What does Wardell Mack to Florida mean for LSU?
On Monday, Louisiana four-star defensive back Wardell Mack announced his commitment to the Florida Gators, leaving Acadiana five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley as the lone uncommitted prospect in Louisiana’s Top 10.
Where do things stand with LSU’s defensive backs board now that Mack has gone public with his pledge to the Gators?
Here’s a look at Mack’s recruitment, who the Tigers have on board and what’s next for LSU this cycle.
Wardell Mack commits to the Gators
Louisiana four-star Wardell Mack had a top group of LSU, Texas, Florida and Florida State coming out of the summer months, and on Monday the John Ehret standout revealed his commitment to the Gators ahead of his senior season this fall.
If there was any surprise to his decision, it was Mack picking Florida and not Texas.
The Longhorns had recently trended on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), but it was the Gators – the program that landed Mack’s final visit before his decision – that won out.
After planning to visit both LSU and Florida at the end of July, Mack didn’t make the drive from New Orleans to Baton Rouge for the Bayou Splash. Instead, he only visited Gainesville.
Florida State, Florida and Texas landed official visits in June, while Mack’s most recent trip to LSU came in April. Based off his actions, the Louisiana four-star simply showed more interest in other programs, which became evident to the staff in Baton Rouge. The decision to reveal a commitment this month to an out-of-state team was expected by the Tigers, sources maintained.
Mack is the nation’s No. 7 cornerback prospect and the No. 2 prospect in Louisiana for the 2024 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings.
What does LSU at DB this cycle?
What does Mack’s decision to leave the state mean for the Tigers this recruiting cycle? Fortunately, defensive back recruiting has gone very well.
LSU, a program that recruited Mack as a safety, is in good shape at the position with commitments in from a pair of four-star Louisiana safeties in Dashawn McBryde and Joel Rogers.
McBryde soared up the On3 Top 300 this summer, now checking in as the No. 6 safety in the country. Rogers is ranked by On3 as the No. 16 safety in the class. Both are ranked as Top 10 prospects in Louisiana.
The Tigers also have commitments in from a trio of four-star cornerbacks in Ondre Evans, Cai Bates and Ju’Juan Johnson, while three-star Wallace Foster is expected to play nickel for the Tigers.
Evans, Bates and Johnson are all Top 30 cornerbacks on the On3 Industry Rankings.
What’s still left for LSU in the 2024 cycle?
LSU will host five-star cornerback Kobe Black for the team’s home opener against Grambling in September, and another five-star athlete in Terry Bussey is expected to visit for a game ahead of revealing his college choice on Sep. 28.
If the Tigers are looking to bolster either position even more, there could also be new targets emerge during senior season evaluations. But that’s to be determined at this stage.
If LSU comes away with just McBryde and Rogers at safety, it’s an impressive haul. Still, don’t be surprised if the Tigers make a push to add another signee to the group. Bussey, a five-star out of Texas, is the most notable prospect to keep an eye on. He’s considered a lean to Texas A&M headed into the final month before revealing his college decision.
At the cornerback position, LSU’s swinging away for Black. If the Tigers aren’t the choice, needs have been addressed with four commitments already in the class. Perhaps other targets pop up, but at this stage, the numbers point to a potential third safety addition being the more likely route.
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