The 2006 recruiting season started on signing day a year ago when Destrehan athlete Jai Eugene was the first person to be offered an athletic scholarship by newly hired LSU coach Les Miles.
“A year ago today we called [Eugene] at his school and said we wanted him to come to LSU,” Miles said.
On the anniversary of that scholarship offer, Eugene and 24 others became the newest Tigers on the LSU football team, as letters of intent were faxed by the athletes to LSU’s administration building on national signing day.
The class, which ranked seventh overall in the nation by rivals.com, features 13 offensive and 12 defensive players from seven states around the country. They will be replacing a senior class who made a tremendous impact on the University in their years at LSU.
“We graduate 21 seniors who were a part of the most successful class in LSU history,” Miles said. “That’s the challenge to this football class.”
The position hit the hardest by graduation was the offensive line, which graduated four lettermen from last year’s 11-2 squad.
“The specific need was offensive lineman,” Miles said. “We took five guys. Of note, Phil Loadhold and Zhamal Thomas, who are two big tackle prospects.”
Thomas, who was considered Louisiana’s top offensive line prospect, is known for his strength and aggressive run blocking. Loadholt stands at 6 feet 9 inches and is a 345-pound junior college transfer who brings enormous size and potential to the offensive line.
“Loadholt is maybe the largest human being I’ve ever seen up close,” Miles said after comparing him to the Tigers’ current largest player – offensive tackle Herman Johnson, who is listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 339 pounds.
On the defensive side of the ball, Miles said he expects several recruits to be prepared to receive time on the field as freshmen.
“Those linebackers will have the opportunity to come in and play early, and [defensive tackle] Al Woods is also a guy that can help next year,” Miles said. “With [Woods] and Charles Deas, the center of our defense for quite some time will be a difficult place to gain yards.”
Miles also noted that there are several speed players in the class who can come in and immediately contribute on special teams.
One position missing from the 2006 recruiting class is quarterback.
Miles said that he would have taken a top quarterback this year, but is at ease with his current situation at the position.
“We expected that we would not take a quarterback in this class,” Miles said. “With JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn having two years and Ryan Perrilloux with four, we like our quarterback spot for some time.”
There are usually signing day surprises, and this year’s class was no exception.
Even Eugene, who had the luxury of having all year to decide on LSU, still made the coaching staff nervously await his signature.
Eugene, who has a son, switched his commitment from Michigan to sign with LSU, which is closer to his Destrehan home.
“I think it was a decision that had to do with family,” Miles said of Eugene’s switch.
Although 25 signed letters of intent are in the administration office, Miles is eagerly awaiting one more.
“We’re still actively recruiting one man,” Miles said.
While Miles cannot comment on an athlete until he is officially signed, that man is believed to be five-star athlete Keiland Williams.
Williams, who prepped at Northside High School in Lafayette before attending Hargrave Military Academy in 2005, is said to be still wavering on a decision.
“I would not say that I’ve changed my mind, but I’m taking just a little more time,” Williams said in an interview with The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette. “I’m just going to talk some more with my mom.”
At Northside, he rushed for 2,814 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior in 2004.
Miles said he is confident in his 2006 recruiting class and has high expectations for them in the future.
“This class has the balance of size and strength that will allow us to compete for championships here,” Miles said.
 
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