LSU Football Recruiting: Top Targets, Positional Needs and Predictions

National Signing Day is quickly approaching and the LSU Tigers have some serious ground to make up if they want to crack the charts among the top recruiting classes in 2012.

The Tigers had elite QB prospect Gunner Kiel all lined up to come to Baton Rouge, but after Kiel decommitted and five-star recruit Landon Collins turned down LSU for a chance to sign with Alabama, the Tigers have been forced with the task of realigning their recruiting hierarchy.

As it stands right now, five-star cornerback Tracy Howard is LSU's top uncommitted prospect, but who else does Les Miles have his eyes on?

Let's break down LSU's top five targets, positional needs and predictions for the 2012 national recruiting class.

Bleacher Report style! 

5. Jeremy Liggins

Jeremy Liggins is an intriguing prospect who seems to be slowly moving up LSU's recruiting board and could sign with the Tigers on National Signing Day.

Once Gunner Kiel decommitted from the Tigers, Les Miles and his staff began to shift their focus towards Liggins, who is a standout quarterback from Oxford, MS. While he is listed by most national recruiting sites as an athlete, Liggins does have the talent to play under center at the collegiate level.

According to ESPNU's Top 150, Liggins is listed as the No. 4 player in the state of Mississippi and the No. 118 overall prospect in the 2012 national recruiting class.

With the Tigers losing out on Kiel, adding a quarterback in this class certainly does fill a need.

Prediction: LSU 

4. Nelson Agholor

Nelson Agholor very well might be the most talented receiver in the 2012 recruiting class behind Dorial Green-Beckham.

Ahgolor stands at 6'1", 180 pounds, and he has a great set of hands.

While he is being recruited by a number of big-time programs, LSU does still remain in the mix.

Right now, it looks like Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and USC are his front-runners, but with Rueben Randle recently declaring for the NFL Draft, don't be surprised to see LSU jump into that mix of final contenders.

The Tigers have made Agholor an offer and could certainly use another top-notch WR to add into this recruiting class.

Prediction: Florida State

3. Kwon Alexander

Kwon Alexander is one of the top linebacker prospects in the nation and currently has LSU among his top choices.

Alexander stands at 6'2", 215 pounds and is explosive in his ability to get to the ball and finish tackles. He has exceptional size and speed and should make an ideal outside linebacker at the college level.

As it stands right now, it looks like Alexander has narrowed down his top three choices to Alabama, Auburn and LSU.

The Tigers would love to sign Alexander, but they are already deep at the linebacker position in this class, which means that their top priority right now could be elsewhere.

Prediction: Alabama

2. Tracy Howard

LSU has been keeping an eye on Tracy Howard throughout his prep days and with National Signing Day just around the corner, Les Miles and co. are hoping that they can land the nation's top-rated cornerback in the 2012 class.

Where Howard will end up is anyone's guess. He has kept his recruiting options open during this process and is still expected to visit LSU in the upcoming week. If we had to narrow it down, it looks like his top six choices right now would be: LSU, Florida, Florida State, Miami (FL), USC and West Virginia.

Of course, Alabama remains an option for this 5'11", 175-pound prospect out of Miramar, FL, but when the Tide ripped away Landon Collins from LSU, Les Miles and his staff really began to put the full-court press on landing Howard.

This is going to be a decision that will likely be made on National Signing Day, but in the end, look for Howard to go with the Tigers.

Prediction: LSU 

1. Mario Edwards

You can always dream, right?

As it stands right now, Mario Edwards, the nation's No. 1 prospect in the class of 2012 according to ESPNU's Top 150, has verbally committed to Florida State.

However, it is possible that Edwards could back out on his commitment leading up to or on National Signing Day, and it looks like if he does do that, LSU would be his next choice.

Edwards has looked dominant during this recruitment process and his 6'4", 297-pound frame makes him an ideal DE prospect at the next level.

Right now, LSU has only one defensive end committed to its 2012 class, which makes Edwards that much more attractive to Les Miles.

If the Tigers can land this gem of a recruit, then they will instantly boost themselves into a top 10 national class. But with Edwards already giving a solid verbal commitment to the Seminoles, it is going to be very tough to get him to decommitt and head elsewhere.

Prediction: Florida State