Since the beginning of winter break, four high school standouts have agreed to wear purple and gold and help the Tigers defend their newly acquired conference and national titles:
Patrick Johnson – Defensive Back, Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach, Fla. Rivals rating: five stars.
Johnson is perhaps LSU’s most noteworthy commitment. At 6 feet 1 inch, 193 pounds, Johnson is considered the No. 5 player in the nation and best defensive back in the class of 2008, according to Rivals.com. He has excellent size and power for a cornerback, evidenced by 75 tackles and 12 interceptions throughout two high school seasons.
As a senior he established himself as an offensive threat rushing for 733 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added two scores as a kick returner.
The Miami native committed to the Tigers the weekend prior to the Bowl Championship Series National Championship game. Johnson could find himself contributing as early as the 2008 season along with fellow LSU cornerback Chad Jones.
Johnson has decided to forego his final semester of high school and enroll early for spring football practice.
Chris Tolliver – Wide Receiver, Rayville High School, Rayville. Rivals rating: four stars.
Although not related to current Tiger wide out Terrence Tolliver, Chris Tolliver is also a deep threat with great speed and hands.
Tolliver tallied 2,782 yards and 32 touchdowns during his high school career and is considered the best wide receiver prospect in Louisiana, according to Rivals.com. He also rushed for an additional 238 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 career high school carries.
Chase Clement – Defensive End/Tight End, E.D. White Catholic High School, Thibodaux. Rivals rating: four stars.
Named the Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year and designated first team All-State, Clement helped E.D. White to the Louisiana 3A quarter-finals with 96 tackles, six sacks, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a middle linebacker. As a junior he played tight end and accounted for 182 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Defensively he also made 79 tackles and three sacks. If that was not a testament to his versatility, Clement will be switching to defensive end at LSU. He is 6-feet-5-inches and his 4.7 second speed in the 40-yard dash could make him a formidable pass rusher in the future.
Tyler Edwards – Tight End, Ouachita Parish High School, Monroe. Rivals rating: four stars.
At 6-foot-4-inches and 238 pounds, Edwards’ physique is reminiscent of recent BCS title game standout Richard Dickson. At Ouachita Parish High School, Edwards was selected as a first team All-State tight end for the second consecutive year after recording 19 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns. With a maximum bench press of 330 pounds, Edwards is also a tough blocker.
Rumor Mill
It seems LSU’s postseason performance has piqued the interest of Terrelle Pryor, the Army All-American quarterback from Jeanette, Penn. and the consensus No. 1 high school prospect in the nation. Pryor has a scheduled visit to campus Jan. 25.
In addition, the Tigers hope to pick up a commitment from wide receiver DeAndre Brown of Ocean Springs, Miss. Both Scout.com and Rivals.com consider Brown a five-star recruit.
Following a visit from Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, Brown’s mother Patricia Brown told Scout.com that despite her son’s initial interest in the Rebels, she felt confident he was leaning toward LSU.
“I told DeAndre the right thing to do is to let Coach Nutt say what he had to say, but to not do anything he does not want to do,” Patricia Brown said.
—-Contact David Helman at [email protected]