What do a pair of new 4-star commits mean for LSU’s DT room?
LSU defensive line coach Bo Davis picked up his first defensive tackle commit of the 2025 class when Lufkin (Texas) 4-star Zion Williams announced his college choice on Thursday.
24 hours later, Davis and LSU pulled off an SEC flip by reeling in longtime Texas Longhorns 4-star defensive tackle commitment Brandon Brown.
The defensive tackle position has been one of the most talked about positions on roster this offseason given the departure of the top three players from the 2023 roster and a roster that isn’t stocked with high-end defensive tackle talent.
Five months after leaving Texas to take over as LSU’s new defensive line coach, the former Tiger and current on-field assistant landed his first two commits.
What do Williams and Brown bring to the defensive tackle room? Here’s the rundown from The Bengal Tiger Staff and On3 Rankings Team.
Bo Davis lands a high upside 4-star DT in Zion Williams
Zion Williams – 6-3.5, 330 pounds – Lufkin High (Lufkin, Texas)
On3 Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 31 DT
On3 Ranking: 3-star, No. 30 DT
Quick Take: With On3’s newest wave of rankings update still to come this month, don’t be surprised if Williams is among the risers at the defensive tackle position. On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire circled Williams as the perfect addition for a coach known for development like LSU’s Bo Davis, and Bellaire said the Lufkin High standout’s upside is “as high as anyone on the defensive front” in the current recruiting cycle. Davis had made Williams a priority when he was the defensive line coach at Texas, and when he took the same position at LSU in January, the 4-star prospect was quickly circled as a top target. After official visits to LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and TCU, Williams announced he was playing his college football in Baton Rouge.
What Zion Williams brings to LSU’s DT room: On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire’s take: “Big bodied interior disruptor that is a tremendous athlete. He’s a legit 6-foot-3+, 330 pounds and has phenomenal hip flexibility. This kid can actually do the splits, so he’s as flexible as they come at 300+ pounds. This bend and ability to sink allows him to play with excellent leverage and win at the point of attack consistently. He’ll need to develop his hand usage in order to keep his chest clean at the line of scrimmage, but this should be fixated on when he arrives at the next level. He’s an excellent piece of clay for defensive line coaches who want to genuinely coach and teach their players. His upside is as high as anyone on the defensive front in 2025.”
4-star DT Brandon Brown flips from Texas to LSU
Brandon Brown – 6-0.5, 290 pounds – Eau Gallie High (Melbourne, Fla.)
On3 Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 27 DT
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 20 DT
Quick Take: Brown had committed to LSU defensive line coach Bo Davis when he was on staff at Texas, and much like with the recruitment of Zion Williams, Brown became an immediate LSU target when Davis got the job at his alma mater. Brown had made multiple visits to Baton Rouge over the spring and summer months, including an official visit with his family in June. After that, it was seemingly just a matter of time before the Tigers reeled Brown into the 2025 class. And just five days after officially joining the SEC, Texas saw the flip come to fruition as Brown backed off his pledge to the Longhorns and committed to LSU. The 4-star, who had a final group of LSU, Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, called his choice of the Tigers a “final” decision.
What Brandon Brown brings to LSU’s DT room: On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire’s take: “Sawed-off interior defensive line prospect who has immense raw power and pop in his hands. Stands in at just a hair over 6-foot, right around 295 pounds. Does not possess elite length relative to the position but does have it in relation to his frame with a 6-foot-6 wingspan. Tremendously strong striker that shocks blockers at the point of attack. Vertical destroyer as a penetrator. In a straight line he’s unbelievably disruptive with his burst off the line of scrimmage and leverage. Lacks ideal lateral agility and ability to work down the line of scrimmage. He’s a one-gap piece of dynamite that explodes when he makes contact with blockers. Ceiling is limited due to height and length, but he’ll have a role at the next level as a disruptive interior pass rusher and stout run defender.”
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