Update: LSU’s possible 2025 class and portal targets

The college football dead period for recruiting concludes on March 4. Activity will begin to pick up with respect to the 2025 class.

After assembling the 4th best recruiting class for 2024, LSU under Brian Kelly has already taken a major step towards an even better crop of signees as an encore. The Tigers have slipped to No. 2 behind Notre Dame in the 2025 rankings. The Irish boast 15 overall pledges but the Tigers have just nine including two 5-stars and four (4-star)s.

Quarterback Bryce Underwood and wideout Dakorien Moore are 5-stars considered by many to be the best at their positions in the class. Harlem Berry is the top ranked running back in the class. Offensive tackle Devin Harper, athlete Keylan Moses and cornerback Jaboree Antoine are 4-stars who may even pick up that coveted final star before signing time.

Who’s next for LSU? Here are some of the targeted players:

– RB James Simon (5-11, 198) (4-star) Calvary Baptist. The No. 4 player in Louisiana recently took an unofficial visit to Baton Rouge. Frank Wilson and Joe Sloan are on the case for LSU. Last season, Simon ran for 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns averaging 8.3 yards per carry, adding 20 catches for 214 yards and 3 scores.

– RB D’Shaun Ford (5-11, 208, 4.5) (4-star) Opelousas. The 14th ranked back in the country helped Opelousas capture a 2023 state title. Frank Wilson recruiting. His prep coach Jimmy Zachery compares Ford favorably to Mark Ingram. Squats 605 lbs. Ran for 1,370 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Single game high of 317 yards on nine carries with four touchdowns against Beau Chene. LSU leads over Alabama for the District 5-4A MVP. Don’t undersell this runner.

– WR Jacorey Watson (5-10, 175) (4-star) Pearland, Texas. Runs 11.48 100 meters. Cortez Hankton recruiting for LSU. LSU has a slight edge over Texas.

– ATH Russell Babineaux (5-9, 165) (3-star) Acadiana High. Has run 11.43 in the 100 meters. Should become a 4-star before the process is over. LSU appears to be a near lock. He’s a game changer with a likely future at CB.

– WR Cortez Mills (6-1, 170) (4-star) Homestead, Florida. Mananged 79 grabs, 1,640 yards and 18 scores in 2023. All-Miami Dade Conference selection. LSU is competing with Clemson, Miami, Nebraska and Penn State.

-WR Phillip Wright III (6-1, 180) (3-star) Destrehan. Cortez Hankton and Frank Wilson recruiting. LSU came in late with an offer on January 27, 2024. Tigers are in battle with Mississippi State.

– WR Kaliq Lockett (6-2, 175) (4-star) Sachese, Texas. Ranked No. 3 at his position in the country and the No. 3 player overall in Texas. Cortez Hankton handling duties. Had 59 catches, 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023. Long jump 20′ 11.5″ and triple jump 42’4″. Long arms, more quick than fast.

-WR Adrian Walker (5-10, 180) Belleville, Michigan. LSU holds the lead over Eastern Michigan. Cortez Hankton recruiting.

– OT Lamont Rogers (6-7,305) (4-star) Mesquite, Texas. 6th ranked offensive lineman in class. All-district in basketball. LSU may be pulling away rom Oklahoma, Texas and SMU. Brad Davis on the case. Drive blocker, good base and balance.

– DB D.J. Pickett (6-2, 170) (5-star) Zephyrhillis, Florida. Posted 10.62 in the 100 meters. One of the top safeties in the nation is the No. 1 player in Florida. LSU commit Keylan Moses keeping in contact. LSU, Georgia, Miami, Oregon and Michigan are in a battle. His uncle Ryan Pickett played at Ohio State and became a first round NFL pick by the Rams in 2001.

– CB Gregory Xavier Thomas (6-2, 190) (4-star) Fort Lauderdale, Florida. LSU, Florida State and Miami in pursuit with Seminoles in lead.

– OT Darius Afalava (6-5, 320) (3-star) Lehi, Utah. Brad Davis handling matters for LSU. Washington, Oregon, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Utah and Akansas waging a battle.

– DT Corey Adams (6-4, 255) Edna Karr (3-star). LSU is in a good spot with Frank Wilson. TCU , USC , Georgia Tech and Tulane in fight. Ex. Karr star Eric Henderson recruiting for USC.

– DT Kevin Oatis (6-1, 285) (4-star) Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Bo Davis handling recruiting. A game changer. The Tigers are in a tug-o-war with Ole Miss.

– LB Mantrez Walker (5-11, 215) Buford, Georgia, (3-star). LSU, Colorado, Penn State, Ole Miss and Miami.

– DB Dante Alexander (6-3, 200) Miami, Florida. LSU is in a battle with Maryland.

– FS Jadyn Hudson (6-2, 175) (4-star), Pittsburg, California. Had 53 stops and six interceptions with two returned for scores last season. LSU is part of the chase with USC, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Ohio State, Washington, Tennessee and Penn State.

– CB Cobey Sellers (6-0, 175) (4-star) Pearland, Texas. The 18th ranked player in Texas. LSU, Baylor, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma, Michigan. Flips hips. Visited LSU recently.

– EDGE Tyler Lockhart (6-3, 205) (4-star) Winona, Mississippi. , Brother is a Mississippi State commit. 93 OTs last season.. Can dunk a basketball. Good in pass coverage. Ga. Tech, LSU, Baylor, South Florida, Ole Miss, Toledo, Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech and Vanderbilt all have interests.

– CB Mark Manfred (6-2, 175) (3-star) Marieta, Georgia. LSU is in competition with Clemson, Miami, SMU, Kentucky, Auburn, Texas A&M, South Carolina, West Virginia, USC, Duke, Wisconsin and Memphis.

The second transfer portal window swings open May 1-15. You can expect additional names to pop up on the list. Here are a few players who could draw LSU’s interest:

– RB Rashad Amos (6-2, 234) Miami (Ohio) a position of vital need. He began career at South Carolina before transferring to Redhawks. Ran for 1,075 yards and 13 scores last season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Big, physical runner. Had 180 yards rushing vs. Appalachian State and 163 yards against Ohio U. 2 years remaining.

– OC Grant Bingham (6-5, 321) Kentucky. Has three years of eligibility remain. Charles Turner, LSU’s starting center, has departed so Brian Kelly would like to open up the competition for that spot.

– OC Landon Hatchett (6-2, 310) Washington. Listed as No. 2 center in 2023 class by ESPN. Stands out on the field with shoulder-length blonde hair. Played in nine games for Huskies as a true freshman. He is 22nd Husky to hit the portal since the departure of head coach Kalen DeBoer.

– RB Mike Washington (6-2, 215) Buffalo. The Utica, New York native had 987 yards rushing over the past two seasons with nine scores.

– LB Marvin Ham (6-1, 215) Colorado. The 12th best inside ‘backer in the 2019 class. One year remaining. Played in 40 games with 10 starts, 36 tackles an a sack.

– OT Kiyaunta Goodwin (6-8, 353) Florida. Massive size. Was 2022 5-star prospect, No. 1 player in Indiana and No. 2 overall OT in his class. Sat out 2023 after transferring from Kentucky to Florida, where he was only with the Gators 7 months (January-July). Has two years of eligibility.

– CB Fred Davis (6-1, 200) UCF. The senior is a transfer from Clemson (2020-2022) where he played in 27 games.