As LSU baseball continues to chug along at the College World Series, the LSU football team is having a busy June of its own.The Tigers have received commitments from six prospects this month, highlighted by Ronnie Vinson, a Class 4A All-State safety from New Orleans.Scout.com ranks Vinson as a four-star safety and one of the best defensive backs in Louisiana, but his future at LSU may involve a position change. “With LSU losing out on Janzen Jackson in February and Phelon Jones deciding to transfer, cornerback has all of a sudden become a big need in this year’s class,” said Sonny Shipp, recruiting analyst for Scout. “LSU likes Vinson at cornerback, but he can play a variety of positions.”Vinson rushed for 800 yards and 13 touchdowns during his junior season at Isidore Newman School, adding 450 yards and two touchdowns receiving.The Tigers have also added five other commitments, four of which came from outside Louisiana. Louisiana has no five-star prospects this season.
JUSTIN MACLOIN – LINERBACKER6-foot-4, 225 lbs., four stars
Although Maclin is from Memphis, Tenn., his early commitment isn’t exactly surprising.”Maclin’s father played at Memphis with [LSU running backs coach] Larry Porter,” Shipp said. “LSU had connections, and Justin has been down to Baton Rouge before, so it’s not that big of a shocker.”Shipp said Maclin’s blend of size and speed could lead him to a variety of positions once he gets to college.”He’s already at 6-foot-4-inch and 225 pounds, and his frame could add another 25 pounds,” Shipp said. “So the question is does he grow into a defensive end or stay at linebacker? Rarely do kids not put on the weight when they get to college.” 
ZACH LEE – QUARTERBACK6-foot-4, 200 lbs., three starsThe Tigers’ success on the baseball diamond probably helped bring Lee to Baton Rouge.When he wasn’t completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,935 yards and 33 touchdowns on the football field, Lee pitched for McKinney High School’s baseball team and finished his junior season with an 8-1 record and a 1.50 ERA.”He’s got a good arm and a smooth delivery, and when you consider LSU’s baseball program it really sealed the deal,” Shipp said. 
SAM GIBSON - QUARTERBACK6-foot-1, 205 lbs., three stars
Gibson is already used to big-time football, as he runs the offense for one of the nation’s top high school programs, Prattville.Gibson helped the Lions to Alabama’s class 6A state championship — the school’s third-straight title — in 2008 by throwing for 1,083 yards while rushing for 480 yards and 19 total touchdowns.While he can play quarterback if needed, the Tigers’ staff may have plans for Gibson as a receiver or defensive back.”LSU wanted an athlete, somebody who could play anywhere on the field,” Shipp said. “And the staff wanted a backup plan in this class, for example if Zach Lee should decide to pursue baseball.”
CAMERON FORDHAM – CENTER6-foot-4, 235 lbs., three starsFordham’s commitment comes as more of an inevitability than a surprise. Fordham’s father played offensive guard for LSU from 1980-85, and the Duluth, Ga., native jumped at the offer LSU gave him.”He’s an LSU legacy, and he had been waiting and hoping on an offer to come here,” Shipp said.Fordham weighs in a little undersized as a college center, but Shipp said he “had the frame to add another 30 pounds,” and added his quickness could make up for the lack of size.”He’s really quick off the ball,” Shipp said. “If you’re quick you don’t need to be 300 pounds to play center in the Southeastern Conference — [former LSU center] Brett Helms proved that. If you can get to the linebackers quickly you can make a lot of money one day.”HOUSTON BATES – DEFENSIVE END6-foot-2, 218 lbs., not rated
Bates is LSU’s newest pickup in this busy month, as he confirmed his committment to the Tigers on Wednesday.The Covington native logged 63 tackles and 14 sacks as a junior for St. Paul’s School, but he may be listed as an athlete in LSU’s class. Shipp said the Tigers’ coaching staff has looked at Bates to play anything from fullback to linebacker or tight end.—-Contact David Helman at [email protected]