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O-Line board heading into summer...

Posted on 5/21/21 at 5:03 pm
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/21/21 at 5:03 pm
With summer camps set to kick-off June 5th, my best guess for LSU's offensive line board is as follows:

1. Kelvin Banks (LT, 6'5", 300-lbs., #25, 5*)
2. Julian Armella (LT, 6'6" 300-lbs., #121, 4*)
3. Kam Dewberry (G/RT, 6'4" 313-lbs. #100, 4*)
4. Emery Jones (C/G, 6'4" 320-lbs., #247, 4*)
5. Devon Campbell (G/RT, 6'3.5" 310-lbs., #8, 4*)
6. Earnest Greene (G/RT, 6'4.5" 330-lbs., #59, 4*)
7. Malik Agbo (G, 6'5.5" 320-lbs.#270, 4*)
8. Neto Umeozulu (G/RT, 6'4" 300-lbs., #164, 4*)
-----------------------------------------------
9. Jacob Hood (OT, 6'8" 335-lbs., #418, 3*)
10. Zxavian Harris (OT, 6'6" 320-lbs. #162, 4*)
11. Deone Walker (OT, 6'7" 340-lbs., #362, 3*)
-----------------------------------------------
12. Kaden Moreau (C/G, 6'4" 265-lbs., n/r)
13. Cam East (OT, 6'7" 285-lbs., #427, 3*)

The 1st group of OL (Nos. 1-8) are top-300 prospects per the 247sports composite, and I'm really hoping 'O' & Cregg can pull two (2) more recruits from this talent pool. This would give LSU a total of five (5) HS recruits for the 2022 class

The 2nd group of prospects (Nos. 9-11) are listed as "DTs" by the recruiting services. Based on their measureables (6'6"-6'8" 330-345 lbs.), however, I'm predicting these guys end up on the O-Line in college. They remind me of Dare Rosenthal, who was pegged as a 6'7" 327-lb. "DT" in the 2018 cycle.

Lastly, Kaden Moreau & Cam East are in-state lineman who have not yet been offered but are expected to be in attendance at LSU's OL/DL camp on June 5th. We'll see if either local product can impress enough to earn a scholarship offer in the coming weeks.

What I'm hoping for...
Cregg has to earn his keep (as a recruiter) with the 2022 class, as we're going to be replacing numerous pieces from the 2021 O-Line. And while they've started strong w/ three (3) verbal commitments from Will Campbell, Lucas Taylor & Bo Bordelon, I want to see a strong finish to the 2022 OL haul that includes:

i) Kelvin Banks or Julian Armella (i.e., a 2nd legit OT w/ length, athleticism, & strength) AND

ii) Emery Jones

P.S. - After watching M. Agbo's tape, he pretty clearly projects as a Guard, IMO. To me, Emery Jones projects as a better interior OL.
This post was edited on 5/21/21 at 6:11 pm
Posted by Chalkywhite84
New orleans
Member since Dec 2016
33823 posts
Posted on 5/21/21 at 5:26 pm to
What happened to fisher anderson?
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/21/21 at 6:00 pm to
That's a good question, no smoke whatsoever. I'm not sure if off-the-field stuff turned him off to LSU or what, but I haven't heard a thing (nor been able to find anything that suggests he's still interested)...
Posted by Captain Crown
Member since Jun 2011
56184 posts
Posted on 5/21/21 at 8:12 pm to
Great work!!
Posted by Jb1994
Member since Sep 2018
2116 posts
Posted on 5/21/21 at 8:53 pm to
I really hope cregg doesnt shite the bed again. Not trying to be a downer but damn man we where in on a few top tier lineman last year and we got one blue chip and one project (who I like btw) that we had to scramble at the 11th hour to get
Posted by I20goon
about 7mi down a dirt road
Member since Aug 2013
19149 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 1:16 am to
Agree Devon Campbell belongs in that first group; not sure where in that group but if he comes into the first camp or two ready he could end up being one of our high(er) priorities.

One I don't see listed is Tyler Booker; looks like a UF lean. We will be on him hard down to the wire and are/will be doing everything possible to get him into one of the camps while Bama and UF will be trying to keep him from everybody elses camps. His agility/movement for a big man is just shy of "elite". With P5 coaching he will be elite.

Harris (10) and Walker (11) just don't move well enough. It can be improved, but it will take years and I have my doubts it can improved enough for our level of play and the DEs/DTs/OLBs faced game in and game out. Hood is closer and has a little bit more agility. If had to choose of those 3, Hood would be it.

Armella is just right on your list. Probable/Possible 2nd year starter frame & feet. I'd say he and Banks are 1a and 1b with us on the outside looking in for Booker.

I'm going to halfheartedly disagree with you on Agbo while acknowledging he would have to work at it to get to OT from inside. There's flashes where his footwork wows you. And then times where you just shake your head. I'm not talking laziness either, technical movement- simple and stupid mistakes and lots of wasted movement that equals slow. He lacks some pop too and doesn't get out of his stance well. Is that poor HS coaching? If yes, maybe OT. If no... I dunno. His road is much longer to OT if some good coaching isn't an instant cure.

ETA: thank god we have camps this year. Evaluating HS OL and then projecting them off of film is more gambling than recruiting.
This post was edited on 5/22/21 at 1:19 am
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 5:54 am to
Excellent analysis and insight, I20goon. Thanks so much for offering this. Perhaps I'm a huge nerd, but I've gotten to the point in life where I enjoy breaking down O-Lineman and O-Line play. It's such an important part of the game, but most folks pay zero attention to it (including myself until recently).

Regarding Tyler Booker, the only reason I didn't include him in my list was because I haven't seen/heard much (if any) smoke around him and LSU.

Not sure if you've checked out the tape for Neto Umeozulu or not, but I found him to be a very impressive prospect that could almost assuredly be a RT at LSU. I know 'O' & Cregg have been working him consistently hard for a while, and the kid has family that currently lives in BR (not far from campus) so the thought is that we will get some form of a visit from him in the near future.

Also, I'd like to know your thoughts on Earnest Greene if you get a chance to check him out. 'O' offered this kid as a freshman in HS and has been personally involved in his recruitment since. Greene has us in his top-10 and is supposed to be making it to LSU campus sometime in June (which won't be his first BR visit, but an important one nonetheless). Greene's a bigger kid, but seemed pretty athletic to me. I read that he's interest in playing outside (RT, I'm sure), and that 'O' & Cregg have been open to the idea.
This post was edited on 5/22/21 at 5:58 am
Posted by geauxGreeks
Member since Sep 2012
1831 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 6:14 am to
Booker has all 5 ov booked to schools on his top 5 list. LINK
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 6:21 am to
Yeah, seems like we were never quite able to get good traction with Booker for whatever reason.

I know he’s originally from Connecticut and been a FL (IMG) resident for last few years. Maybe BR is to far of a distance for him, I honestly have no idea what happened with him
Posted by geauxGreeks
Member since Sep 2012
1831 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 6:47 am to
Agree, was hopeful on Booker. Glad to see LSU back in it w Dewberry and his pal Banks. Looking forward to hearing glowing reviews after their LSU ov in early June. Hopefully Shemar Stewart and J. Armella know that jambalaya >>>> honey fried chicken.
This post was edited on 5/22/21 at 6:49 am
Posted by dstone12
Texan
Member since Jan 2007
38550 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 6:51 am to
These are great posts dwright



Do you ever see Bordelon moving to OT with his night and current situation at weight ?

Assuming he puts on 40 from his 265.

That’s only 305 at interior. Ever see that frame moving outside?
This post was edited on 5/22/21 at 6:55 am
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 9:52 am to
My humble opinion dstone12, yes, I believe Bo Bordelon will have the opportunity to play RT before his career at LSU is complete.

I have watched a decent bit of Bo’s tape, and while he is a bit undersized currently, he is very athletic, plays with great leverage, and is as technically sound as one could be at 17 years old. Thanks to his father and current head coach at Newman (played & coached OL many years), he is advanced beyond his years from a technique and understanding of the position perspective. Additionally, Bo has a good bit of experience playing on the defensive line, so he truly has a great understanding of playing football in the trenches.

Honestly, I like Bo’s frame. Last I checked, he was listed at 6’5” and 265 lbs. From a height and length perspective he should be fine at tackle. Weight & strength are obviously not adequate currently, but he’s only a 17-year-old junior in high school. From what I read about Bo, he is one of those workout warrior types that live in the gym. I would bet he weighs around 280-285 when he arrives at LSU. He will still need to tack on another 25-30 pounds to reach 305-310 (which is still a little lite for a collegiate lineman). However I would bet Bordelon can play at a slight weight disadvantage because of all his other skills I mentioned above.

Bo just needs to continue working to develop his past blocking. Not saying it’s inadequate, he’s just a little further along as a run blocker which is to be expected considering that’s what he’s been required to do more often pass protection.

All-in-all, I like Bordelon a lot, and I believe he will have a great career at LSU.
Posted by I20goon
about 7mi down a dirt road
Member since Aug 2013
19149 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 1:08 pm to
quote:

Not sure if you've checked out the tape for Neto Umeozulu or not, but I found him to be a very impressive prospect that could almost assuredly be a RT at LSU. I know 'O' & Cregg have been working him consistently hard for a while, and the kid has family that currently lives in BR (not far from campus) so the thought is that we will get some form of a visit from him in the near future.
Neto is, to say politely, a heavy lean for us. I'll put it this way- the only reason most are saying OG for him is because of his height/length. Too much focus on measurables. His lower body is that of an OT. He's got other body work to do and his power and movement will have to make up for that lack of length, but he has a natural & innate fluidity that makes drilling/coaching movement-effeciency into him quite easy. He plays OT, he's an OT as soon as the body work is done. The part I love about him (referring to fluidity & efficiency) is that he gets to his spot in-balance and with good posture/form- thus ready and able to block after getting there. Many OL can get there, but with their form out of sorts and then that 330 lbs. just hurts the turf when they get thrown aside. And his mean streak is almost that of Campbell.

I love Greene. His athleticism is above average and I see some natural potential there where it can be honed and improved. Has to work on those feet first to start that process. Has a tendency to "stride" instead of "chop" (same issue they had to drill out of Deculus). The reason I love him is because he's got enough of all checkboxes he can be one of those "jack of all trade" guys you need to get through a season. He's on of those that you play at OG but practice/drill at OT and if the mind works well on the inside... see if the body follows and then move him outside.
Posted by mytigger
Member since Jan 2008
15280 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 1:27 pm to
Is it me or do we seem to have a much greater focus on the OL in recent years?

Derringer was the first top 10 OL to sign with LSU since forever. Having WIll Campbell on board and a laundry list of studs behind him bodes well for future teams.
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 2:14 pm to
Absolutely, positively MUST load up with this 2022 class because we going to lose 3-5 guys following 2021 season (eligibility, NFL, etc.)
Posted by dwright369
Member since Aug 2020
1357 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 2:59 pm to
Great analysis again, I20goon. Appreciate & enjoy it.

Question: Am I understanding you correctly that Neto Umeozulu is leaning in LSU's favor?? (I haven't heard much of anything on Neto in 6-8 weeks or so)
Posted by I20goon
about 7mi down a dirt road
Member since Aug 2013
19149 posts
Posted on 5/22/21 at 6:45 pm to
quote:

Question: Am I understanding you correctly that Neto Umeozulu is leaning in LSU's favor?? (I haven't heard much of anything on Neto in 6-8 weeks or so)
Maybe "lean" is an incorrect term. Lean and lead are where a school is in the decision process of a recruit. A) too early to even know that, B) Only the recruit can decide that.

I think Neto has a better relationship with our staff than any of our competitors. And that's always key... maybe not THE key, but it sets the table for the rest. Campus visits of any form can cement that and turn it into a lead or lean. In short, I think we're in a better position because of and only because of the relationship(s).
Posted by tigers32
Member since Mar 2012
5785 posts
Posted on 5/24/21 at 8:20 am to
Keep an eye on Moreau even if he doesn’t receive an offer after he camps. Can see him ending up in this class after his senior season.
Posted by Bjorn Cyborg
Member since Sep 2016
33959 posts
Posted on 5/24/21 at 8:41 am to
quote:

I really hope cregg doesnt shite the bed again.


He's already NOT shite the bed. With the OL already committed, plus Jones who is likely, anything else is gravy.
Posted by The Tiger322
Member since Dec 2019
2756 posts
Posted on 5/24/21 at 9:24 am to
Jones is honestly scaring me, something about how quiet he's been combined with the fact that he moved his date back. Don't like it.
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