Lewis Neal visit/Frank Herron decision and top 5

I like Herron and i think he would be a take for sure,he has been on campus.

I was thinking Tennessee would be our biggest competition, not MSU

Herron has been one I have gone back and forth over. He is on the bubble for me; I would wait to take him unless I was blown away by his camp. I say that because we are recruiting so many DEs right now (around 16-18) and I think we have decent or better chances with a lot of them. That being said, I would be happy if he ends up in this class.

He has great size at 6'5" 250 lbs; he can easily put another 25 lbs of muscle on that tall frame and play around 275-280. Watching his film, he reminds me a bit of Tyson Jackson when he played at St. John. He has good closing speed and field vision; he plays aggressively, trying to strip the ball a lot; has a big wingspan; needs to work on learning how to use his hands better to keep blockers at length; tackling needs some refining; I think he has a high ceiling and a lot of potential. Herron is like a bigger Beckwith.

Regarding Neal, I think he is more fundamentally sound; disciplined, smart football player and instincts, tackles well, uses hands well, keeps containment and position, sheds blocks, good vision. However, he does not have the speed or size that Herron does.

Bottom line: both guys are good solid recruits and I would be happy if they were part of the class. That being said, I want guys like Prevot and Williams who are on a higher level IMO.

You don't turn down Herron, and he's not close to 250 IMO.

I think you take herron if this is a 4 DE class. I don't think Herron scares off Williams or Prevot. if you miss on one of them you still have 3 de. no way you get 3 top end guys say add in walker from florida. neal is not a take at de right now.

I saw him at the spring game and he looked about 230 to me.

Getting Tim,Prevot as the #1 and 2 guys and then add Patterson and Herron and wow. Plus Hunter from last year and i like where we are at after Mingo/Montgomery/Edwards leave.

Agree with everyone about Herron. I'd take him in a minute but the coaches have to have an idea about how it would affect Williams and Prevot or if they feel those 2 are guys they'll land. I think Williams and Prevot are on a different level but also different types of DEs. They are both weakside guys in a perfect world. Patterson and Herron are strongside. Also can sell Herron as a DT recruit to Williams and Prevot. The question the staff has to ask themselves, is Herron a talent you feel is on that top end level and worth the risk of it affecting Williams/Prevot? Also is his talent too good to pass on and regret missing on if Williams/Prevot goe elsewhere? To me yes but my opinion doesn't count.

With Neal I'm not convinced he's a take. In a 4 man DE class, sure and I think we're going in that direction but is he worth taking early? I'm not sure. Also how does he affect Beckwith's status? Is Beckwith truly a LB recruit or is he being sold as a DE? Neal is dicey unless the staff is absolutely convinced he's a guy they want. All in all, a very nice situation to be in for our staff. These types of decisions are why they make the big bucks.

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Also how does he affect Beckwith's status? Is Beckwith truly a LB recruit or is he being sold as a DE?

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This is the big question. We know Beckwith wants to play LB. If we run the table and end up with Prevot, Williams, Herron, and Patterson where does that leave Beckwith? Is Beckwith then our LB recruit for this class? If we land 3 of the 4 mentioned, do Chavis and Haley convince him to be the 4th DE? Or do we take Beckwith without specifics; that is, let him know he will be at DE or LB, whichever is needed and best for him at that time?

Of course, all of this assumes Beckwith will be part of this class which I hope he will but I'm not sure.

Nebraska says he would play LB there but I don't see him going way up to Nebraska. IMO this is a LSU-Bama battle all the way. If he would show more interest elsewhere he would get a lot more offers but he has more or less let it be known through his words and actions that he likes LSU and Bama.