LSU Recruiting: What's Next for the Tigers?

LSU continues its pursuit of the top player in Louisiana, but who else is on their radar?

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers are up to 24 commitments in the 2024 class with the Early Signing Period just a few months away.

On Thursday, two of the top targets in the cycle announced their commitment decisions with LSU going 1-for-2. 

Four-star running back Caden Durham revealed his pledge to LSU, giving the Tigers another electric addition to their backfield for the future, but went down swinging with five-star EDGE Colin Simmons.

Simmons revealed his pledge to the Texas Longhorns, ultimately selecting Steve Sarkisian’s program over LSU in a battle between the two schools.

As it stands, the Tigers have a Top 10 class in the 2024 cycle with the chance to reach Top 5 status if a few dominoes fall their way.

Here are two targets LSU has on its radar:

Dominick McKinley - DL - No. 1 Player in Louisiana

Acadiana (La.) five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley will announce his college decision on Sept. 1 as he gets ready for his senior campaign. 

He’ll shut down his recruiting process with LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio State and Texas A&M giving their pitches each day.

For LSU, McKinley is the No. 1 target on the Big Board. After swinging and missing on Simmons, this program will now throw all of its resources at McKinley as he narrows down on a decision.

Texas and Ohio State remain serious threats in his recruitment, but Kelly’s program is continuing to turn up the heat.

The Tigers got McKinley and his family down to Baton Rouge on the final weekend of July for their annual Bayou Splash recruiting event. The visit to Death Valley put the Tigers right back in contention for the No. 1 player in the state.

LSU has eight of the state’s Top 10 prospects committed in the 2024 class with the two uncommitted being McKinley and four-star safety Wardell Mack.

With a Sept. 1 decision date inching closer, the Tigers will continue their pursuit of the top player on their radar.

The No. 1 player in Louisiana, Dominick McKinley, has locked in his commitment date.

The 5-star DL will choose between #LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Texas A&M, among others.

More on McKinley and the decision date: https://t.co/LTSQ0JqXfK

— LSU Tigers on Sports Illustrated (@LSUTigersSI) August 8, 2023

Elyjah Thurmon - Interior Offensive Lineman

Thurmon received an offer from the Tigers after making his way to Baton Rouge for LSU’s Bayou Splash recruiting event at the end of July. Shortly after earning the offer, Thurmon released his final eight schools.

Brian Kelly’s Tigers made the cut alongside Clemson, South Carolina, Missouri, UCF, Georgia Tech, Duke and Florida.

As a decision remains on Thurmon’s mind, he’s a prospect LSU has its foot on the gas for down the stretch. In search of another offensive lineman (or two), this program has its attention locked in on Thurmon’s services.

LSU has four offensive line commits in the 2024 class to this point with Khayree Lee, Ethan Calloway, Joseph Cryer and Ory Williams pledged so far. The addition of Thurmon would put this program in great position moving forward.