Recruiting: 2023 cornerback Javien Toviano commits to LSU

Arlington, Texas cornerback Javien Toviano became the 25th pledge for LSU’s 2023 class Thursday.

The product of Arlington Martin High School had a host of suitors trying to lure him but narrowed his final four down to LSU, Texas, Michigan and Texas A&M. He said that LSU “made me a priority” and that he wanted to play “at DBU.”

List of Offers:
Alabama, Baylor, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Florida State, Colorado, Florida, Miami, Nebraska, Houston, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, USC, Texas A&M, Oregon, Texas, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and TCU.

Robert Steeples and Sherman Wilson were assigned to the recruiting case for the Tigers. LSU legends Tyrann Mathieu and Grant Delpit also helped sway Toviano, who took his official visit to campus Sept. 9.

The muscular 6-foot, 185-pound prospect possesses tremendous athleticism. He transitions well out of his backpedal while remaining step for step with receiver. Toviano is also patient and very instinctive.

This past season, he recorded 38 tackles with a pair of interceptions which were both returned for touchdowns. Toviano was named District 8-6A newcomer of the year as a sophomore starter in 2020. His brother Juma is a tailback at Rice.

Now how does Toviano’s decision affect LSU moving forward? He is is the fourth cornerback to pledge to the Tigers for 2023. There are current three cornerback commits in the ’23 recruiting class – Daylen Austin, Ashton Stamps and Jeremiah Hughes. With four-star 2022 signee Jaelyn Davis-Robinson hitting the transfer portal today, 15 players on the LSU’ 2022 roster are now in the portal.

Corners to returnto LSU next season from the ’22 roster include Ohio State transfer Sevyn Banks, Laterrance Welch and Jordan Allen.

Meanwhile, versatile defender Greg Brooks, Jr. has not officially made his decision about the NFL Draft although he did participate in Senior Day this season. LSU will concentrate heavily on the transfer portal at the position.

Another 2023 prospect LSU wants to reel in is Desmond Ricks, who is set to announce his decision Dec. 22 following his final visit this coming weekend to Baton Rouge. The final choice is between LSU, Alabama and Florida.

Ricks may be the best high school senior cornerback in the country. He is tall (6’1″), explosive and physical. The Chesapeake, Va. native out of IMG Academy (Fla.) runs a 4.5 forty and has a 39″ vertical. He is being recruited for LSU by Robert Gillespie and Travaris Robinson.

In other 2023 recruiting class notes, LSU commitments Zalance Heard, an offensive lineman, and Dashawn Womack, a defensive end, were both upgraded (depending on where you look) to five-star rated recruits.

As for the portal, one player LSU had targeted early, Shorter University tight end Kyle Morlock, is headed to Florida State.