LSU football coach Les Miles has a reputation of recruiting the best prospects in the nation.But one thing the fifth-year coach had not accomplished in his time at LSU was nabbing a high school recruit from California.But that changed with the recruitment of Oaks Christian High School defensive tackle Cassius Marsh.The Westlake Village, Calif., native committed to LSU on Oct. 26, increasing the Tigers’ 2010 recruiting class to 23 members.Marsh initially pledged to California on April 12 but detracted his commitment about a month later. Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said Marsh got caught up in the recruiting process when he prematurely committed to California.”He’s a kid that was 17 years old, got enamored by attention and committed a little early,” Redell said. “He ended up wanting the opportunity to look at other places.”The Scout.com four-star defensive tackle re-opened the recruiting process and considered LSU, Oklahoma, USC, Tennessee and California.”It’s been the only recruiting circus in the West,” said Brandon Huffman, California recruiting analyst for Scout. “Every school presented something to him.”Marsh nearly pledged to USC before committing to California, and he continued to consider the Trojans throughout his recruitment.”Many kids get the USC offer, and it’s the golden offer,” Huffman said. “But LSU caught his attention.”Huffman said LSU was recruiting Marsh more heavily than the other schools, and his official visit for the LSU-Florida game gave the Tigers the edge past USC.”He saw there is a clear difference in the kind of football in the Pac-10 compared to the SEC,” Huffman said. “He wanted to play at a school that produced linemen in the NFL.”Marsh has wavered during his recruiting process, but Huffman said Marsh plans to keep his word with the Tigers.”[Marsh] seems pretty adamant,” Huffman said. “He’s got a spot secured there, but I’ve learned to never say never.”Marsh has family in Baton Rouge even though the Red Stick is 1,860 miles away from Westlake Village.”He has an uncle in Baton Rouge and figured he would fit in there,” Redell said.The only other player to commit to Miles from the Golden State was junior defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, who came from a junior college in California.Huffman said the connection between LSU and California recruits may continue once Marsh joins the Tigers.”It only takes one guy to establish that relationship,” Huffman said. “[LSU] should want to have a good relationship with California.”Redell said he was impressed with the way Miles was able to recruit a player so far away from Louisiana.”It says a lot of the university and the head coach when they can grab a kid from California,” Redell said. “It would be easier if LSU wants another one of our guys.”Marsh is primarily used as a defensive tackle for Oaks Christian, but he also has experience on the offensive line.”He could play offensive line, but I think he is d-line all the way,” Huffman said. “He’s got the mindset of a defensive tackle.”The 6-foot-4-inch, 270-pound lineman finished with 55 tackles, 16 sacks and two forced fumbles his junior season. Marsh has 30 tackles and six sacks through five games in 2009.Redell said LSU’s 23rd commitment is a complete package in terms of ability.”If you are looking for a guy who’s athletic, strong and mean, you got one,” Redell said. “He’s the real deal.”Marsh is the Tigers’ third defensive tackle and sixth defensive lineman of the 2010 recruiting class.- – – -Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]