NOTEBOOK: LSU 2024 football recruiting targets

National signing day for 2024 is aways off yet the process of recruiting top prospects is unending.

Brian Kelly has already gotten a good jump start with eight verbal pledges. Of course, LSU’s efforts will evolve. Some go while others arrive to end up signing.

Here is a look at part of LSU’s hit list for 2024 at this juncture.

– LB Keidrick Richardson (5-11, 220) De La Salle, The Tigers offered him as a 9th grader. He will deliver the big hit, is a team leader, plays sideline to sideline, very physical tackler. He has good football speed. The Tigers are clear favorites.

– WR Koby Young (6-0, 175) Holy Cross, should soon be upgraded to a four-star, 4.38 speed. A two-time All-District performer. He is the younger brother of Kalija Lipscomb, who played at Jesuit before excelling at Vanderbilt prior to playing in NFL. Koby has big play ability and is a smooth route runner. Young is the 10th overall ranked player in Louisiana. LSU holds a distinct advantage over Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, Tulane, Charlotte, Alabama, Florida State and Troy.

– WR Tre’Dez Green (6-8, 239) East Feliciana. Reminds most of NFL Hall of Famer and former Southern star Harold Carmichael. Green is considered the second best player in Louisiana for 2024. He is a power forward in basketball, where he excites crowds with thunderous dunks. Green wants to play football and basketball in college. Houston has offered in basketball. LSU has an overall advantage. Reminds some of former NFL star tight end Tony Gonzalez.

– OT Weston Davis (6-4, 285) Beaumont, Texas. LSU is ahead of TCU, Texas Tech and Houston.

– EDGE Colin Simmons (6-3, 225) is a five-star player from Duncanville, Texas. Simmons is considered the fifth overall prospect in the 2024 class. LSU appears to be ahead of Georgia, Oklahoma and TCU. Simmons won the MVP award in his district in both his sophomore and junior seasons. In 2022, Simmons recorded 22 sacks. He visited LSU June 25th. Reminds many of B.J. Ojulari. Simmons uses his hands very well, dips his shoulder on the edge and bends the edge.

– EDGE Kolaj “Tut” Cobbins (6-3, 220) A four-star player from Destrehan, LSU is among his top options, along with Ole Miss, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and Michigan. Ranked as the 19th best outside linebacker in his class, Cobbins had 12 sacks as a sophomore. LSU assistant Jamar Cain is handling the recruitment. Cobbins had a great visit to LSU recently. He is being called the best linebacker produced by Destrehan since Burnell Dent, who finished as Destrehan’s and Tulane’s all-time leading tackler upon completion of his eligibility at both. He delivers a big hit, squeezes down the line.

– DT Charleston Collins (6-4, 260) Pine Bluff, Arkansas. A four-star, LSU is his leader over Arkansas, Ole Miss and Alabama. His recruitment is being handled by Jamar Cain and Matt House.

– DT De’Myrion Johnson (6-3,280). Johnson is a four-star-rated player from Westgate High. Johnson runs in the 4.8 range. and bench presses 330 pounds and squats 485 pounds. Johnson destroys blockers with a strong lower body. LSU is favorite over Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon and Texas A&M.

– DT Melvin Hills (6-4,275) is a three-star player from Lafayette Christian. Jamar Cain on the case. The Tigers lead over Alabama, Texas A&M, Tulane and Texas.

– SS Tylen Singleton (6-2,200) Singleton is rated as a four-star player from Many. Singleton is the No. 5 rated safety in the country. He played as a freshman. LSU has his attention over Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Notre Dame. Matt House is handling his recruiting. Singleton is a track participant in the 200 meters, 4 X 200, 4 X 400, high jump and triple jump.

– CB Wardell Mack (6-1, 170) is a four-star player from John Ehret who has recorded a 4.58 in the forty-yard dash, along with a 38″ inch vertical jump. LSU is holding off Michigan State. Alabama, Duke, Tulane, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Florida State, Nebraska and Mississippi State who are all trying to make a case. LSU has assigned Frank Wilson, Robert Steeples and Kerry Cooks to Mack. the Tigers look to be putting distance between themselves and the rest of the pack.

-CB Jalyn Crawford (6-0, 170) 4.5, Lilburn, Georgia. Crawford is a three-year starter. Robert Steeples on the case for LSU. Crawford quats 420 pounds. Clemson, South Carolina, Michigan State, Tennessee and Georgia Tech are trying to make it a race.

– Safety Ka’ Davion Dotson- Walker (6-0, 185) is rated a four-star player from Duncanville, Texas. LSU has the lead over Texas, SMU, TCU, Oregon and Arkansas. Dotson-Walker reacts quickly, is a good open field tackler, plays deep single safety and covers a lot of ground.

-FS Foster Slaughter (6-0, 165) four-star, Bishop Amat in LaPuente, Calif. LSU has the advantage over Arizona State. Nevada, Arizona, Louisville and Florida State trying to squeeze in. He is attracted to LSU’s DBU reputation and has family from Louisiana.

– DE Ahmad Breaux (6-4, 250) is a three-star player from Ruston. He will visit LSU March 4th and Stanford the following weekend. Breaux moved to Ruston from South Carolina. He has no offer from LSU yet, but that should change in short order. Breaux has played tight end and he has good speed. His highlights jump off the screen, Breaux is very aggressive and uses hands very well. Grambling, Tulane, Ole Miss, North Texas, Louisiana (Lafayette), Louisiana Tech and Purdue are trying to sway him.

LAGNIAPPE

LSU’s spring practice begins March 9 and culminates with the spring game April 22.

Kelly and his staff have done very well in the transfer portal again.

– CB Denver Harris, arrived from Texas A&M, called the 11th best transfer portal prospect. He allowed only four catches in 98 snaps last season for the Aggies as a true freshman and only surrendered 28 yards on those catches.
– WR Aaron Anderson, the 34th best prospect in portal, arrived from Alabama. The Edna Karr alum will make plays as a return man at a minimum.
– LB Omar Speights was All-PAC 12 at Oregon State.
– CB Darian “Duce” Chestnut from Syracuse was a two-year starter and 2021 Freshman All-American.
– CB JK Johnson from Ohio State played many snaps last season and allowed only 12 catches.

There are a few notables with Louisiana connections who have found new homes elsewhere this offseason as well:

– WR Tre Harris, 35th best portal transfer, from Louisiana Tech to Ole Miss
– CB Gavin Holmes, Rummel graduate, went from Wake Forest to Texas
– QB Walker Howard from LSU to Ole Miss
– LB DeMario Tolan from LSU to Auburn