this summer. It was a busy June for the fast-rising tackle who could see his high three-star status boost to four stars sooner rather than later.
At 6-foot-6, 320 pounds, Williams has the ideal physical makeup of an SEC lineman and programs continue taking notice. Can LSU close the deal on Williams and add him to their 2024 class? It appears he could pop any day now.
Colin Hurley - Quarterback - 2024 Commit
LSU quarterback commit Colin Hurley will make his way down to Baton Rouge on Friday for a visit to LSU. The 2024 pledge will attend the Tigers Bayou Splash event with several top targets in attendance.
Hurley, the jewel of Brian Kelly’s 2024 class to this point, has played a pivotal role on the recruiting trail for the Tigers so far. Now, as he makes his way to Death Valley for the third time this summer, it’ll be another stretch for Hurley to work his magic.
LSU has put in work in the 2024 cycle but this squad is nowhere near finished just yet. This weekend will be the most important recruiting event of the summer, and with a handful of high-priority targets making their way to town, Hurley will once again play a major role.
