LSU Football Recruiting: Updates on 2013 Commits and Targets

LSU is one of the premier programs in college football, and much of that has to do with recruiting.

There's not much to dislike about LSU if you're a 4- or 5-star recruit. The Tigers are a powerhouse in the SEC, they are a nationally relevant program, they usually boast a dominant defense, and they are coached by the one and only Les Miles.

There's also the fact that LSU boasts arguably one of the best game-day atmospheres in college football.

No wonder so many elite recruits want to go to LSU...

If you're a fan of LSU football or even just college football recruiting in general, consider this to be your "one stop shop" for LSU recruiting.

You'll find all the news, analysis and updates on commitments and targets that you'll ever need, right here.

Note: All 2012 stats via 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Latest News

Update: LSU 4-star quarterback commitment Hayden Rettig completed 3-of-11 passes for 19 yards in the 2013 U.S. Army All-American game. --Update 1/4/13

Update: 4 star ATH Kendell Beckwith commits to LSU during the Under Armour All-American Game. 1/4/13

Update: Maquedius Bain committed to LSU after Day 2 of the practice at the Under Armour All-America Game.  He was one of the biggest remaining targets on LSU's recruiting board.  Bain ranks as the No. 19 defensive tackle recruit in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and he has great size at 6'3'', 308 pounds.

Bain told ESPN Insider that LSU's coaching staff was a big reason he picked the Tigers:

"

“I had a fantastic trip and when I was there I saw everything that LSU had to offer academically and in football,” Bain added. “The coaches are great guys but they make you work hard so it’s a lot like the coaches at U-School.” 

"

With Bain in the bag, LSU fans interest will turn to defensive end Kendell Beckwith who will decide between Alabama and LSU on Friday at the Under Armour All-America Game. – End of Update 1/2/13

Quarterbacks:

Targets: None

Already Committed

Anthony Jennings: 4-star pro-style QB, 6'2", 200 lb.

Hayden Rettig: 4-star pro-style QB, 6'3", 190 lb.

2012 Stats: 3,424 YD, 40 TD, 1 RUTD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1pm ET

Analysis

LSU has to be feeling very good about the quarterback situation for the future. Both Jennings and Rettig have the potential to be more-than-capable college football quarterbacks, and for now they'll both serve as important depth players.

Rettig is ranked as the No. 11 pro-style quarterback recruit, and Jennings is the No. 15 pro-style quarterback, both according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Getting one top-notch quarterback is great, but landing two is a huge plus for LSU. These two have time to learn the system, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them take a redshirt.

Overall, though, the Tigers have to be very happy about landing the commitment of these two recruits.

Running Backs

Targets: None

Already Committed: None

Analysis

This is not really a position of need for LSU just yet in regards to recruiting, so the Tigers can afford to not waste much time going after running backs. That said, it's always nice to have depth, especially at a physically demanding position like running back, so the Tigers would be wise to keep their options open.

It's also worth noting that a few of LSU's recruits have experience running the ball, so keep that in mind as well.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Targets

Josh McNeil: 4-star TE, 6'6'', 250 pounds

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Alabama, Clemson, Florida

Already Committed

John Diarse: 4-star WR, 6'0", 205 lb. 4.70 40

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1pm ET

Rickey Jefferson: 4-star WR, 6'0", 180 lb. 4.41 40

Avery Johnson: 4-star WR, 6'2", 180 lb.

Quantavius Leslie: 4-star WR, 6'4", 190 lb. 4.50 40

DeSean Smith: 4-star TE, 6'4.25", 224 lb. 4.71 40

2012 Stats: 815 YD, 11 TD

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5 1pm ET

Logan Stokes: 3-star TE, 6'3", 240 lb.

Analysis

This is an extremely impressive group of wide receivers, especially for a program that's known for running the ball and playing great defense. Diarse has the potential to be a star for LSU if he ends up playing receiver, but he could end up on defense. Still, he's a big-time recruit for the Tigers.

The other recruit that has a ton of potential here is Quantavius Leslie. He has great height and good speed, which leads me to believe that he can be a legitimate deep threat for LSU.

DeSean Smith has great intangibles for a tight end, so he's another big name you'll want to know from this class.

All in all, this is a very solid group.

Offensive Line

Targets: None

Already Committed

Ethan Pocic: 4-star OT, 6'7", 280 lb. 5.20 40

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5pm ET

Josh Boutte: 4-star OG, 6'4", 305 lb.

Andy Dodd: 4-star OG, 6'4", 325 lb.

Fehoko Fanaika: 3-star OT, 6'6", 340 lb.

Karl Malone Jr.: 3-star C, 6'3", 285 lb.

Analysis

Les Miles has done a great job of filling some needs and replenishing the depth chart through this group of offensive lineman. Pocic is the big name here, ranked as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2013 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, so look for him to play a big role early on.

That said, Fanaika has incredible size and just as much potential, and both Dodd and Boutte are great guard pickups. Malone Jr. looks to be the center of the future.

Defensive Line

Targets

Robert Nkemdiche: 5-star SDE, 6'4'', 285 pounds, 4.65 40

All-Star Game: Under Armour, Jan. 4, 5 p.m. ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Ole Miss, Alabama

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Alabama

Already Committed

Maquedius Bain: 4-star DT, 6'3'', 308 lb.

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5pm ET

Greg Gilmore: 4-star DT, 6'4", 273 lb. 4.90 40

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5pm ET

Frank Herron: 4-star strong-side DE, 6'5", 235 lb. 4.70 40

Christian LaCouture: 4-star strong-side DE, 6'5", 265 lb.

Lewis Neal: 3-star weak-side DE, 6'0", 235 lb.

Tevin Lawson: 3-star DT, 6'4", 275 lb.

Michael Patterson: 3-star weak-side DE, 6'3", 240 lb.

2012 Stats: 69 TCK, 7 TFL, 9 SCK, 2 FF, 2 FR

Kendell Beckwith: 4-star WDE, 6'2.5'', 225 pounds, 4.83 40

Update: Kendell Beckwith commits to LSU during the Under Armour All-American Game. 1/4/13

2012 Stats: 91 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered

Analysis

Greg Gilmore is the marquee player in this group, and he has superstar potential. He has great size and fantastic speed for a defensive lineman, and he's ranked as the No. 8 overall defensive tackle recruit by the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Landing his commitment was a big win for LSU.

That said, LaCouture looks like he can be a very solid defensive end as well, and Herron has a great combination of size and speed. 

As far as targets are concerned, LSU is the favorite to land Bain (247Sports) and Beckwith (247Sports).

LSU could end up with the best defensive line recruiting class in the country when all is said and done.

Linebackers

Targets: None

Already Committed

Melvin Jones: 4-star ILB, 6'3", 245 lb.

2012 Stats: 78 TCK, 1 INT

Analysis

LSU has been a bit underwhelming in regards to recruiting linebackers, but Jones could end up making up for that. He has great size and is actually ranked as a duel-threat quarterback as well, which goes to show you athletic he is.

He's listed as the No. 12 inside linebacker recruit in the 2013 class by the 247Sports Composite rankings, so he's a big-time recruit for LSU. I'd like to see the Tigers add a bit more depth at the linebacker position, but for now, Jones appears to be it. Thankfully for LSU, he has star potential.

Defensive Backs

Targets

Priest Willis: 5-star CB, 6'2'', 200 lb.

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5pm ET

Biggest Competition for Commitment: Virginia, Florida State, Nebraska, Arizona State, Notre Dame, UCLA

Already Committed

Jeryl Brazil: 4-star ATH/CB, 5'10", 180 lb. 4.32 40

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4 5pm ET

Tre'Davious White: 4-star ATH/CB, 5'10.5", 170 lb.

All-Star Game: US Army - 2 Kickoff Returns, 52 YDS

Rashard Robinson: 4-star CB, 6'2.5", 165 lb.

Jeremy Cutrer: 4-star S, 6'3", 175 lb.

2012 Stats: 66 TCK, 4 INT

Analysis

Miles and his staff have done a great job recruiting defensive backs, and this group here could end up being elite. Brazil could play anywhere on the field with his speed, but I see him ending up being a great corner. The same can be said for Tre'Davius White. Robinson has great size for a cornerback and Cutrer could end up being a very productive safety.

If LSU can land Willis, its defensive back class would be amongst the best in the nation, if not the best. Credit the Tigers' ability to produce elite corners and send them to the NFL for their success recruiting secondary players.