LSU Recruiting 2012: 3 Holes Les Miles Still Needs to Fill

The LSU Tigers are considered one of the country's top teams every season. They are one of the best teams in college football's toughest conference and are favorites to not only win the SEC, but to compete for a BCS National Championship.

A huge reason for this is because they recruit extremely well. When you have talented players replacing talented players, chances are you're going to be good. With the Tigers, there isn't much time to experience a down season.

This isn't the case for most of the other schools, which is why LSU has a lot more success than most.

Although this season they once again have a great recruiting class, there are a few holes that they still need to fill. Here are a few.

Defensive End

LSU had one of the top defenses in the country last year and it started with a great pass rush. They finished the year with 38 sacks, which was tied for the 12th-most in the country and a lot of that has to do with a great defensive line.

After this season, though, they're losing a little bit of depth at the defensive end position, including Kendrick Adams, who finished the year with 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

They landed a top defensive end in Danielle Hunter, but that's only the second defensive end they've picked up in the last two years, along with Jermauria Rasco, who they landed last season. 

The Tigers always have a great defense and it all starts up front. With a player like Mario Edwards still available, Les Miles and company need to do whatever it takes to get him to leave Florida State and become a Tiger.

Cornerback

The Tigers need to find somebody who can step up and replace Morris Claiborne, who left early to enter the NFL draft.

LSU has quite a few commitments from cornerbacks in this year's class, but there are still more talented corners available. Players like Tracy Howard, Davonte Neal and Trae Elston are still out there and each have an offer from LSU.

While the Tigers will still have Tyrann Mathieu on the field and a commitment from one of the top corners in this year's class in Derrick Raymond, landing another premier cornerback wouldn't hurt this defense at all.

Safety

Safety is another position that will be hit hard as Brandon Taylor and Derrick Bryant are on their way out. LSU did pick up three safeties in last year's class, but none of them are exactly ready to step right in and earn quality playing time.

Jerquinick Sandolph is the safety that LSU landed this year, but he is still raw at the position. Although he has a lot of upside, it will take time before he's ready to make an immediate impact.

The Tigers last hope in this class will come from Nelson Agholor, who is the only safety left on the board that has an offer from the Tigers. He lacks size, but has great hands and covers a lot of ground in the secondary. He would be a steal for this program and would remove some of the sting on losing out on Landon Collins to Alabama.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]