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DL recruiting
Posted on 7/27/14 at 8:55 pm
Posted on 7/27/14 at 8:55 pm
Just wondering why it seems to me that we have not been hitting on "super elite" (*****) DL recruits. Of course, I understand the limited supply available in the first place... however, with the past history of AMAZING NFL-ready talent that we have placed over the years, it seems that our actual roster was a bit lacking last year (and potentially this year), especially at DT.
I understand and get the obvious point that the NFL draft and early entries have killed our usual depth... but to the same point, why aren't the elite prospects salivating and lining up to take their spots and play here, especially after seeing our past history and in many cases IMMEDIATE playing time availability. In the past we have clearly demonstrated that when we have the horses, that we will go up to a 3-deep rotation (8-10 DL-men playing regularly).
We have put so many BIG time All-Americans in the NFL like: Spears, T Jackson, Dorsey, Logan, Brockers (not to mention other top-flight college talent: M Hill, K Williams, Lavalais, Wroten, Jean-Fracois, Mingo, Montgomery, etc). However, the last ELITE (5-star) prospect we signed was Freak in the 2011 class.
Don't get me wrong... I am not completely star-struck as there has been case after case of 3-star players outshining the higher rated guy. And I know we have stocked ourselves with several 4-star DL guys over the last few signing classes. But outside of Danielle Hunter (and possibly Rasco) it amazes me that we are "lacking" on star power (especially at DT). Current DT roster is Q Thompson, Lacouture, and a litany of unproven youngsters.
And don't get me wrong again, I have faith that our D will be fine, new names step up EVERY year for us. But I don't get the apparent lack of elite recruits lining up and knocking down our door to play here. With our past history of putting DL guys in the League we were DLU LONG before we were DBU.
Just my rant... wondering if someone can help "enlighten" me.
I understand and get the obvious point that the NFL draft and early entries have killed our usual depth... but to the same point, why aren't the elite prospects salivating and lining up to take their spots and play here, especially after seeing our past history and in many cases IMMEDIATE playing time availability. In the past we have clearly demonstrated that when we have the horses, that we will go up to a 3-deep rotation (8-10 DL-men playing regularly).
We have put so many BIG time All-Americans in the NFL like: Spears, T Jackson, Dorsey, Logan, Brockers (not to mention other top-flight college talent: M Hill, K Williams, Lavalais, Wroten, Jean-Fracois, Mingo, Montgomery, etc). However, the last ELITE (5-star) prospect we signed was Freak in the 2011 class.
Don't get me wrong... I am not completely star-struck as there has been case after case of 3-star players outshining the higher rated guy. And I know we have stocked ourselves with several 4-star DL guys over the last few signing classes. But outside of Danielle Hunter (and possibly Rasco) it amazes me that we are "lacking" on star power (especially at DT). Current DT roster is Q Thompson, Lacouture, and a litany of unproven youngsters.
And don't get me wrong again, I have faith that our D will be fine, new names step up EVERY year for us. But I don't get the apparent lack of elite recruits lining up and knocking down our door to play here. With our past history of putting DL guys in the League we were DLU LONG before we were DBU.
Just my rant... wondering if someone can help "enlighten" me.
6
Posted on 7/27/14 at 9:07 pm to alumni95
Our DT talent is fine...DE is one that is most puzzling. Only thing I can say is LA doesn't seem to produce too many top flight DE's compared to the east coast. Some will probably complain about brick's dl recruiting...lorenzo carter last year would've been a HUGE pull
Posted on 7/27/14 at 9:19 pm to alumni95
2016 has some big time DTs in state
Posted on 7/27/14 at 9:22 pm to lurker124
We had a very nice de haul last year...
Posted on 7/27/14 at 9:32 pm to redfieldk717
Last year team had Johnson a five star dt and Rasco and major pull from texas
Posted on 7/27/14 at 10:06 pm to alumni95
We have a ton of young d lineman on the roster right now and will hit it hard in the '16 class. We'll end up signing at least four this year though.
Posted on 7/27/14 at 10:13 pm to GeauxLSU4
Just because they aren't 5* guys doesn't mean they aren't good. Mingo was a 3*, Danielle Hunter was a 3* and he could be a 1st rounder if he has the type of year people think he'll have.
Tashawn Bower could be a another guy who blossoms in his career at LSU.
Tashawn Bower could be a another guy who blossoms in his career at LSU.
Posted on 7/27/14 at 11:56 pm to ATH216
quote:
Just because they aren't 5* guys doesn't mean they aren't good. Mingo was a 3*, Danielle Hunter was a 3* and he could be a 1st rounder if he has the type of year people think he'll have.
I agree... that's why I made these EXACT same points in my OP. However, I'm just somewhat shocked that with the PROVEN pipeline to the NFL and recent shortage of DL depth since last year that we have not seen more MAJOR recruits at those positions. The classes were overall high quality, I'm just wondering why we can't sell our DL situation to the ELITE prospects.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 12:34 am to alumni95
Easy. It's all about 2016.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 2:50 am to Monk
Godchaux, Valentine, and Clark aren't chopped liver either. Neither were Herron or Gilmore. They aren't five stars, or athletic freaks that everybody drooled over to get, but they were great additions, and Valentine could be really special with a year in the weight room and technique. I also can't wait to see what Clark can do at DE. I think he should start opposite of Bower in 2015. Herron could line up at DE or grow to a DT, so he is one I'm keeping my eye on too.
LSU recruiting buffs shouldn't even care that much if we don't get a five star DL player ever since the last few have been not even start worthy to barely mediocre.
I mean look at our list of defensive five stars for example dating back to 2006.
2006 Al Woods
2007 Chad Jones
2008 Patrick Peterson
2009 Chris Davenport
2009 Craig Loston
2011 Anthony Johnson
Not a lot of production outside of Peterson there.
If you go a little deeper at offensive 5 stars
2005 Ryan Perriloux
2006 Keiland Williams
2007 Terrance Toliver
2009 Russell Shepard
2009 Reuben Randle
2009 Michael Ford
2010 Spencer Ware
2011 La'El Collins
2011 Jarvis Landry
Outside of Landry and Randle's junior years, none of these guys came close to the five star promise. Collins has been good, the RBs were good backups, and Toliver was decent.
The only true career dominant 5 star we've had since 2006, was Peterson. The WRs can be forgiven because of what they had a QB, but the others have just not performed to their high school billing. I think Collins will prove his 5 star worth this year, so don't get on me about him lol.
This was not a post to rag on our recruiting. It was to show that we've done pretty damn good with just these four and three stars.
That doesn't mean that I wouldn't take them though, it's just that I looked into this earlier this year and realized that many 5 stars are just seriously overrated.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 3:10 am to lurker124
Lacouture, Bower were top 20 coming out. Herron and gilmore were top 10 coming out. Thse guys were highly rated and highly recruited.
Valentine was top 5, godchaux and clark top 10. Obviously they werent the #1 rated guys at their position, but all these guys were highly rated.
Some of these guys were the best players in their state.
Valentine was top 5, godchaux and clark top 10. Obviously they werent the #1 rated guys at their position, but all these guys were highly rated.
Some of these guys were the best players in their state.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 7:00 am to alumni95
quote:I see what OP is saying... we should be one of X number schools that pull in some of the [highest rated] [best] DEs almost every year. We do seem to come in second place way too often for many of the "highest rated" one's.
I agree... that's why I made these EXACT same points in my OP. However, I'm just somewhat shocked that with the PROVEN pipeline to the NFL and recent shortage of DL depth since last year that we have not seen more MAJOR recruits at those positions. The classes were overall high quality, I'm just wondering why we can't sell our DL situation to the ELITE prospects.
Some things to consider:
- by 247 rankings there were only 4 5* DEs in 2014
- by 247 rankings there are 6 5* DEs in 2015
- we only have a realistic shat at 1 2015 (Beckner Jr), & it's long
- It's possible what Chavis/Brick value most isn't high on recruiting sites evaluations
Combine the number of 5* out there with possible depth chart issues because LSU is recruiting pretty good, the law of averages are against us for 5*'s.
For us to get both Mingo and Montgomery it took both to be sitting on a couch together in a bar to decide they should play with one another, at LSU. That type stuff rarely happens. And it was by chance they took their visit at the same time.
I'm happy with the DE recruiting even with high profile losses such as L. Carter and G. Willis.
One point on the overall DL recruiting:
Wouldn't last year have been the highest combined stars on the line? And it was one of the least productive in a while. Factor that in with my last bullet point Chavis/Brick are very particular, the 5* that's best for UTx or AU may not have the best skill set (overall) for LSU and it's style of D.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 8:05 am to alumni95
quote:
the last ELITE (5-star) prospect we signed was Freak in the 2011 class
Yet. . .
quote:
it seems that our actual roster was a bit lacking last year, especially at DT.
So maybe star rankings aren't everything?. . .
We had a great D-line class in 2013, and a good one last year. To answer your concern that "we have not been hitting on 'super elite' (*****) DL recruits": We hit on the players we want. Which has little to nothing to do with star ratings.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 10:09 am to lurker124
Miss state and ole miss have recently been getting really good defensive lineman. Let's hope these young guys we got pan out
Posted on 7/28/14 at 10:56 am to Patrick_Bateman
Thanks to ALL of you for the insight and your takes on my questions.
This board is a breath of fresh air when it comes to civilized discussion.
This board is a breath of fresh air when it comes to civilized discussion.
Posted on 7/28/14 at 2:43 pm to alumni95
No offense but you are looking at the stars too much and forgetting that LSU has been losing guys earlier than anyone else. Our DTs would be a strength this year otherwise.
Also, the staff's incredible ability to fill last year's recruiting gaps with big OOS kids is revolutionary for LSU and needs to be recognized.
We are fine
Also, the staff's incredible ability to fill last year's recruiting gaps with big OOS kids is revolutionary for LSU and needs to be recognized.
We are fine
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