LSU’s push continues in Lone Star State

LSU Football continues to prioritize the Lone Star State in recruiting and the Tigers are in on some top targets in the 2024 class. Brian Kelly and his staff are looking to make big moves with those targets, which for some, could center around the Bayou Splash later this month.

Here’s the latest buzz we’re hearing on some of the top targets out of Texas.

4-star OL Blake Ivy

After missing on Weston Davis out of Beaumont (Tex.) United to Texas A&M, LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis has buckled in even more on Blake Ivy. Ivy has been considered a Texas A&M lean for a longtime, but most thought he’d have made his commitment by now. He’s not and Davis is pushing to pull Ivy out of League City (Tex.) Clear Springs. It’s not an easy task, but LSU does have some things working for itself.

“LSU is a like a second home,” Ivy told On3 this week. “I have family there, and have been going since I was a little kid. I enjoy the food and all that. Just talking to Coach (Brad) Davis, you can talk to him real easy. He’s a good coach. He has a good vibe, and is always in a good mood. But I know he’s going to coach you hard.”

He’s a Top 100 prospect for On3 and a Top 5 interior offensive lineman. The Aggies lead the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, but it’s Davis who has LSU still in the picture. He does plan a decision before August and LSU’s hoping that he’ll buck where most believe things stand and come to Baton Rouge. It’d be a heck of a recruiting swing for LSU to pull off, but a couple sources in Texas maintain LSU is not at all out of this one. Remember, Bay Saint Louis (Miss.) offensive lineman Ziron Brown said Davis is waiting

4-star WR Jelani Watkins

Houston (Tex.) Klein Forest wide receiver Jelani Watkins has been on campus multiple times, including his official visit in June. Those behind the scenes in Houston feel the Tigers are the team to beat. There’s also Texas A&M in the picture, who is recruiting both Watkins and Refugio (Tex.) wide receiver Ernest Campbell. Watkins is expected in College Station for his official visit later this month and if that happens, that’s something to watch for sure. If not, this one should go LSU’s way and the Tigers will get their explosive slot target on board.

3-star S Joshua Lair

LSU is still chipping away at Missouri City (Tex.) Ft. Bend Marshall safety Joshua Lair, who tells us he will be at the Bayou Splash. He also could pop over to Texas A&M for their pool party as well, but sources say the Longhorns and Tigers are probably battling this one out. With a watchful eye on four-star defensive back Wardell Mack in Louisiana, both schools are recruiting Lair, too. It’s too early to call which way this one will go, but getting Lair and Mack on campus for the Bayou Splash says a lot about their interest level.

5-star CB Kobe Black

LSU’s going to host Waco (Tex.) Connally cornerback Kobe Black for the Bayou Splash then he’ll head to Texas A&M for their pool party. The Longhorns are considered the team to beat for Black, a Top 25 prospect on the On3 Industry Ranking. The good thing for LSU is Black has not made a commitment, which some thought might happen after his Texas official visit. LSU’s expected to host him this fall as well for an official visit. LSU’s definitely a dark horse in this recruitment, but the staff is taking a big swing at him.

Five Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons

Duncanville (Tex.) EDGE Colin Simmons is now the top-ranked edge rusher in the country for On3 and his recruitment continues to be one of the most competitive. LSU, SMU, Texas and Texas A&M are the schools considered to be truly in the mix with the trio of SEC schools having a large separation from the Mustangs. When it comes to Simmons, distance could be a big factor for him. If LSU can overcome that, the Tigers could very well make a move to the top of his recruitment. Still, Texas is considered by most to be the team to beat. LSU’s done a great job recruiting him and everyone will have an eye on the Bayou Splash to see if Simmons does indeed show up in Baton Rouge with his family. There’s a chance Simmons could make a decision before his senior year, but most signs point to him taking it to the fall.

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