LSU recruiting is having an insane year and it is generating a buzz around the college football world. For years the story of recruiting in the SEC was always Alabama and Georgia, but this year the LSU Tigers are having a recruiting haul that may be the biggest in the school’s history and the best of the 2024 recruiting cycle in that storied conference.
Nothing But Four & Five Star Recruits
The 2024 incoming LSU recruiting class is not just massive with 29 commits but showcases quality everywhere with 17 four-star and 2 five-star recruits. This includes five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley and Tight End standout Trey’Dez Green. But maybe more importantly than just the level of talent the Tigers brought in, was where they were able to acquire them from.
Previously, it was not unusual for conference rivals to pilfer the Tiger’s home state, pulling talent to Austin, Texas or Tuscaloosa. However, when the signing period arrived early last month, a total 18 recruits from Louisiana decided to stay home instead of looking outside the state. Essentially, the Tigers locked down their home turf.
The Tigers Hit the Transfer Portal
Though most of hype has been on its incoming freshman class, the Tigers did not shy away from the transfer portal. In total, LSU has 8 incoming transfers, including QB AJ Swann from Vanderbilt, wide receive and homegrown product Zavion Thomas from Mississippi State, and cornerback Jyaire Brown, who left Ohio State to join the Tigers.
LSU Is Not Slowing Down
Building on the momentum of their massive haul, the Tigers are doubling down on their efforts for 2025. This weekend they hosted over 50 of the top recruits in the country. The event in Death Valley was already jumping with the news that the Tigers had nabbed the number one player in the 2025 cycle, QB Bryce Underwood. This was quickly followed by highly sought after four-star recruit, linebacker Charles Ross making his commitment. Then another five-star prospect, wide receiver Dakorien Moore, also made his announcement that he was joining the Tigers.
In all, there were a total of five number one players at their position who were in attendance, with three of them already committed to wear the purple and gold. And though they have not signed their letter of intent as of yet, prognosticators have running back Harlem Berry and linebacker Jonah Williams as strong possibilities to join the fold.
Pickett Is A Big Prize
One of the key targets in LSU’s recruiting strategy is DJ Pickett. The number one ranked cornerback and number four player in the nation according to on3.com is being heavily pursued by his home state schools of Miami and Florida. However, the Pickett family has been playing it pretty close to vest, and right now recruiting services have it down those schools and LSU, which are in a statistical dead heat to acquire him.
Although LSU was ranked a very respectable 20th in total pass defense last year, they would like to move up the ladder in that statistic. Their strategy is two-pronged with a focus on end-rushers to get to the quarterback to hasten his delivery, and then a lock down defensive backfield to do the rest. Pickett will be hitting the campus tour circuit in June with visits scheduled for LSU on the 1st, Georgia on the 7th, and finishing with Miami on the 14th.
LSU Looks to Maintain Pass Dominance
Even though much of the buzz has been on defensive prospects, the Tigers have no intent on letting their prolific pass offense fall by the wayside. Last year, the Tigers had the number one ranked pass offense in the country. To keep them at the top of the mountain they have been courting number two wideout Caleb Cunningham and five-star receiver Jamie Ffrench. Although services have other school higher on the list of probability, with the hype surrounding what the Tigers have coming it, it may sway their decisions.
The Tigers will open up their season September 1st against USC in Las Vegas, and according to Grid Iron Heroic’s Bryce Lazenby, could set the tone for the entire season.
