Meet the Beat-Alls

Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday. I was feeling uninspired, so I decided simply not to write rather than write something frivolous. Of course, that assumes that football isn't always frivolous, but let's not even explore that question.

Today is the day to introduce readers to the really highly-rated 2008 recruits who are reportedly considering LSU. They are undeclared right now, and they are certainly looking at other schools, but LSU is among their favorites.

Offense
Julio Jones, wide receiver, Foley, AL. The consensus #1wide receiver in the country at 6'4" 215# with sub-4.5 40 and a 41" vertical. His videos are incredible. He outjumps defenders, outruns them in the open field, and must be gang-tackled. He is truly a top shelf recruit, and reportedly the #1 guy on LSU's recruiting board. He's the most highly regarded offensive playmaker to come out of Alabama since Brodie Croyle and Cadillac Williams. Most of the rumors have him leaning strongly to Bama, but probably the second most frequent rumor has him leaning to LSU because of track. His YouTube video is outstanding:



Most likely destination: Bama

Darrell Scott, running back, 6'0" 205# with a 4.4 second 40 out of California by way of Florida. He is the consensus #1 running back and a native of Florida. He ran for over 3000 yards last year and scored 45 touchdowns against solid competition. He has offers from everyone. In a year where LSU isn't dead set on taking a running back, we would certainly take him. His recruitment is national, but word is that he wants to leave the West Coast and return closer to home, most likely to Florida, but he has said some very good things about LSU, putting us in his top 3. It seems unlikely that he's coming here, but just never know how these things will shake down over the long recruiting season.

Most likely destination: Florida

Deion Walker, wide receiver, 6'4" 184# with a 4.4 second 40 and a 37" vertical, Christchurch, VA. A step below Julio Jones, but still a 5-star. He is currently on a fascinating cross-country journey with his father visiting school after school, including current favorites Florida State and LSU. He recently concluded his trip to LSU and it sounds from his quotes like he really enjoyed his time in Baton Rouge and that he got along very well with the coaches and the current players, referring to many of the players by their first names. Before this, he wasn't REALLY considered a serious prospect for LSU, but now perhaps we're rethinking that. He will also visit USC, Auburn, South Carolina, and other schools on his road trip.

Most likely destination: unknown

Matt Patchan, offensive tackle/defensive lineman, 6'7" 265#, high 4-star offensive tackle from Armwood, Florida. He's the highest rated offensive lineman still on the board for LSU. He has said that he wants an opportunity to earn playing time on both sides of the ball. I think that's unrealistic, and most high school players who want that eventually change their minds upon reaching campus and seeing how much work they have to do to earn playing time at ONE position. Patchan has visited LSU and reportedly liked what he saw. He has family history at U of Miami though, and that will be hard to overcome. Obviously, he's a little small right now, but his frame looks big enough to add 30-40 pounds without looking fat, and he looks like he's going to be a good one. Our chances seem slim, but you never know.

Most likely destination: U of Miami

DeAndre Brown, wide receiver, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 6'6" 208#, 4.6 second 40, 28" vertical jump. DeAndre is a high 4-star wide receiver with tremendous size and ability to catch in traffic. His measurables, if accurate, suggest that he is not the raw athlete that Julio Jones and Deion Walker are, but he's highly skilled, like a Michael Clayton-type, who you may recall did some positive things in his time at LSU. He has a former high school teammate at LSU in Richard Dickson, and he is reportedly a very strong lean to LSU, but is also looking at Florida and Bama. He has a lot of work to do in the classroom to get himself qualified though, which is the biggest concern with him.

Most likely destination: LSU, if he qualifies.

Chris Tolliver, wide receiver, Rayville, LA, 6'1" 180#, 4.4 second 40, high 4-star recruit who is also a heavy lean to LSU. Not the physical specimen that DeAndre Brown and Julio Jones are, he is nonetheless a great prospect due to his speed and playmaking ability. He is terrific with the ball in his hands, with open-field skills that lead to a lot of yards-after-catch. He reminds me a lot of Craig Davis in that respect. He has talked up Bama and Florida a bit, but inside word is that he is going to end up at LSU. He has a lot of work to do in the classroom, which unfortunately seems to be a trend with athletes from Rayville. In 2006, Richard Murphy had trouble getting through the NCAA clearinghouse, and in 2007, D'Montreal Wilson initially committed to LSU but was forced to go to junior college instead. Tolliver has to work at getting qualified, but if he does it, he should be at LSU a year from now.

Most likely destination: LSU, if qualified.

Antoine McClain, offensive tackle, 6'6" 317#, Anniston, AL, he is a high 4-star recruit from about 2 hours east of Tuscaloosa. Little is known about him, but word is that the coaching staff is high on him and would like to sew up his commitment ASAP. It appears he is, like most of these others, a longshot and most likely to stay in-state, probably at Auburn. While LSU recruits parts of Alabama very well, Anniston is situated between Birmingham and Atlanta, making it not a particularly ripe place for LSU to pick. We'll give it a shot though, because he has college-ready size and a lot of ability.

Most likely destination: Auburn.

Tomorrow, we look at defensive prospects.