Editors note: Some of this information was compiled from rivals.com, a national recruiting service.
Success begets more success. LSU’s tentative commitment list for the 2004 recruiting class attests to that.
After winning a national championship on the field, the Tigers will go for their second national championship in a row in the recruiting arena.
Players such as quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn graced the 2003 recruiting class, along with freshman All-American safety Laron Landry, in a group that was widely considered by many national recruiting pundits as the top one in the land.
And even though recruiting rankings mean nothing until the players step on the field, it does not hurt to be ranked with the elite in the mythical competition of recruiting.
LSU coach Nick Saban and his staff started receiving commitments before and during the 2003 season, but a late flurry of commitments around the time of the Sugar Bowl may be what puts the Tigers’ class over the top.
Early Doucet – Considered as the top wide receiver prospect in the nation on Rivals.com, Doucet’s commitment may help alleviate the loss of junior receiver Michael Clayton to the NFL. The 6-foot-2 athlete from St. Martinville chose LSU over Miami and is No. 9 in ESPN.com’s top 100.
Marlon Favorite – The 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive lineman from Harvey, La. is considered one of the top defensive tackles in the country. He chose the Tigers over Colorado. Favorite recoreded 98 tackles and 14 sacks his senior year at West Jefferson High School and earned Class 5A All-State honors. ESPN.com ranks Favorite No. 10 in its top 100 and Rivals.com gave him a four-star rating.
Luke Sanders – Some people compare this 6-foot-3 West Monroe product to former LSU star linebacker Bradie James, but Sanders may be faster.
Jacob Hester – LSU’s problems with recruiting Shreveport powerhouse Evangel may have ended with the commitment of Hester, who originally committed to Texas to play fullback.
Craig Steltz – It was widely considered a slam dunk, but Steltz, a 6-foot-2 safety prospect from Rummel High School in Metairie made the LSU coaching staff sweat it out before committing. Steltz, the younger brother of LSU fullback Kevin Steltz, took a visit to Colorado but ultimately, he was LSU’s to lose.
Charles Alexander – LSU’s pipeline to Breaux Bridge High School continues with Alexander’s commitment. With the likes of Domanick Davis and Jessie Daniels coming from Breaux Bridge, that school has been good to LSU. The 6-foot-3 defensive lineman is rated as a four-star prospect on rivals.com out of a possible five stars.
Glenn Dorsey – This 6-foot-3 defensive tackle from East Ascension High School in Gonzales has one of the quickest first steps his high school coach has ever seen. Rivals.com gave him a four-star rating also.
Tremaine Johnson – Another defensive line prospect committed to LSU, Johnson is 6-foot-2, 255 pounds and hails from Houston.
Ryan Miller – This Barbe High School (Lake Charles) product originally committed to Texas A&M, where he has family ties, but later committed to LSU. Rivals.com has him as the second rated center prospect in the country.
Matt Stoltz – This 6-foot-3, 238-pound linebacker prospect from Arkansas is rated as a four-star prospect by rivals.com and is fully qualified.
These prospects are given three-star ratings by rivals.com and are solid LSU commitments.
Mit Cole, 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, tight end (Mississippi); Brett Helms, 6-foot-3, 300 pounds, offensive lineman (Arkansas); Max Holmes, 6-foot-4, 286 pounds, center (Baton Rouge, Parkview Baptist); Jeffrey Jack, 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, defensive back (Houston); Chevis Jackson, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, wide receiver (Mobile); Tyson Jackson, 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, defensive end (West St. John); Quinn Johnson, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, linebacker (West St. John); Curtis Taylor, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, DB (Franklinton); Jerald Watson, 5-11, 205 pounds, running back (Morgan City).
Junior College Prospects
E.J. Kuale – This 6-foot-3, 225 pound linebacker prospect from Dodge City Community College is given a four star rating by rivals.com.
Mario Stevenson – A 6-foot-2 cornerback prospect from Northeast Mississippi Junior College, he may offer immediate help on the corner.
Claude Wroten – This 6-foot-3, 315 pound defensive tackle from Mississippi Delta Community College has a five-star rating from rivals.com.