2010 Class Evaluation to this point...

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around much lately, but I thought I would give my .02 at this point in the process with a little less than 1/2 the 2010 class full.

This is also in response to the "WEAK recruiting class" thread that was begun.

It's long, but I hope you all enjoy.

Since it seems as though Lee Chat. wants someone to be objective about the class then I will take a stab at things. I have been pretty good in the past about figuring out where a guy will end up in the rankings or his general value as a prospect overall (yes, I disagree from time to time with everyone...but thats part of the game of recruiting).

I normally lay off 'assigning' a personal ranking to a guy until I can get a better feel for the entire class nationally. But for now, I'll give my general consensus or every play committed thus far:

We'll start with the lowest ranked guys moving to the highest:

Jamarcus Hardrick-- He is a HUGE man at 6'7 coming out of a JUCO program. He has yet to be rated but is a sure fire 4 star when the time comes. If there is one thing I (and any LSU fan that follows recruiting) should know, it is the trust Les with the OL recruiting. Hardrick will be able to come in, in the following season and fill in from the start. I can see him being put at LG and then moving Barksdale over to LT to create a strong left side to run along. Nonetheless, he fills a major position of need.

Brandon Worle -- Without question, one of the best FB prospects in the country. FB is a definite position of need with only Dominic Allen being available in the fall. Worle will at least be a 5.7 FB in the end and could push for a 4th star. He's a sure fire player, that fills a position of need, with great athleticism. Plays with a mean streak and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He is everything you look for in a FB.

Nick Jacobs -- 5.6 3 star. This is a guy I have not been able to look at enough. However, from all reports from people that have seen him play basketball, he is a huge kid at 6-5--6-6 with great athleticism. There isn't a ton of video available with him, but at the WORST you have a 6'5 TE that can turn into a monster run blocking TE with some added weight (and if TE doesn't work out, he has the height to play OL). At the best you have the next Pettigrew (TE just drafted from OSU). More film will emerge from this kid as the year progresses. I think he will be a 5.7-5.8 3(3 or 4 star) when it is all said and done based purely on the athletic ability I have heard everyone praise.

D.J. Welter -- 5.7 3 star. I think he is ranked right where he belongs. I am not sold on DJ nearly as much as many of the people on the different boards I read. I think he could be a solid player, but I don't see "difference maker" written on him like I would like to see on LB's. LSU hasn't been able to get the big time LB in awhile, and I hope that changes in this class with Justin Maclin.

Luke Muncie -- 5.7 3 star LB. I was originally not that impressed with the first film I saw for Luke. Then I found out the film was actually his sophomore film and that completely changed my perception of the kid. I was later able to see some junior film and I am happy with this pickup now. I like his ability to read and react and as he has been praised across the boards, he seems to have good "closing speed." I see him being similar to Steltz except with a little more weight, and moving up as a OLB than a SS. I think he could have some big time potential as a OLB. OSU has had success at LB and if I remember correctly, he has an offer from them.

Tharold Simon -- 5.8 4 star. My first impressions of his film were "it was pretty good" vs. most people exclaiming about his ability. I've watched his film a couple more times and each time I seem to come away with a better impression. The main problem with him is that he is a true ATHLETE. I think he position will be sorted out over the course of the 2010 class with the commitments we get at other positions. I am indifferent on which position he plays at LSU...He is talented, but I think it will take him a couple years to contribute at either WR/SS because he'll have to refine his game technically. I'm up in the air on him though--could be a superstar, but I don't know if it'll be on Offense or D.

Justin Hunter-- 5.8 4 star. VASTLY UNDERRATED. He will be a top 100 kid by the end of his senior year. I believe that 100%. He has EVERYTHING you look for in a WR except maybe elite speed. His leaping ability is unlike almost anyone in football (no matter the level). at 6'4 with a legit 40" vertical the kid does not have a ceiling. He needs to add weight, but I think a solid RS year where he focuses on the weight room and refining his route running and you could have a Randy Moss caliber player. This is one of the biggest steals LSU has had in years IMO. By the way, the film available for him is from his sophomore year I believe...there are a couple clips from his game against Oscar Smith where he catches two TD passes about as effortlessly as I have seen from a highschool player.

Mike Davis -- 5.8 4 star. I recently read that he ran a 4.34. Even if this is hand timed, it would mean he runs a sub 4.5 so speed isn't as issue. I think he will translate into a player very similar to Early Doucet. Sure handed, makes a big play every now and then, but a dependable guy that will get it done on the field. I think most believe him to be vastly underrated. I think he is underrated some, but I do not see him being a top 100 player nationally. I'd say around the 110-140 range if I personally ranked him.

Eric Reid -- 5.9 4 star. #72 overall nationally on Rivals. I don't think I have to say much. He will eventually be the leader of the defense. Smart kid that knows the game and has the athletic ability to do anything you ask of him. Him at SS and Loston at FS will be a tandem that we are talking about for a long time. I could see him moving into the 40s with a good senior year. It is hard for Rivals to include intelligence and 'intangibles' in their rankings...but this kind has it.

So there is my take. Sorry it is long. I don't see how you can really be upset with that start unless the LB selections up to now disappoint you.

As long as we finish with at least one big time LB in this class then I feel like the position will be fine for the future. We don't need 3-4 freaks at LB every year like UF has done the past 3 years only 2-3 play and most play pretty early in there career and stick with the program for 4 years. If you can find one 'very good starting LB" out of every 3 you sign, then our LB corp will be fine. There are players called 'role' players...not everyone can be drafted.

Our WR crop this year is about as good as ever. I don't know who we finish it with. I hope Trovon is one of them, but the fourth spot could go to anyone. I think it will depend a lot on how the young guys develop during the year. If the young guys aren't doing so swell, then I would give Martavious Lee (JUCO) a serious look to get some immediate help at WR.