While the LSU baseball team is still living the dream of playing at the College World Series in Omaha, it is not too early to begin looking at the future of the program.
The Tigers, who had 2007’s top recruiting class according to Collegiate Baseball newspaper, currently have 11 commitments. These players include a combination of top local talent like Austin Nola, winner of Louisiana’s Gatorade Player of the Year award (.447 BA, 48 RBIs, 13 HR), mixed with talented national recruits like Tyler Hanover (.475 BA, 43 RBIs, 12 HR).
While this year’s recruiting class is far from done, it certainly appears more depth and overall talent will be added to a team that finds itself competing for the College World Series title.
Of the 11 signees, five were selected in the 2008 MLB Draft. LSU has already lost one commitment to the draft. Pitcher Ryan Chaffee of Chipola Junior College has already signed with the Los Angeles Angels after being drafted in the third round. Pitcher Jon Michael Redding is also expected to give up his eligibility after being drafted by the Dodgers in the fifth round. The other four players drafted (Didier, Mahtook, Matulis, Nola) are expected to forgo the MLB draft to play baseball at LSU.
FOOTBALL TEAM TEARING UP RECRUITING TRAIL
LSU football coach Les Miles is still battling for many of the country’s best high school recruits with the hopes of landing one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. This year’s class continues to get stronger with the recent commitments of two of the top offensive linemen in the state.
Chris Faulk (6’6, 280 lbs.) of Northshore High School in Slidell committed to LSU in May. Faulk is a four-star recruit and the 14th best offensive tackle in the nation, according to Rivals.com. Faulk chose LSU over offers from several schools including Michigan, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
Carneal Ainsworth (6’4, 280 lbs.) of Parkview Baptist is the Tigers’ most recent commitment. Ainsworth was offered a
scholarship after impressing the coaches at the Les Miles Tiger Football Camp this past week. Ainsworth chose the Tigers over offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Arkansas. Ainsworth is a three-star recruit, ranked 18th best offensive guard in the nation, according to Rivals.com.
The two recent commitments give the Tigers a total of 13 – three on the offensive line.
JOHNSON ADDS BASS TO CLASS
LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson added another player to his 2008 recruiting class with the addition of point guard Chris Bass. Bass (6’1, 175 lbs.) is the brother of former LSU and current Dallas Mavericks forward Brandon Bass.
Chris Bass averaged 16 points and eight assists per game at Lee Academy in Maine. Bass is a three-star recruit and committed to LSU over offers from Arkansas State, East Carolina, TCU and UAB.
Johnson’s class also includes: forwards Storm Warren of Monroe, Delwan Graham of Dunwoody, Ga., and Dennis Harris of Fayetteville, Ga.
J’Mison Morgan, a five-star recruit and the most highly-touted member of the 2008 class, requested and received a released in May from his letter of intenet.