It’s never easy to reel-in a recruiting class full of 5* prospects, but it’s much more feasible when a handful of these scarce resources reside in your backyard and the head coach is capable of generating early interest from numerous OOS 5* targets. This pretty well describes LSU’s situation for the 2022 recruiting cycle, so ‘O’ & Co. have an opportunity to load the boat with blue chip talent at positions of need on its roster. Below are the 5* recruits I believe the Tigers have a chance of signing.

Walker Howard & Will Campbell – First and foremost, a tip of the cap to Orgeron and his staff, as they are off to an exceptional start with verbal commitments from these two in-state (LA) 5* kids. Not only are Howard and Campbell outstanding prospects, but they’re helping lead the charge to recruit other elite targets, such as:

1. Walter Nolen (#1 DT, #2 natl., Cordova, TN) – Dropped a top-8 on April 2nd that included Bama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Ohio St., and others. From what I’ve gathered, coach ‘O’ is heavily involved in the recruitment of W. Nolen, as he’s been developing a personal relationship with him for more than a year now. LSU is in a very good spot w/ Nolen, and it will likely be a battle to the end between LSU, Bama and Georgia. Hopefully, the Tigers coaching staff will make a full-court press for Nolen, with Orgeron, Daronte Jones, Andre Carter, & Austin Thomas coordinating their efforts to sign the interior D-lineman.

2. Shemar Stewart (#1 SDE, #7 natl. – Opa Locka, FL) – Similar to W. Nolen, ‘O’ is taking a very “hands-on” approach in the recruitment of S. Stewart. He has been on many zoom/phone calls with Stewart, as he’s likewise been developing a personal relationship with him for more than a year now.

All of the above is great, but what really excites me is the coordinated, team-approach it LSU appears to be taking in their recruitment of Shemar Stewart. From what I’ve learned, Andre Carter is an asset to the program on the recruiting trail because he easily connects with young football players in a very organic manner. Carter’s made it clear the Tigers consider Shemar a “must-get” for the 2022 class. And then there’s Blake Baker, who already has a relationship with Stewart from his time as Miami’s DC. Lastly, Daronte Jones is taking an active role in recruiting defensive targets, and he can effectively communicate how each recruit will fit in and be used in the defense.

3. Denver Harris (#3 CB, #6 natl. – Houston, TX) – On February 21st, D. Harris dropped a top-4 of Bama, LSU, Texas A&M, and Texas. Harris attends the Houston-area powerhouse, North Shore HS, and the Aggies have apparently been having some success recruiting this area, of late. Not surprisingly, the aTm faithful believe Harris is a near-lock to end up in College Station. It also comes as no surprise that the UT fanbase believes Harris is leaning their way (since hiring Sark, their arrogance has already become obnoxious as hell). And without fail, the Bammers love where they sit for Harris, because they basically believe it’s their God-given right to swoop-in and pluck whichever OOS targets they choose – particularly from the state of Texas.

As for LSU, I believe we have a legitimate chance with Denver Harris – and as long as Corey Raymond is recruiting corners for LSU – I will probably feel that way for most CB prospects that we pursue all-out.

Here is what D. Harris, himself, had to say about LSU: “My relationship with coach Raymond and coach ‘O’ has been solid since Day 1, and they’ve always made sure to consistently reach out and assure me that I have a home in Baton Rouge. From the first time I stepped on campus at LSU, they’ve made me and my family feel welcome and it’s always felt like home, which is a good sign and that initially was really the first thing that stood out. Of course, it’s DBU, NFLSU and that goes without saying but the off-the-field vibes are just as important to me.”

4. Devon Campbell (#1 OG, #8 natl. – Arlington, TX) – Dropped a top-8 on March 14th that included Texas, aTm, Oklahoma, LSU, Bama, FSU, USC, and Houston. It’s been reported, however, that Campbell is “certainly interested in [playing college football] somewhat closer to home”, which points to Texas, aTm, Oklahoma, and LSU having a geographical advantage in the recruitment of the DFW prospect.

By all accounts, ‘O’ and Cregg are heavily pursuing D. Campbell, as they touch base (phone calls & text messages) roughly 3-4 times a week, and they recently had a zoom call with him and his father (who is an active participant of & closely involved with Devon’s recruitment). According to Devon, it sounds like the LSU message has been well received and sparked genuine interest, as he was quoted as follows when asked about LSU: “I constantly talk to coach Cregg and coach ‘O’. Just their tradition, a championship mindset, physicality all the time.” Campbell also intends to make an OV to Baton Rouge in the coming months. While I think LSU has a legit shot here, I also believe it will be hard to pull this kid out of Texas - will just have to wait & see.

5. Harold Perkins (#1 OLB, #12 natl. – Cypress, TX) – I’ve not heard/read much on the recruitment of Harold Perkins, other than the fact that he’s a NOLA-native that now resides in the Houston, TX area. In an August 2020 interview, Perkins’ identified LSU as one of many programs that he’s actively interested in. Additionally, he provided the following statement about LSU being an early contender for his services: “I’m from New Orleans so I have a different respect and feel for LSU than most people. Coach O is a great dude and he always wants to make time to talk about twice a week. For me, LSU’s recruitment of me has to be different from everyone else’s. Since a little boy, I (have held) them to a different standard with or without a championship. Louisiana is my birth place so LSU has the opportunity to make it my home.”

Based on this quote alone, I’m not exactly sure about the positivity or negativity Perkins has towards LSU, but it was a unique thing to say and I liked how he seemed to speak directly from his heart about the topic. I’m not exactly sure where LSU stands currently with H. Perkins, but I really hope they can get an OV and make a run at pulling him out of Texas.

6. Gentry Williams (No. 3 Ath, No. 37 natl. – Tulsa, OK) – Dropped a top-6 of Arky, Florida, LSU, Mizzou, Oklahoma, & USC back in February 2021. In an interview with S. Wiltfong, he went a step further by revealing a pecking order of (i) LSU, (ii) OU, & (iii) USC within his six (6) finalists.

G. Williams is also a track star – as in, potentially able to participate in the Olympics – and he wants to be a two (2) sport athlete in college. Obviously, LSU has a successful track program and this has aided the Tigers recruitment of Williams. Nevertheless, my gut instinct is that Williams ultimately signs with the in-state Sooners.

CONTINUED ON NEXT POST (below)