For one day every year, the fax machine becomes the most important piece of technology to football programs across the country.
The first Wednesday of February, known to recruiting diehards as National Signing Day, is the day most high school prospects fax their letters of intent to their college of choice.
For LSU, the day went according to plan. LSU coach Les Miles received signatures from 22 players. Isidore Newman wide receiver Odell Beckham became the first to fax his letter Wednesday at 7:45 a.m., and Evangel defensive end Jermauria Rasco closed the day when he signed at 3:42 p.m.
Miles said he was pleased with the quality of the finished class that Rivals.com ranks No. 6 in the nation.
“LSU has everything in place,” Miles said. “This class really met some needs, needs that we set out to answer and needs that need to fall in very quickly behind the team that we have.”
Rasco was the only player to announce his commitment during National Signing Day, doing so in front of friends and family in his high school gymnasium. The Scout.com five-star recruit stood in front of a table decorated with Florida and Texas gear. Instead, he donned an LSU hat and jersey and announced he would be taking his talents to Baton Rouge.
Miles praised Rasco during his National Signing Day press conference.
“We only took one defensive end, but he’s a very good one,” Miles said. “He has the kind of athletic ability that will get him to the field in his freshman year. We’re excited about the addition.”
Rasco joins a defensive line that already includes four-star defensive tackle Mickey Johnson and the No. 1 overall defensive tackle Anthony Johnson.
Johnson, who garnered the nickname “The Freak” as he broke the national career sack record, enrolled early and will compete for playing time as a freshman. Miles commended Johnson for his leadership, his help in recruiting and one other special talent.
“Besides being a five-star and an All-America, he can sing,” Miles said. “We’ll enjoy his abilities, especially around Christmas time.”
Patterson running back Kenny Hilliard and former Georgia quarterback Zach Mettenberger join “Freak” Johnson as early enrollees. Miles said Mettenberger’s experience will allow him to compete for the starting quarterback position next season.
LSU also added Athens, Ala., native Stephen Rivers, brother of San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. At 6 feet 7 inches, Miles said Rivers has the tools to develop into a successful Southeastern Conference quarterback and will benefit from newly appointed offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe.
“Kragthorpe will take Rivers and really improve him day after day,” Miles said. “He’s got the kind of mentality you want from a quarterback. I think he’ll get nothing but better.”
Miles said his coaching staff placed an added emphasis on locking up the best Louisiana recruits. LSU found success, as 17 of the 22 signees hail from the Pelican State.
“This is a state where football is awfully important,” Miles said. “Recruiting this state is imperative. The great teams we’ve had and the leadership has always come from this state.”
Because so many players come from Louisiana, the class built a camaraderie that developed into “The Fam,” the nickname given to the close-knit group of recruits in this class. Miles said the foundation for “The Fam” began at summer camps.
“We’ve always considered the strength of our team to be a core group that developed in that camp,” Miles said. “There’s a real comfortable foundation of getting to know your teammates. That’s how ‘The Fam’ came to be.”
Miles especially commended recruiting coordinator Frank Wilson for his efforts in building this class.
“I think Frank has a wonderful view of the recruiting coordinator’s position,” Miles said. “He understands the responsibility. He is a tremendous judge of talent. He gives our coaches a great resource in how to approach some of the prospects.”
One member of “The Fam” was missing from the list of signees. Jeremy Hill, a four-star running back from Redemptorist, was arrested Jan. 12 on charges of oral sexual battery after allegedly pressuring a 14-year-old to perform oral sex. His commitment status remains in question.
Because Hill has not yet signed, Miles could not comment on the situation during his news conference.
Miles said even though the day lacked any big surprises, he still found positives in things going as planned.
“The good news is there were no defections,” Miles said. “The people that were committed stayed committed.”
 
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Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]