Recruiting Round Up - All Star Week | January

[Bud Lee]

Below is a write up of some LSU recruits and at the end it list some guys that will be playing in some upcoming games. Do y’all have in prospects playing in the games listed below?

With the big addition of quarterback Gunner Kiel, LSU is nearly done with the 2012 recruiting class. Kiel was LSU’s 22nd commitment in the class, which would leave room for just three more players.

Current commitment Davante Bourque appears to be looking around, and LSU does not seem to be terribly active in stopping in him. At this point, I’d be surprised if the state’s seventh best player signed with LSU. I suspect he will ultimately find a home elsewhere with Tennessee and Miami being possible destinations.


At the same time, it looks more and more likely that Jeremy Hill will end up as a part of this LSU class. Many thought Hill was the best running back in the state last year, ahead of Kenny Hilliard and Terrance Magee.
It also looks more and more like Patterson linebacker Lorenzo Phillips (pictured) will be a Tiger. Phillips was once a Florida commitment but seems comfortable with LSU right now. Most seem to think that he’ll commit to LSU without much fanfare, either on his January 20 visit or shortly after.


The big question on everyone’s mind is, of course, what Landon Collins will do. He is set to announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American Game on January 5th. A ton of differing opinions are flying around as to where Collins will announce on Thursday. Some are convinced he is heading to Tuscaloosa. But after taking everything in, I feel like he’s going to choose LSU. I do not have a ton of confidence in saying that, but forced to make a prediction, that’s my choice. I’ll let you know if my opinion changes.


I’m also hearing that Hahnville safety and LSU commitment Jerqwinick Sandolph may have some academic issues that could prevent him from ultimately being a part of this class. However, we often see kids with academic issues pull through and qualify.


If LSU loses Bourque and possibly Sandolph, but adds Hill and Phillips, then that puts them at 22 or 23 commitments. If they add Collins, then they’re at 23 or 24. Either way, LSU still has room to spend January chasing some big fish in hopes to pull a Signing Day surprise a la Sam Montgomery or Ego Ferguson.


So who could be some of the big fish that LSU will chase?
First is Denton, TX defensive lineman Mario Edwards, who is widely considered to be one of the top defensive line prospects in the nation. Edwards was a long time commitment to Florida State, but is looking around now. He is still considering FSU, along with Texas, LSU, and Oklahoma. Earlier this weekend, he had some things to say about Oklahoma that were not too flattering. He is visiting Texas next weekend and scheduled to visit LSU on January 20th. If Edwards makes that visit, then LSU may have a shot. I’ll say that things are very doubtful for LSU until he actually makes that visit.


Another big target will be Miramar, FL (Miami area) cornerback Tracy Howard, who is a consensus five star player. Howard was thought to be a heavy lean to Florida but is now talking up LSU more and more. He was originally going to announce his commitment (to Florida) at this week’s US Army All-American game, but has not postponed a decision until after he visits LSU on January 20. He says he will announce a decision after his LSU visit. LSU may have a real shot here.
With all of the High School All Star games taking place this week, we tend to get some tidbits on how the guys look in practice.
At the Offense-Defense last week, LSU commitment Dwayne Thomas was consistently mentioned as one of the top performers in practice.
With these games also come some combines for underclassmen. A number of Louisiana prospects for the Class of 2013 are competing in Orlando at the Under Armour underclassmen combine. T

he following guys are there and have drawn some positive reviews from those in attendance.

CB Noel Ellis Karr HS TE Desean Smith Barbe HS TE Standish Dobbard Karr HS
WR John Diarse Neville HS
WR Raheem Falkins Carver HS
Some other top Louisiana prospects that could earn early offers at upcoming Junior Days include:
WR/ATH Rickey Jefferson Destrehan HS ATH Ronald Lewis West Jefferson HS OL Kenneth Santa Maria McDonough 35 HS
DB/ATH Jeryl Brazil Loranger HS (LSU Commitment)
ATH/QB Kendell Beckwith East Felciana HS

Below is a list of LSU commitments, targets, and other notable commitments to SEC schools that will be playing in the two major all-star games.

US Army All-American Bowl (Jan 7, 12:00 NBC)
West LB/DE Torshiro Davis (LSU Commitment) QB Zeke Pike (Auburn Commitment) RB T.J. Yeldon (Alabama Commitment) WR Bralon Addison (Texas A&M Commitment)
WR Dorian Green-Beckham (nation’s #1 WR and Arkansas target)
RB Trey Williams (Texas A&M Commitment)
East QB Gunner Kiel (LSU Commitment) CB Tracy Howard (LSU and Florida target) QB Anthony Alford (LSU Target?)
OL D.J. Humphries (nation’s top OT and Florida commitment)
CB Geno Smith (Alabama commitment)

Under Armour All American Game (Jan 5, 5:30 ESPN)
Black
S Landon Collins (LSU / Bama Target)
CB Josh Holsey (Auburn Commitment
White WR Avery Johnson (LSU Commitment) LB Ronnie Feist (LSU Commitment) DE Channing Ward (LSU Target) DL Mario Edwards (LSU / Texas / FSU Target)
DS Reid Ferguson (LSU Commitment)
OL Vadal Alexander (LSU Commitment

)