Update on LSU’s top 2018 recruiting targets

With the new early signing day just a month away, I expect things to warm up a bit, although many players will wait to take visits. Others will wait to see where assistant coaches who have been recruiting them will be for the ’18 season.

Here is a rundown on some recruits LSU has worked to secure during the stretch run. A decision could be coming soon on a few of these soon.

Quarterback James Foster, a 6-foot-3, 210 pound dual threat out of Montgomery, Alabama is a player we have mentioned in the recent past. He possesses a strong arm, recognizes coverage quickly and poses a dangerous threat as s runner. Foster was an admitted big LSU fan as a child.

LSU, Louisville, Alabama and Florida State look to be Foster’s top four. He decommitted from Missouri on Oct. 26 and also pledged previously to North Carolina in 2015. LSU offered Foster on October 25.

Defensive end Michael Williams (6-2, 260) from Dunham appears like to come down to LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss, Arizona State and Ole Miss. Dave Aranda is on the case for the Purple and Gold. He unofficially visited LSU Sept. 23. Williams answers to the name “Big Cat.”

Very athletic and powerful, Williams was at now defunct Redemptorist prior to attending Dunham. Ed Oregeron and Nick Saban have both been seen on campus.

Offensive guard Damien Lewis (6-3, 335) out of NW Mississippi Community College officially takes in the sights and sounds of Tigertown this coming weekend for the Texas A&M tilt. He visited West Virginia this past weekend. Lewis graduates in December and plans to participate in spring practice at his new school.

Lewis is a pancake block specialist and a second team NJCAA All American. It is looking to be an LSU-Alabama tug-o-war with Colorado, Ole Miss and South Carolina making up the next tier. Early playing time has him interested in LSU.

Andres Fox (6-4, 243), an edge defender from Mobile, Alabama, liked his one-on-one time with Ed Orgeron. He also likes what Pete Jenkins does for developing defensive linemen for the Tigers. Fox would fit the same spot at LSU manned by Arden Key and K’Lavon Chaisson.

Auburn, Alabama and LSU comprise the top three for Fox, Stanford appears to be a notch behind. He is a super pass rusher.

Jalen Green (6-0. 171) is currently a Texas commit out of Monroe, La. A physical player, Green is comfortable in press coverage. Corey Raymond is the recruiter for LSU. Green’s grandmother still resides in Monroe and he is very close to her. He is interested in the opportunity to play early that LSU presents.

Linebacker Andres Chatfield (6-2, 221) from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. attends American Heritage, the same school as coveted LSU recruit Patrick Surtain Jr. It looks like Miami and Florida lead the pack while LSU is a close third. Chatfield originally committed to Ohio State. He will chase down the runner from the weakside.

As time goes on, it appears more and more as though Landry-Walker wide receiver Devonta Jason (6-3, 211) will eventually sign with LSU. A one-time Tiger pledge, he has been committed to Kansas since Feb. 4. Jason has been spotted sporting LSU gloves in games. He graduates in December, so the next few weeks will bear watching.

Jaycee Horn (6-0, 174) is a commit to Tennessee. If his name rings a bell, the cornerback is the son of former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn.

The coaching change for the Vols may have an affect on Horn’s decision. South Carolina is thought to be his second choice. LSU, Alabama, Clemson, Auburn, Florida State and Georgia are in the mix.

With the expected departure of Kevin Toliver and the uncertainity of Donte’ Jackson for 2018, cornerbacks are in demand for the Tigers in this class.

Unless a complete reversal occurs, the aforementioned Surtain, Jr. is expected to sign on the dotted line with the Tigers. He could play immediately. Florida State, Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State trail LSU in the sweepstakes. Corey Raymond is on the case.

An interesting case is Rummel wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (6-1, 200), who decommitted from Florida. He also suffered a season ending injury for the Raiders and missed their final game with a knee injury. LSU seems to jumped into the thick of things with the super receiver.

Offensive tackle Badara Traore (6-8, 315) from Brooklyn, New York is considered a “must get” for the Tigers. They are in a struggle with Auburn, Oklahoma and Ole Miss. He is the premiere JUCO player at his position, and the opening for immediate playing time at LSU has gotten his attention.