LSU Football Recruiting: Ranking the Tigers' Top Commitments on Defense

National signing day is less than two weeks away now, and LSU is doing all they can to assure themselves another Top-10 class in 2012.

While LSU seems to be mostly set on offensive side of the ball, the Tigers still have their eyes on some big-time prospects on defense.

Les Miles and his staff already have several solid commitments on the defensive side of the ball, but a few more would really make this class stand out among the nations best.

Let's break down the Tigers' top defensive verbal commitments (via Rivals.com) as of now—Bleacher Report style! 

Defensive End

As it stands right now, Morton Ranch High School product Danielle Hunter is the top defensive end in this LSU recruiting class, and he is a good one at that.

Hunter is a 4-star recruit according to rivals.com, who hails from the Lone Star State.

However, let it be known that the Tigers are going after the top player in the state of Texas, 5-star defensive tackle Mario Edwards.

If LSU is able to land the both of them, this will be one explosive pass rush in Baton Rouge for the next four years. 

Defensive Tackle

Right now, the Tigers do not have a single defensive tackle who has verbally committed to their 2012 recruiting class.

That right there gives us even more belief that 5-star recruit Mario Edwards has a real legitimate chance of signing with LSU.

Edwards' father came out earlier this week and said that his son was 100 percent set on attending Florida State. However, nothing is set until National Signing Day, or sometimes even after that.

If LSU lands Edwards, theirs would instantly be a top-10 class in America.

Linebacker

LSU might not have a single 5-star commitment at this point, but they certainly have a guy who is right on the verge of breaking the 5-star barrier in outside linebacker Torshiro Davis.

Davis is the No. 3 prospect in the state of Louisiana and a Top-125 player nationally according to Rivals.com.

He has great size, standing at 6'3", 222 pounds, and solid speed for his position.

If Mario Edwards and Tracy Howard do not commit to the Tigers, Davis very well could be the gem of this recruiting class.

Other 4-star linebackers in this class include Lamar Lewis and Lorenzo Phillips. 

Cornerback

As if the Tigers' defensive backfield wasn't dominant enough this season, they should have plenty more talent rolling through Baton Rouge in 2012.

If 5-star defensive back recruit Tracy Howard commits to LSU, that would also boost this class into Top-10 in national consideration.

As it stands right now, the top defensive back in this class is Dwayne Thomas from New Orleans, LA.

Other cornerbacks who have verbally committed to LSU are Jalen Mills and Derrick Raymond. 

Safety

LSU has one safety currently committed to its 2012 class.

Jerquinick Sandolph is a 3-star recruit according to rivals.com. He played his high school football at Boutte, LA and chose the Tigers over another intriguing offer from Pitt.

This is one position that LSU has not particularly recruited well this year. With both Brandon Taylor and Derrick Bryant on their way out at LSU, it would be nice to see the Tigers pick up another stud to compliment Eric Reid, who is going to be one of the top safeties in the nation in 2012.

If we have learned anything about Les Miles during his days as the head coach at LSU, it's that he always has a trick up his sleeve, so stay tuned.