LSU is used to star-studded recruiting classes, complete with names like Patrick Peterson, Jamarcus Russell and Anthony ‘The Freak’ Johnson.
The 2012 edition of National Signing Day offers no such flashy names, as the Tigers are expected to haul in a class that currently ranks anywhere between No. 7 and No. 16, according to the various recruiting services.
It wasn’t long ago that LSU was in prime position for two of 2012’s most prized commodities.
But, in January, the Tigers seemingly lost local five-star safety Landon Collins, who committed to Alabama, and prized quarterback Gunner Kiel, who recently enrolled at Notre Dame.
“Potentially losing two players of that caliber is something that, no matter how this class finishes, fans will remember,” Scout.com recruiting analyst Sonny Shipp, said.
Collins hasn’t signed with Alabama yet, so he could still change his decision, but it appears unlikely despite dissent from his mother.
Scores of LSU fans will pack the Baton Rouge River Center for the 17th annual Bayou Bash, as beer and booze accompany cheers for incoming signees.
Through the blur of the Bash, it’s likely Tiger fans will be celebrating LSU’s strongest linebacker class in recent memory.
“Linebacker has been an
issue in the state, so it’s incredible for Louisiana to have five solid guys in one year,” said Rivals.com recruiting expert Mike Scarborough. “Bringing them all in shows it’s a position [defensive coordinator] John Chavis wants to overhaul.”
The group includes four-star recruits in Woodlawn product Torshiro Davis and Patterson native Lorenzo Phillips. Three-star West St. John linebacker Ronnie Feist has already signed his letter of intent with LSU and enrolled this semester.
The Tigers received good news Monday, as 6-foot-3, 270-pound quarterback Jeremy Liggins — an Oxford, Miss., native — committed to LSU, while three-star Texas safety Corey Thompson traded Texas A&M maroon for purple and gold.
Bayou Bengals Insider publisher Derek Ponamsky said those coups, plus a big offensive-line haul could offset the lack of standouts in LSU’s class.
“LSU stayed with their plan, didn’t deviate from their methods,” Ponamsky said. “After things went south this last month, the staff could’ve tried to sign big-name guys to appease the fans, but they recruited to address their needs, even it wasn’t flashy.”
Among those expected offensive line signees is four-star Vadal Alexander; 6-foot-8, 320-pound Edna Karr product Derek Edinburgh; and coveted three-star Louisiana committ Jerald Hawkins.
While most of the Class of 2012 appears in place, there could be some room for fireworks today.
Four-star Oxford, Ala., natives and teammates Kwon Alexander and Trae Elston remain on LSU’s radar and will announce their decisions back to back at 10:05 a.m.
Elston, a safety, currently lists Ole Miss as his favorite, but the Tigers remain in play. Alexander, a linebacker, is considered to be Baton Rouge-bound.
“I have [Alexander] as a near lock for LSU,” Scarborough said. “It would be surprising if he reconsiders.”
One Tiger commitment may have some big expectations, even without the five-star label attached.
Avery Johnson of Pompano Beach, Fla., is a Rivals four-star and considered one of the top 40 athletes in this year’s class.
He’s also Patrick Peterson’s younger brother and similar in stature to former receiver Rueben Randle, whose role Johnson may soon fill. Joining him could be prized junior college receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who has drawn significant interest from nearly every school in the Southeastern Conference and Big 12.
“LSU has made a big push lately for Patterson, but he sure looks like a Georgia guy to me,” Scarborough said. “You never know on signing day.”
With Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne off to the NFL, the Tigers also nabbed some defensive backs to solidify the secondary.
O. Perry Walker’s Dwayne Thomas — a four-star defensive back — heads LSU’s four likely secondary commitments and is a dynamic cover corner in the same mold as Claiborne.
Between the 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship and losing out on a couple of unanimous five-stars, excitement amongst the Tiger fan base has been comparatively low for this year’s Bayou Bash and the accompanying recruits.
“January took the wind out of LSU’s sails a bit,” Shipp said. “Domino after domino fell. This class should ease the pain, but maybe not immediately. These are players that will grow on you.”
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]