University Laboratory School running back Nick Brossette is accustomed to running a long way to score touchdowns.
But he won’t need to run far to take the next step in his football career.
Brossette — a 6-foot, 210-pound high school junior — became one of the first commits of LSU’s 2015 recruiting class on Aug. 26 when he committed with fellow Louisiana prospect Xavier Lewis.
With senior Alfred Blue, juniors Kenny Hilliard and Terrence Magee and — potentially — sophomore Jeremy Hill gone by the time Brossette reaches campus, his commitment came at the perfect time for the Tigers.
ESPN ranked Brossette as the No. 1 ranked running back in his class and the No. 16 ranked player overall — something University Lab coach Chad Mahaffey knows plenty about.
“He’s really motivated to be great,” Mahaffey said. “He’s had a lot of success early, but he still wants to improve, which is an important quality. He’s great around the goal line. He’s scored 90-something touchdowns for us, but he also has great hands coming out the backfield and does a lot for us in pass protection. He can be an every-down back.”
Brossette’s decision had less to do with proximity and more with LSU’s recent success with running backs. His strong relationship with the coaching staff, especially running backs coach and recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson, also played a major factor.
Wilson has had a lot to do with the Tigers’ success in the ground game on and off the field since his hiring in 2010.
Since Wilson was added to the coaching staff in 2010, LSU has run for at least 2,000 yards each season and has ranked in the nation’s top 15 recruiting classes. Wilson was named National Recruiter of the Year by Rivals recruiting service last year after being credited with signing three five-star recruits and four four-star recruits.
“He’s going to push you to the limit,” Brossette said. “He wants you to make big plays and be prepared, so once you get out into those situations, you’ll be ready for them. I just really appreciate him as a coach and as a father outside of football too.”
But a new addition to the Tigers’ coaching staff turned out to be one of the main reasons Brossette decided to sign with LSU.
Brossette found new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s offense highly intriguing.
The reasons are easy to see. In Cameron’s first game calling the plays, the Tigers ran 80 plays, including 47 snaps in the first half alone. LSU only ran 48 plays in the entire Clemson game that ended the Tigers’ 2012 campaign.
“How [LSU] has changed their offense, I really like that,” Brossette said. “I like coach Cam as a coach too, ‘cause he will really teach you and get you right for the NFL.”
Tim Williams, one of the recruits who LSU couldn’t secure last year, was Brossette’s teammate last season. Williams eventually chose Alabama after a long recruiting battle.
Williams and Brossette remain close friends off the field and Williams offered him congratulations after Brossette announced his commitment to LSU.
“He told me to enjoy everything and to have fun with and wherever you feel the most comfortable with just go and do it,” Brossette said. “Once I did it, he texted me congrats. That’s still my brother.”
That family atmosphere is something that extends all the way through the U-High ranks, as Brossette has taken highly touted freshman Dylan Moses under his wing, helping prepare him for the challenges to come.
Moses recently appeared on the cover of ESPN The Magazine and has been in the national spotlight since receiving a scholarship offer from LSU during his eighth-grade season.
“I just put Dylan under my wing, trying to help show him around here and trying to help him on and off the field,” Brossette said. “I just try and treat him like a brother.”
LSU has managed to create the family atmosphere that is so important to Brossette.
“It just feels like home,” Brossette said. “Every time I go up there, they treat me like family and I just really like that.”