With the football season set to kick off on Sunday, recruiting keeps on moving for LSU.
Between official visits, keeping tabs on priority recruits and adapting to flipped commitments to LSU and away from LSU, it was an eventful offseason for Brian Kelly and his staff.
Not only was it was a busy summer, it was a successful summer.
According to 247Sports, LSU holds the No. 3 overall recruiting class in the country, only behind Ohio State and Alabama.
Since May 31, the Tigers have landed 15 commitments. Of those 15 commitments, two are ranked as five-stars and seven are ranked as four-stars.
LSU also recruited out of state effectively, as 12 of its 15 summer commitments are from outside Louisiana.
With the summer recruiting season coming to a close, let’s take a look at the summer additions for LSU’s Class of 2025.
D.J. Pickett, CB, Zephyrhills HS (FL)
Pickett is arguably the biggest addition for LSU’s Class of 2025 thus far, outside of five-star quarterback, Bryce Underwood.
According to the 247Sports composite rankings, Pickett is ranked as the No. 1 recruit in Florida, the No. 2 cornerback in the country and the No. 7 overall recruit in the Class of 2025.
What stands out about Pickett is his size, as he stands at 6-foot-4. He’s a long, lanky corner with versatile coverage abilities who can also drop back to safety if needed.
There’s a lot to like about Pickett as a prospect, and assuming he makes a smooth transition to the college level, he could make an impact right away.
Derek Meadows, WR, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)
Staying on the topic of size, Meadows surely falls under that umbrella.
Standing at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, the Bishop Gorman receiver will be in lots of mismatches with opposing corners. His athleticism for his size makes him that much more effective. With his size as well, his red zone threat ability could likely get him on the field early.
He also has the potential to become a pass catching tight end if he puts on some more weight at the next level.
For much of Meadows’ recruitment, Notre Dame was the favorite to land this Bishop Gorman receiver. But LSU made a late impression, which ultimately led to his commitment.
Damien Shanklin, EDGE, Warren Central HS (IN)
Shanklin brings everything you’d expect out of an edge rusher in today’s game.
Standing at 6-foot-4, he has an explosive move off the line of scrimmage but is also able to run down ball carriers when needed. It’s the best of both worlds with Shanklin, as he’s able to win battles with both power and speed.
Ohio State and Alabama made impressions on Shanklin, but LSU got his commitment on July 5.
Jesse Harrold, EDGE, Gaither HS (FL)
Harrold is a more raw edge rusher and a multi-sport athlete, as he also plays basketball and competes in track and field.
His athleticism surely works to his advantage. Harrold is able to make flexible moves off the edge, creating stops across the line of scrimmage.
He will surely be a player that could see lots of growth at the next level, and given how far he’s come, LSU fans should be excited about him.
Carius Curne, IOL, Marion HS (AR)
On Feb. 7, Carius Curne committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks. A little under two months later, he decommitted.
LSU seemed to be the favorite to land his commitment, other than committing to Arkansas once again. After taking official visits to both schools, he committed to LSU about a week after being in Baton Rouge.
Curne has the ability to play on the interior and potentially play on the outside. So, the Tigers are getting a versatile offensive lineman with good size at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds.
Kade Phillips, CB, Hightower HS (TX)
Phillips committed to Texas on July 6 before flipping his commitment to LSU 43 days later.
The primary trait LSU is getting with Phillips is his speed. As a junior, he placed third in the long jump and ran a 21.5 200-meter dash.
Phillips projects most as a corner but has the ability to drop back to safety. His speed can solve lots of problems for the Tigers along with his tackling. With those two traits coupled, he can be especially effective on special teams outside of the secondary.
C.J. Jimcoily, S, Lipscomb Academy (TN)
The Tigers landed another versatile secondary player on Aug. 8 in C.J. Jimcoily. He chose the Tigers over Tennessee, Alabama and Stanford.
While Phillips’ speed stands out most, for Jimcoily it’s his size. Standing at 6-foot-3, 205-pounds, Jimcoily also has the ability to drop down to linebacker if needed.
He looks to be a potential fit for the STAR position with his ability to move down to the front seven and drop back to the secondary.
Aidan Anding, CB, Ruston HS (LA)
Anding is another multi-sport athlete that LSU will be getting in its Class of 2025, as he also participates in basketball and track and field.
His speed is also a trait that caught the eye of cornerbacks’ coach Cory Raymond.
Anding’s commitment was crucial for LSU not only because he’s a Louisiana recruit, but also because he was at one point favored to commit to Texas. Arkansas, TCU and Miami were also in the mix for the Ruston cornerback.
Jhase Thomas, S, Destrehan HS (LA)
The Destrehan to LSU pipeline stays strong with the commitment from Jhase Thomas on July 13.
Thomas is a safety that flies around the field making plays and has good instincts. He also has good ball skills and covers lots of ground in the pass game.
Thomas chose the Tigers over Texas Tech, Houston and others. He stands at 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 183 pounds.
Phillip Wright, WR, Destrehan HS (LA)
Speaking of Destrehan, Phillip Wright committed to LSU on Aug. 9 after he was previously committed to Michigan. He decommitted from Michigan on Aug. 4 after committing on July 13.
Wright also has a track background and has been offered to run track at LSU as well. He has the ability to line up in multiple receiver slots and has another gear of speed that can burn opposing corners.
Wright can also be effective on special teams given his speed and versatility.
Brandon Brown, DL, Eau Gallie HS (FL)
Brown was a longtime Texas commit, but he took official visits to LSU, Tennessee and Texas before decommitting the Longhorns in July. Oklahoma was also in the mix for the Eau Gallie defensive lineman.
He will be an important piece to rebuild the defensive line in the future, and he’s also a commitment that defensive line coach Bo Davis had lots of influence on.
Zion Williams, DL, Lufkin HS (TX)
Williams will be another key factor in the defensive line rebuild. His strength is his best trait, and he has good anticipation in run defenses.
He also has great size for a defensive lineman at 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, making him an even more intriguing recruit.
Texas A&M, Arkansas and TCU were in the mix for Williams, but he made his commitment to the Tigers on July 4.
Jaiden Braker, LB, South Gwinnett HS (GA)
Braker committed to South Carolina on July 6. At that time, LSU hadn’t extended an offer to him, but they did 20 days later.
He made his way to Baton Rouge for LSU’s “Bayou Splash” recruiting event and flipped his commitment to the Tigers a few days later.
Mike Tyler, TE, Hammond School (SC)
Tyler is a versatile tight end that works well down field. His pass catching ability coupled with his run-after-catch strength make him a constant threat.
Duke, NC State and West Virginia were in the mix for Tyler, but LSU secured his commitment on Aug. 17.
Dilan Battle, DL, Mansfield Timberview HS (TX)
Battle was yet another crucial defensive lineman pickup on key recruiting grounds. On Aug. 12, he committed to the Tigers over Arkansas, TCU and Cal.
Battle is another defensive lineman with great size, standing at 6-foot-3, 300 pounds. He’s also another lineman that Bo Davis had lots of a pull in committing to LSU.
