Inside a five-star recruiting weekend at LSU
LSU has On3’s No. 2 ranked recruiting class and this weekend head coach Brian Kelly and his staff hosted many of the nation’s best as they try and make a run at the top spot.
In fact was a five-start frenzy.
Reaction from five-star plus DJ Pickett’s camp
On3’s No. 1 ranked cornerback DJ Pickett was one of the headliners on campus. He was joined by his parents.
“My second time here,” Pickett’s father Damien said. “It was nice. My family had a great time.
“Takeaways, same as before. We truly believe he can be successful at LSU. Style of play fits him. Academic team showed us a successful path in the classroom. (LSU legend) Patrick Peterson (was on campus and) was open about his experience at LSU. His process was similar to DJ’s and it was nice to hear from a former player.
“Staff was great and hospitality was amazing. Felt like Coach Kelly was genuine in his talks. Loved LSU.”
LSU defensive backs coach Corey Raymond is key in the recruitment of Pickett who is also high on Miami, Oregon, Georgia and Florida.
“He doesn’t try hard,” the elder Pickett said. “He has a track record with developing DBs. Never felt pressured to commit from him. His track record speaks for itself.”
Latest from elite offensive lineman Solomon Thomas
The On3 Industry’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman Solomon Thomas had a great weekend. The Tigers are trying to flip him from Florida State.
“I can say the mentality of the offensive line was next level,” Thomas said. “Them guys are really out there to be elite. The expectation of being an elite offensive lineman, the expectation is the Joe Moore Award and you can see they’re striving for it every time.”
LSU gave Thomas a lot to think about.
“They’re different,” Thomas said. “Their different. I can say that. Coach (Brad) Davis and the expectations that he has for his offensive line is different. The players that he has our different. Of course they have Coach Davis but kudos to Will (Campbell) and Emery (Jones). Emery is a dog. And so is Will. Emery is a freaking dog and he can lead a team. They came up as freshman and they led. I don’t know how they were before but they set the expectation very high and I loved it.
Next up for Thomas is an official visit to Florida the weekend of June 7 and then Florida State the weekend of June 21.
LSU could land Lockett and Ffrench
Sachse (Texas) High On3 Industry five-star receiver Kaliq Lockett has LSU in his final four alongside Texas, Texas A&M and Florida State. The Longhorns maybe grabbed momentum in the spring but the Tigers have always been a front-runner.
“Getting clarity for all the questions I had about LSU,” Lockett said. “Getting to know where I fit in with the team.”
Similar to the Pickett family and the DBs, LSU has a great reputation at Lockett’s position as well.
“The history of putting receivers in the league, their known for receivers thriving in the NFL.”
Lockett spent a lot of time talking football on this visit.
“The people at and around LSU make the place special,” Lockett said. “When you go to the state of Louisiana, LSU runs the state. It’s the culture.”
Lockett heads to his other top three schools as the month continues.
Earlier in the week Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin On3 Industry five-star Jaime Ffrench was saying Texas was the leader. Don’t count out LSU.
“Man definitely rethinking it,” Ffrench said Sunday afternoon.
“I loved it. Just the brotherhood, the tradition, the culture itself and the people in the building for sure.”
LSU is battling the Longhorns, Miami and Tennessee for Ffrench.
“They work,” Ffrench said of why LSU is successful. “They put in the staff they have, how in-depth they are with their athletes.”
Five-star CB Dorian Brew and his family see early opportunity
Conroe (Texas) High cornerback Dorian Brew was the fifth five-star on campus. The Tigers are in the middle of that battle with USC, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas among others.
“We like Corey Raymond,” Brew’s father Derrick said. “And just the opportunity he can play the first year, that was one of the things we liked.”
The elder Brew was an All-American in track at LSU while his mother was the same at Ohio State. The family is obviously very familiar with the Tigers campus and program.
“They showed us different things they use to get guys ready, the drills, they use,” the elder Brew said. “A vision test to see if eyes are in the right position when covering and some high-technology stuff they had. I think for us the main thing is about being able to be developed.
Someone that can develop him.”
LSU is showing the Brew family that.
Beyond the five-stars
In addition to these five-stars, the Tigers have a great chance to sign many of the others on campus.
Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central On300 edge Damien Shanklin posted that he had “an amazing time.” I think LSU leads for him and there is confidence around the Tigers position with Lufkin (Texas) High defensive lineman Zion Williams.
LSU remains in a great spot for Mobile (Ala.) Vigor On300 offensive lineman Micah DeBose. Sources that spent time with him feel the Tigers lead with Alabama the only threat.
LSU made a good impression on Derby (Kan.) High On300 tight end DaSaahn Brame.
Stay tuned to On3 as more reaction comes in.
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