It’s that time of the year again — national signing day — when the Twitter universe centers around teenagers and fax machines suddenly become relevant again.
For the first time since 2009, LSU is in position to finish with the No. 1 class according most recruiting outlets.
The Tigers, who currently have 23 commits in their 2016 class, including five early enrollees, will look to bolster their class, which ESPN recruiting writer Jeremy Crabtree called arguably the best class in the modern era.
“What makes the class so great is the depth at every position,” said Rivals.com mid-South recruiting analyst Jason Howell in an email to The Daily Reveille. “There’s a lot of speed and athleticism. There are blue chip studs ready to come right in and contribute and there are guys who could really develop with the right guidance. The defensive line is incredibly strong and the Tigers also add some big targets in the receiving game.”
A loaded crop of homegrown talent has helped LSU reach the top ranking. Unlike in previous years when LSU lost top ranked in-state recruits to the likes of Alabama and Ole Miss, LSU has been able to keep most recruits home.
Louisiana was stacked with talent this year producing 21 ESPN 300 commits, with 13 of them verbally committed to LSU. LSU football coach Les Miles and his staff have secured commitments from eight of the top 10 players in Louisiana, with two of them being early enrollees. By the end of the day, the Tigers could end up with nine of the top 10 players in the state.
Although the nation’s fourth-ranked cornerback Saivion Smith is already enrolled, LSU continues to embrace the moniker “Defensive Back University” as it chases commitments from three of the top five ranked cornerbacks in the 2016 class according to ESPN rankings.
Trayvon Mullen, a four-star cornerback from Pompano Beach, Florida, will be the first LSU target to announce his decision between LSU, FSU and Clemson at 8 a.m. on ESPNU, Mullen is ranked as the No. 2 cornerback in the country and No.18 overall prospect according to ESPN 300 rankings.
The No. 1 player in Louisiana, according 247sports.com, five-star cornerback Kristian Fulton from Metairie, Louisiana will have LSU, Florida and Arkansas fans holding their breath when he makes his announcement at 11:45 a.m. at Rummel High School. Fulton, an Under Armour All-American would be the icing in the cake for LSU’s top ranked class.
Throughout the Miles’ era, the Tigers have pulled off last-minute commitments from Chidi Okeke and Maea Teuhema in 2015 and Sione Teuhema in 2014. LSU will be pushing hard for a flip from defensive end Sci Martin from McDonogh 35 High School. Martin, a current TCU commit recently had a visit with Miles and new LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda on Jan. 28, according to NOLA.com.
While majority of the commits in LSU’s class are solid, the Tigers will be fighting off the University of Texas for current commit Erick Fowler, a four-star linebacker from Manor, Texas has received pressure from family members to stay home and Texas has been putting the pressure on him, with Texas head coach Charlie Strong making an in-home visit on Jan. 29.
The 6-foot-1, 226 pound linebacker is one of three linebackers currently committed to the class.
Another Texas native will also be on the Tigers’ radar, four-star safety Deontay Anderson could pick up a LSU hat today as he decided between LSU, Texas and Ole Miss.
When signing day comes to a close, LSU could break history with the most signees ranked inside the ESPN 300 player rankings. The Tigers currently have 19 commits.