Outside of the AJ Johnson commitment today (which was unexpectedly awesome), things been a bit slow on the recruiting front. And since I've been snowed-in all week up here in the 318, I put together this way-too-early prediction for the 2022 class.

I've noted a few things about this class, as well as, a few things I believe will have a significant impact on the class as follows:

A. All signs point to LSU going heavy on in-state (LA) players, so my prediction below includes sixteen (16) LA kids. Of the twenty-five (25) scholarships I'm assuming will be available, I "guesstimate" twelve (12) will be allocated to offensive prospects and thirteen (13) for defense. The Tigers have already offered nineteen (19) LA juniors as it looks to rebuild the roster in an environment that includes (i) limited evaluation opportunities due to the ongoing dead period, and (ii) unparalleled player mobility via the transfer portal. More offers are expected to be extended to LA kids in the future.

B. Offensive Line (OL) - 2022 is obviously an important year for recruiting this position. So far, 'O' & Co. are off to a great start, and I expect things to get even better with a commitment from Emery Jones on March 10th (giving LSU 4 of the 5 commitments that I anticipate for 2022). If we can secure "verbals" from 80% of the OL class this early, I feel this would give LSU the best opportunity to devote as much effort/resources as possible to landing one (1) more elite, OOS offensive tackle (OT) from the likes of Julian Armella, Malik Agbo &/or Fisher Anderson. Of course, it will be important for 'O' and Cregg to fend off Bama/Auburn whenever they inevitably turn up the heat on Lucas Taylor and try to keep him in state (AL).

C. Linebacker (LB) & Safety (S) - other than the offensive line, I believe LB and Safety are the most important positions to monitor for the 2022 class (only reason I didn't include CB is b/c of the early success we're having here). In-state (LA) prospects are a little thin for both positions, and I haven't yet seen/read much positive "smoke" around the recruitment of Javae Gilmore, Kailep Edwards & Jacoby Mathews. IMO, coach 'O' will need to have success OOS at LB and Safety.

PREDICTION
For the sake of this post, I'm assuming all ten (10) of the current commitments will stick. Here's my best guess at the entire 2022 class:

1) QB - Walker Howard (LA)
2) OT - Will Campbell (LA)
3) OG - Lucas Taylor (AL)
4) OC - Bo Bordelon (LA)
5) OG - Emory Jones (LA)
6) OT - Julian Armella (FL) or Malik Agbo (WA)
7) RB - Le'veon Moss (LA)
8) RB - Trevonte Citizen (LA)
9) WR - AJ Johnson (LA)
10) WR - Aaron Anderson (LA)
11) WR - Decoldest Crawford (LA)
12) TE - Jake Johnson (GA)
13) DE - J'mond Tapp (LA)
14) DT - Walter Nolen (TN)
15) DT - Tygee Hill (LA)
16) DE - Quency Wiggins (LA)
17) DT - Maxie Baudoin, IV (LA)
18) LB - Keaten Wade (TN) or Daniel Martin (GA)
19) LB - Kip Lewis (TX) or Travious Lathan (FL)
20) CB - JaDarian Rhym (GA)
21) S - Jordan Allen (LA)
22) CB - Laterrance Welch (LA)
23) S - Kendrick Law (LA)
24) CB - Marcus Scott (TX)
25) S - Xavier Nwankpa (IA) or Anthony Rose (FL)