Recruiting: LSU narrows focus to complete 2019 class

LSU currently sits at 19 pledges for the 2019 class with three months to go before the early signing period.

The Tigers have a commitment list comprised of five cornerbacks, four offensive linemen, three linebackers and one each at tight end, wide receiver, running back, quarterback, defensive tackle, place kicker and deep snapper.

There are needs to be met still at receiver, running back, linebacker and defensive tackle but with only six spots open as of now. Who fills those?

Siaki “Apu” Ika, a 6-foot-4, 320 pound nose tackle from Salt Lake City is visiting LSU Oct. 13th. The Tigers have stiff competition from USC, Oregon, Alabama and Washington. He is a difference maker in the middle who demands double (or triple) team blocking.

When he puts his mind to it, Ika can be unblockable. He shows good movement and blows through gaps. Ika, who recorded 128 tackles and 15 sacks in 2017, is a great for for LSU’s 3-4 scheme.

A prospect that we continually talk about is Amite defensive tackle Ishmael Sopsher, a 5 star who is also a bit of a dilemma. Let me digress.

Al Woods, a 2006 signee for LSU who was regarded as the top defensive tackle in the nation. out of Elton, spent four seasons as a solid but not spectacular player. I wouldn’t exactly call him a “bust” since the former Saints fourth round pick in 2006 NFL draft has managed to survive in the NFL and is still a productive at age 31 with the Titans. But he never hit his potential at LSU.

I see a possible similar situation with Sopsher. He could be somewhere between Glenn Dorsey and Al Woods, but I’m not sure which end of the spectrum I would rank him. I see where he can totally dominate but then I witness plays where I’m not sure where his heart, desire or conditioning are. I saw some of the same in current backup LSU nose tackle Tyler Shelvin when he was significantly overweight in high school.

I still feel that LSU has to pursue Sopsher. Dave Aranda and Dennis “Meatball” Johnson are collaborating on his recruitment. Alabama is prominently in the picture. Potential trumps all.

Inside linebacker Nakobe Dean (6-0, 220) is listed as the nation’s top senior at his position. Keep in mind that Devin White is most likely leaving for NFL. LSU has made his top top eight schools with Alabama, Auburn, Fla. State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Georgia and Mississippi State. Dean will visit LSU on Dec. 7, close to the early period when the coaches might be able to close the deal.

On November 3rd, not only does Alabama visit LSU, but a running back that Ed Orgeron wants in the class will be on campus. Noah Cain appears to be “the back” that the coaches have as top priority.

A native of Baton Rouge now at IMG Academy, the 5-foot-10, 212 pound Cain is SEC ready. The 4 star prospect has some Derrius Guice in his game. Other heavyweights in the sweepstakes for Cain include Penn State, Ohio State, Auburn, Oklahoma and Texas.

Wide receiver Devonta Lee (6-2, 212) is another local 4 star we have been watching forever. The Amite playmaker is a manchild who has had LSU on the radar since the beginning. He is a dynamic receiver who can line up today and play at the college level. LSU, Alabama and Texas A&M are Lee’s top three.

Ray Parker (6-4, 280), a 4 star from Ruston High, has to gain weight and get stronger, but he has all the potential to be a major player. He is familiar with what his chances are at LSU with the o-line. Parker has made it clear that LSU is at the top of his list. Steve Ensminger and James Cregg are giving the pitch for the Tigers but Ole Miss is making a push.

A guy to watch is 4 star edge Adisa Isaac (6-5, 220) from way up north in Brooklyn. He has LSU, Texas A&M, Penn State as his top schools. Isaac needs to fill out his frame, but he is excellent pass rusher with super strong hands.

Offensive guard Deyavie Hammond (6-3, 355) is a mammoth lineman from Lakeland, Fla. who is ranked among the top 10 interior blocking seniors nationally. Florida State, LSU, Miami, Georgia are bunched together in the hunt. He plays a little high and should melt off 20-30 pounds to reach his potential.

Jalani Williams (6-2, 175), a 4 star safety from St. Louis (Mo.), is getting the sales pitch from Bill Busch of LSU but Alabama, Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma are in the fight.

Wide receiver Jalen Curry (6-3, 196), a 4 star from Houston, has Arizona, Auburn, Tennessee and Penn State in the recruiting battle with LSU. He tallied 121 catches (no misprint) for 1,570 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2017.

Alabama is the team to beat for 3 star Montgomery outside linebacker Ke’Shun Brown (6-0, 215) but LSU, Pittsburgh and Florida are doing their best.

Bertrand Carrell (5-11, 180) at Madison Prep is a 3 star prospect who may end up making a late decision to stay in his hometown since LSU currently doesn’t have safety as a high priority. The Tigers lead with Arizona, Kentucky, Colorado State, Missouri, Memphis, Tulane, Southern Miss, and ULL.

LSU is battling Michigan for tight end Justin Stephens (6-7, 235) out of Dayton, Ohio.

Defensive tackle Kristian Williams (6-2, 272), 4 star from Memphis, is up for grabs. LSU, Indiana, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri are all bunched together in the hunt.

Raydarius Jones (6-2, 165), a cornerback from Lake Horn (Miss.), has attracted offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama and Auburn, He is a ball hawk but not quite there yet. He is athletic, reminiscent of Greedy Williams at the same stage out of high school.

Some local prepsters who have drawn increasing attention…

Country Day’s Justin Ibieta (6-4, 215) had a career day against Bonnabel, throwing for 228 yards and four touchdowns after already leading a comeback win over Amite in week one. No offers have come yet for the junior signal caller, but LSU, Tulane and Houston are watching with great interest.

West St. John senior Kylan Duhe (5-7, 180) has offers from Alcorn State, Southern and Arkansas Pine Bluff. Ole Miss is also monitoring Duhe, who paces the metro New Orleans area with 627 yards rushing plus five touchdowns and averaging 7.8 yards per carry.

Newman quarterback Martin Butcher is breaking numerous school passing marks. He has tossed for 683 yards thus far in 2018 with 12 touchdown passes while completing 67 percent of his attempts. UAB has extended an offer while Nicholls, Southern Miss and South Alabama are in the fray.

A recognizable name is local fans is Carver sophomore wideout Lynaris Elphage (5-8, 140), who averaging 10.6 yards per catch with 278 yards and two scores. His father of the same name was a star at Carver and Tulane.