LSU’s 2021 class conclusion focused heavily on offensive line needs

The early signing period back on December 16-18 is now very much in our rear view mirror but the February 3rd signing date is clearly in the cross hairs of every football coaching staff in America.

In LSU’s case, it was a bountiful early signing period ranked among the top 3-4 in the nation. The Tigers have 20 officially signed and two additional recruits committed for the ’21 class. St. James defensive end Saivion Jones newly-pledged offensive lineman Kimo Makaneole are slated to sign so that leaves three open spots.

How does LSU address those final openings?

There are two players that the staff has targeted.

Wide receiver Brian Thomas, Jr. is a 6-4, 185 pounder from nearby Walker High School. I see him as an athletic duplication of former LSU star receiver Michael Clayton. Thomas, like Clayton before him, holds offers from Division schools in both football and basketball.

It appears to be an LSU-Alabama finish for Thomas with the in-state Tigers slightly ahead at the moment. Georgia and Texas A & M are in the mix.

Offensive tackle Jordan Moko (6-5, 335) has been called the top junior college offensive lineman. He hails from Brisbane, Australia and has just scratched the surface of his potential.

Moko is probably a year away from making a major impact due to his limited experience in football. Super athletic, he spent most of his formative athletic year playing Rugby. LSU assistant James Cregg has kept the Tigers near the top in the race that also includes Oregon and Texas A&M.

Speaking of Moko, Ed Orgeron’s words continue to ring loud and clear. His staff is concentrating heavily on the offensive line. Despite the huge pluses that Ed Ingram, Chasen Hines and Liam Shanahan have all pledged to return for ’21, the current Tigers o-line needs capable competition and depth. The jury is still out on whether tackles Dare Rosenthal and Austin Deculus will return for next season as of this writing.

Transfers can always help in a hurry. Here are some potentials from the portal who wearing Purple and Gold in 2021. All are immediately eligible.

Harvard grad transfer Eric Wilson was headed to Auburn until Gus Malzahn was canned. The 6-4, 280 pounder is projected to line up at center or left guard. He teamed up at Harvard with Liam Shanahan, who played hard and steadily improved at a new position (center) in 2020, but it was apparent the struggles he encountered against SEC competition. Wilson could man the center spot and allow Shanahan to slide along the line where he could be more comfortable.

Wilson was a second team All-Ivy League in 2019 but did not have the chance to repeat that feat since that conference did not compete this past fall. He made 22 game appearances at Harvard, showing good mobility, a thick frame, and sound technique. He will graduate in May with degrees in psychology and Islamic studies. He is considering LSU, Penn State and Florida State.

T.J. Fiailoa (6-4, 340) from ULM is a three-year starter. The Lawton, Oklahoma native broke his leg in September against South Alabama, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. Warhawks head coach was fired and replaced by Terry Bowden. Good prospects are not usually interested in rebuilds.

A high grading blocker at 93%, Fiailoa has made 22 career starts. He will turn 23 years old in February. A powerful, knockout blocker, Fiailoa is very physical and strictly a guard. He has NFL potential.

Robert Congel began his career as a walk on at Texas A&M in 2017 before transferring to Arizona. He had to sit out the 2018 season due to transfer rules but played in 15 games with Arizona with 13 starts. The powerful blocker could play either right guard or center but has played the latter for most of his college career.

The 6-4, 321 pounder has a great work ethic and plays with a chip on his shoulder. A brawler who made five appearances at Texas A&M despite being a walk-on, he knows the physicality of the SEC from his days with the Aggies.