Did we move forward or backward with this class?

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BUT, it's mind blowing how hard it is to get top linemen (both OL and DL) to come to LSU (at least in sufficient numbers)

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I do not see this as an O problem at all.

2018 composite ranked #15
2019 composite ranked #5
Idk ?????

Its a fair question and those who are quickly dismissive should take a deep breath.
This class ranks well according to "stars", but not materially different from many Les Miles hauls.
So, how did we recruit to our needs?
we restocked our skill positions, including RBs, DBs and WR's which have been historic strengths.
But we did not significantly improve our haul of top
OL or DL. One top player for each.

We had a cornerback depth problem. We had a #1 Runningback Problem. We had a Line problem.

We signed 4 Corners, including the #1 Corner.

We signed 2 Runningback, including the #1 Runningback.

We signed 5 Offensive lineman and 4 defensive lineman. (Edge rushers like Desmond Little will probably play most of his time on the defensive line)

This class was great, yes we missed on some big names but it was still an amazing class.

we got the best o linemen in the state. much needed. we stole a 4* OL away from major big 10 powers right out of Michigan. we got an incredible athlete at linebacker that will see early pt and can cover the field like a bandit. lost greedy and got stingley. never thought we'd get a 2 gap plug from the west in Ika (my god almighty, bama wanted him too!) . took the #1 player in Tennessee away from a damn good recruiter in Pruitt. we had "try hard, serviceable" running backs last yr and really couldn't lean on our running game while burrow got his feet wet. we signed arguably the #1 rb in America. he has breakaway speed and exceptional hands out of the backfield. we swept him away from Kirby, WHO SIGNED 5- 5 STARS. also got an underrated bruiser in tyrion. we took what ibelieve is the #1 qb out of the state of Alabama. I think parrish can turn into a weapon. he strikes me as a hurts type of qb.
remember, all of this is on paper, but these are some big "wins". yes, we "missed" on Ish. not sure we could've done anything else short of going full SMU with him. IMO- damn good class. I think Ish to bama makes us feel less adequate in comparing dicks, but its because we have bama envy. damn, a top 5 class is never a losing proposition.

LSU definitely got better as a result of this class.

Find out in 2 years

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it blows my mind that bama signed 8 DL; all 4 or 5 stars and we signed one 4 star and 3 3 stars. and our coaches busted their behinds to do that.

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When Miles allowed sabam to beat him in the 2012 NC game and in consecutive seasons after that, it opened the door for saban to build his dynasty. And when you have a dynasty, you get players all over the country. LSU must focus on the state of La. and this season was a down year for quality DLinemen. Next year I'd imagine LSU will sign more quality Dlinemen than bama. The belief is that bama has dominated LSU in every game they have played since 2012. That isn't the case. The 2017 game LSU was literally 2 plays from beating bama, the second 2012 game LSU had them beat. LSU isn't as far behind bama as it seems. But the fact remains, they must beat them on the field to close the gap. Point is, these 3 star players LSU signs are not as far behind bama's players as it seems. Right now it's become more psychological than the jimmy and the joes or the x's and the o's. No way should LSU have lost to bama 29 to 0 this past season. Their talent level is not that far advanced. They may have much more depth than LSU, but you can only put 11 on the field at a time, and LSU's 11 were not that far behind bama's. When the right class comes in, not necessarily a high rated class, but the right class, and then LSU beats bama and starts closing the gap. 1982 signing class was rated very low, but had several very good players that played on Sunday's. And that was the first class that beat bama. Not by them selves, mind you, but that class was the class that got LSU over the proverbial hump.

The answer to the OP is that we have gained a lot of ground but still lost ground to Bama and Georgia. This team is much better than it was when O took over but has lost ground every year to Georgia and Bama. Maybe 2020 class can make up a little ground.

Classes ranked from 3-7 with different services, composite ranking #5, of course we moved forward.

How in the hell you can ask the question moving backwards at all (because we had a highly ranked class) and addressed RB (4 & 5 star both from La.) and DB very impressively (Stingly-need I say more?) I will- look out for a bunch of blanketing and interceptions and also finally a dynamic punt returner, OL was OK.

Yes, our DL haul was not good except for IKA. However, the latest Utah guy Fonua at DE (rush specialist) will surprise some and that 6'6" 220 Lb DE/OLB will be a beast speed rusher off the edge because he is freaky fast (track star) and in the mold of Mingo/Chaisson, however he will redshirt and bulk up at get behind our solid LB crew. Sure, I would have loved to get B Young and Ish, but its over...move on. Are losing them the only reason you used backward in your thread title?

Let me show you a 3 deep depth chart at DL just to show you and everyone on Tiger Droppings its not doom & gloom because we missed on Ish & another big time DE... they are now Tigerbait!

2019 DL Depth Chart:

1st- DE: B. Fehoko (300#) NG: T. Shelvin (340#) DE: R. Lawrence (315#)

2nd- DE: Logan (300#) NG: IKA (350#) DE: N. Farrell (300#)

3rd- DE: J. Thomas (280#) NG: D. Livingston (340#) DE: Fonua (260#)

the rest of the DL are as follows:

DE: Davin Cotton (285#)
DE: Nelson Jenkins III (310#)
DE: Joseph Evans (310#)

There are 12 guys or 4 complete lines and the first string is very strong and second string is also a very talented group. We are in good shape with 3 Beefy NG to hold up the middle and have 3-4 very good DE. We are fine!!!

Now, our OL is fine with: (shows Ingram back) and shows 3 complete lines and 15 players

1st- LT: Charles LG: Thomas C: Cushenberry RG: Ingram RT: Deculus
2nd- LT: Wire LG: Magee C: Smith RG: Lewis RT: Traore
3rd- LT: Bradford LG: Savage C: Turner RG: Campbell RT: Perry

Noticed 2 major guys missing from the OL? Sure, I just got 2 extra recruits for the DL in original DL recruits- Dare Rosenthal (all 6'8" 335 pounds) and Chasen Hines (all 6'4 340 pounds). These are 2 huge talented guys where both can play DE and Hines could be a backup emergency NG at 340 pounds and PLUG up the middle. I'll take those 2 recruits over Ish (Lazy and takes plays off) and Moore (Maybe crazy they say) as they have been in a college system and are much stronger. Heck, Hines was a road grader last year on the OL.

Sure, these guys are good on the OL as Hines showed out big time last year at LG and Dare should be a fine LT, but that can wait next year (If he is needed in 2019 on defense)

Also, another DE if needed could be Travez Moore who can bulk up to 270. Then, don't forget we have a bunch of studs at LB right behind them in Chaisson, Divinity, Phillips, Queen, Thorten, Cherry, Clark, Baskerville, Scott plus a great haul of LB in Brooks, Starks and McCallum

And Louisiana is loaded with DL talent and we should get 4-5 top guys, including:

Jaquelin Roy- 6-4 310 DE Committed
Jacobian Guillory- 6-2 335 NT
CamRon Jackson- 6-6 280 DE Committed
Jalen Lee- 6-4 290 DE

For 2020, if we get these 4 La boys plus 2-3 good Out of state guys (like keeping the Polynesian pipeline coming) we should be fine with 6-7 DL to stock the trenches

The point of writing all this crap is to show you guys losing on Ish and maybe one more good DL is not a reason to ask if LSU is moving backwards with a #3-5 class. Jesus!! Sure, we would be a better team with 2 more studs on the DL with 3-4 years to play, but as I showed above, we are fine.