Deep Dive into perception of Bama stealing LA recruits

TLDR; Summary: In the last 10 years, LSU has lost 3 in-state recruits to Alabama that were big losses, and 2 in-state recruits that I would consider decent losses. Every other LA recruit that went to Alabama, LSU either didn’t recruit or replaced with an equal or better recruit. The reality is not as bad as the public perception.

Below is a list of every LA recruit that has gone to Alabama in the last 10 years. When LSU loses an in-state kid, we usually attempt to replace that kid with an out of state player.

2019) Zero LA Recruits so far

2018) Slade Bolden RB – Didn’t recruit.
Eddie Smith CB – Didn’t heavily recruit.

2017) Dylan Moses ILB– We replace Moses with Jacob Phillips from Tennessee. Moses was the 13th ranked player nationally, and Phillips was ranked 61 nationally. Comparable players IMO. Minimal loss here.
Devonta Smith WR – Did not directly replace him with someone, but WR was not a big need in this class. The loss here may be that this opened a pipe line to Amite, but this remains to be seen.
Phidarian Mathis DL – Decent loss here.
Chris Allen OLB/DE – Directly replaced him with K’Lavon Chaisson. We got the better player IMO.
Isaiah Buggs DL - Big loss here. He went to JUCO in Mississippi, but High school in Ruston.

2016) Shyhiem Carter CB – We got Greedy, Fulton, Savion Smith in this class, enough said.
Irv Smith Jr. – Didn’t recruit.

2015) Dylan Charlot WR – Didn’t recruit.

2014) Cam Robinson OT – Easily Biggest Loss here.
Hootie Jones S – Directly replaced him with Jamal Adams, enough said.
Cam Sims WR – Didn’t heavily recruit.
OJ Smith DL – Didn’t heavily recruit.

2013) Tim Williams OLB/DE – Decent Loss here. He became a better player than his recruiting ranking, it happens.

2012) Landon Collins S – Big Loss Here. Replaced him with Corey Thompson and we missed here.
Denzell Duval WR – Didn’t heavily recruit.

2011) Zero

2010) Zero

2009) Eddie Lacy RB – we laid off because of grades and let’s not act like RB was a problem in this era.

Big Losses – Cam Robinson OT, Landon Collins S, and Isaiah Buggs DL

Decent Losses – Phidarian Mathis DL and Tim Williams OLB/DL