Recruiting: LSU adds more size with Livingston, Kansas tries to hold on to commitments

As we inch closer to early signing day on Dec. 20, top recruits will focus more on solidifying their intentions for college while football programs try to meet their needs by position.

For example, LSU continues to add beef up front, with the latest commitment coming at 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds.

Nost tackle Dominic Livingston from Aldine Davis High in Houston represents the second pledge for the Tigers in as many days. LSU assistant Dennis Johnson was instrumental in his commitment. Livingston officially visited campus this weekend.

The three-star recruit withdrew his committment from Texas A&M on Oct. 24, just under three from when LSU first offered. Livingston had been verbally tied to the Aggies since last December. His decision gives the Purple and Gold 20 total pledges for 2018.

Livingston sized up offers from Texas A&M, Louisville, Minnesota, Iowa State, Indiana, Texas Tech, Missouri, SMU and others. Interestingly, former LSU defensive line coach Brick Haley was his recruiter for Missouri.

The mammoth nose tackle is quick off the snap and uses his hands very well. Powerful enough to collapse pocket on his own, Livingston can move well along line of scrimmage and make the tackle. He demands double and triple team blocking. He will have to monitor his weight as he arrives at LSU but he is also a great fit in the Tigers’ 3-4 defense.

Ex-LSU signee Linsdey Scott continues to draw attention from Division I programs. The 5-11 quarterback led East Mississippi to the NJCAA national title with a 31-28 victory over Arizona Western and earned game MVP honors. Scott threw for 3,481 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, adding six rushing touchdowns this season. He completed 64.8 percent of his tosses.

Scott was named Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year following a state title at Zachary High.

Kansas and UTSA, along with Tulane have been his primary suitors. Georgia State, Western Michigan and New Mexico State have also extended offers. He has stated that Tulane has intensified their efforts in the recruitment process, but adds that he will wait until the first day of the early signing period on Dec. 20 before making a decision.

Scott has three years of eligibility if he leaves for a four-year school now. Tulane starting quarterback Jonathan Banks will be a senior in 2018.

Kansas gained a number of metro New Orleans area commitments soon after 2017 national signing day but then won only one game in 2017. Former Warren Easton High School head coach Tony Hull has orchestrated most of those pledges for the Jayhawks and earned a promotion to top assistant on the KU staff.

Currently Landry-Walker wide receiver Devonta Jason and cornerback Corione Harris, along with Hahnville’s Anthony “Pooka” Williams, are counted among the Kansas pledges for ’18. Locals have long speculated if Kansas could hold onto those commitments for signing day.

Landry-Walker defensive end Josh Smith (6-4, 250) decommitted from the Jayhawks this weekend after having pledged back on June 11. Houston appears to be his current frontrunner while Oregon State, Missouri, Iowa State, Southern Miss, Troy, UCF and UAB are jockeying for position.

It will be interesting to see if the remaining local KU pledges remain true to their verbal commitment to the Jayhawks.