Emery, Davis, Thomas, Parker and Bradford.

Like everyone else, I would love to see our passing game evolve. But the best teams are balanced and it’s the threat of a strong running game that makes defenses play man coverage to load the box and create passing opportunities. Brees is so much better when the Saints can run the ball.

No disrespect to Brossette and Edwards Helaire, who I thought outperformed expectations, but this was our weakest backfield in recent memory. Our offensive line was average at best if we are comparing them to top ten schools.

Running back and offensive line were big positions of need for LSU this year. I assume even with the big differences of opinion on here that we can agree those needs are well met if these five guys sign the dotted line this week.

All five are top 200 players. Emery is the number 2 back in the nation on 247, Thomas the number 2 ranked guard. Davis, Parker and Bradford are all heavily recruited 4 star players. Perry is a 4 star on some sites.

As much as I like passing, I do love those teams that can impose their will on other teams with physical blockers and runners. This would be a great haul in a big area of need. To win the West you have to beat Bama and to beat Bama you have to be able to run the ball better and block in the passing game better than we have the last few years.

There seems to be more focus on who we don’t have in this class, defensive linemen, than who we do have. I guess that’s natural, we need to be better on both sides in the trenches. Hopefully we land some d-linemen too.

But the running game and offensive line were huge needs this year, so an early tip of the hat to the LSU recruiting staff for bagging this impressive crew. I see Emery and Thomas as being immediate contributors. But you never know. Garry James was the highly recruited back in his class for people who remember that class. And James was good, but it was the less heralded Dalton Hilliard who was better at LSU.