re: So, both Gino and Jimmy are saying surprise commit

Why not?? You take the best available talent and 2 of those backers aren't there anymore anyway. Beckwith on the line and the other is a FB now so yes we take the best talent we get. I hope it's Street or Valentine! Or Malik M!!! I want two of these Lineman we are after BAD! KY wouldn't be bad either but we need some big time lineman!!!!

What??? aren't you a stickler for talent observation glad your not making any decisions for LSU! Debo is like 215 now and you have no clue how Riley may or may not perform, dude has skills and heart, has form tackling too, they are both too young. Chief just likes Vets out there........ They will both play. Simply put we are stacking up some depth and talent and will play the best 3 we have period. Never know who tgat might be year to year, I think our LBer core next year will be unstoppable!! Depth everywhere, and one more year in the system. These kids can mature and a light come on in a year, debo could be the best on the field next year??? Never know?

6/6

We recruited 3 DEs in 2009's #1 class, all taking OVs in Jan. McDowell used to be all Michigan. Haley sold McDowell on the Mingo/Montgomery speed rush storied tradition of LSU and the fact they put 3 DEs in the league last year. He also did the same if not better job on Lorenzo Carter - the highest rated DE on the SPARQ test LINK, a super-charged Mingo. Additionally, Chad Thomas was hoping for an offer in the summer because he idolizes Mingo/Montgomery & Edwards, copies their moves. Even though he is a recent commit to Miami (big loser), IMHO he did that because he did not get an offer YET, but would flip. He is getting rave press at UA game. LSU, Miles, Chavis, Haley and Co. are all well liked and respected for their defensive tradition and number of players in the league. As Dupre just said after Jan 2 it is likely that #1 LSU will have a lot more appeal. LINK Miles and Chavis must surely want more than anything to get back in the position of having the two best dominating speed rushing ends who can blow by linemen and rack up quarterback sacks, fumbles, hurries, batted balls, sacks for loss., draw double teams, etc. Our recruiting class is an embarrassment of riches only limited by the number of slots we can open. Stealing any of these guys, who are prized top franchise players in each of their states shows how much pull LSU has at DE. Plus McDowell is on the same team with super OOS recruiters Paris and Clifton 'Xmas Tree' Garrett, plus Quinn, and friend Godchaux. You decide: to me he looks P&G and has for a while. He would definitely draw a double team. With LSU DE tradition, coaches, and the incoming class...find the room and fill in the blank.

Mingo, Edwards, and Montgomery did not visit until Jan 16th, 18th, and 24th, same timeframe as Carter & McDowell. Mingo was a 200 lb track star with 2 yrs of football and was coached up and saw the field as a redshirt freshman. 3 yrs after enrolling M/M/&Edwards were headed to the NFL (should have stayed 4), part of the only #1 class that went 13-0 against the #1 SOS in the nation opening against #3 Oregon. National SOS for five yrs was toughest in the nation with only 11 other teams having harder schedules.
2012: 4th, 2011: 1st, 2010: 3rd, 2009: 4th, 2008: 4th
Bama, meanwhile faced: 31st, 16th, 10th, 6th, 7th, not one year as hard as our easiest. In 2013 our SEC schedule was 2 and Bama was dead last 14.

McDowell LINK Dec 30, Nola.com: McDowell said his top programs each have something to offer him and he particularly is fond of the prestige of LSU. He added that he also likes LSU defensive line coach Brick Haley.

The Southfield (Mich.) standout has also had a chance to interact with several of the LSU commitments participating in the all-star game.

"(LSU commitment Davon) Godchaux, that's my guy," McDowell said. "I knew him from a couple of different camps."

Godchaux is one of four LSU pledges, all on the West team with McDowell, in San Antonio for the Army Bowl. Safety Ed Paris, receiver Trey Quinn and linebacker Clifton Garrett are also playing.

Not nearly as bad as the bummers have.

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Look, if he can avoid blockers w/ his speed, then good for him. I'm just tired of watching our LB's not be able to shed blocks. Bama's LB's are bigger/stronger & shed blocks a lot better than we do. Part of that is their DL does a better job of commanding double teams and/or the OL can't get to the 2nd level as quickly as teams did against our D.

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Two different kinds of defenses, different kinds of players. You are really setting yourself up for disappointment if you keep comparing the two.

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bbap So, both Gino and Jimmy are saying surprise commit Because he went to Penn state. Duh

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Also the Penn State name will attract some top players regardless. Also he is not exactly locking down top. Florida Talent anyway.