LSU Football Attacking All the Right Needs in 2021 Recruiting Class

Defensive line, receiver among the top positions the Tigers are strengthening

LSU recruiting couldn’t be riding better momentum as the 2021 recruiting cycle draws to a close. The Tigers have proven over the last two years to be phenomenal in attacking the needs of each recruiting class and 2021 is no different. 

The Tigers currently have 18 commits in the 2021 class and have addressed two of the biggest areas of need with more potentially on the way.  Defensive line and receiver were the two areas of need with this class and six of the 18 commits are from those two positions. 

On the defensive line, LSU has landed commitments from defensive ends Landon Jackson, Keanu Koht and Saivion Jones as well as defensive tackle Anthony Hundley. With seniors Andre Anthony, Glen Logan and Travez Moore expected to graduate and defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin opting out, the group will need replenishing next season. 

That's why the program isn't close to finished recruiting the defensive line in this class as LSU is trying to bring in at least one more guy down in the trenches. The Tigers loaded up on pass rushers and interior linemen in 2020 as well but with the switch to the 4-3 this season, the need for depth becomes all the more important. 

As for receiver, LSU has landed commitments from Deion Smith and Zachary High School's Chris Hilton. JoJo Earle could also play the slot and also appeared as the No. 6 running back in the initial SI All-American position group rankings. 

Ja'Marr Chase has already elected to opt out and Terrace Marshall, Racey McMath and Jontre Kirklin could all very well move on from the team next season.

However, the work is not close to done. The Tigers are among the final schools for high profile prospects like defensive linemen Korey Foreman and Maason Smith, receiver Brian Thomas, tackle Tristan Leigh, safety Sage Ryan, cornerback Ga'Quincy McKinstry, guard Bryce Foster and tight end Michael Trigg. A few of those prospects attack areas of need like cornerback and offensive line.

Austin Deculus and Liam Shanahan are seniors and Ed Ingram is a junior who could prove to be a draft worthy prospect if he turns in a solid junior season at left guard. LSU has Michigan tackle Garrett Dellinger committed and the addition of Leigh or Foster would provide some more stability to the future of the o-line.

LSU feels good about landing a handful of those prospects and Orgeron talked about the success of the class thus far. 

“We have a lot of guys that we feel like we're going to get and I think we're going to have a great class,” Orgeron said last month on Marty and Magee. “The spring recruiting hurt because we couldn't get extra evaluation so mostly all of our evaluations are coming off of tape right now. I do believe the season that we had last year has helped us in a way I've never seen before at a national level.”