LSU Football Recruiting: Les Miles' Biggest National Signing Day Battles

Les Miles and his LSU Tigers must close strong on national signing day. 

The Tigers need to replenish talent at nearly every position. Winning close recruiting battles for elite prospects helps that cause. 

Prospects have been coming and going from each campus on official visits. Many have raved about their time in Baton Rouge, but they have done so for other schools as well. 

Miles and his coaching staff have numerous players targeted, according to 247Sports. Here are a few to keep an eye on before national signing day Feb. 5.

Recruit star rankings via 247Sports.  

4-Star DL Breeland Speaks

247Sports

Breeland Speaks is currently an Ole Miss commit, but he says his final decision won't be made until national signing day. He told James Smith of The Times-Picayune that LSU certainly has a shot for his services. 

Speaks is the definition of a hybrid player. He has the talent to play anywhere on the defensive line and would immediately boost the playmaking ability of the LSU defense if he made the surprise flip to the Tigers. 

4-Star DL Travonte Valentine

247Sports

Les Miles loves Travonte Valentine. 

Valentine is the defensive tackle LSU wants desperately. He is a 6'3" mammoth who eats up blockers and would instantly compete for playing time. 

Hunter Paniagua of Tiger Sports Digest (subscription required) reports Valentine will have an in-home visit Thursday with Miles, but he will also take an official visit to Miami over the weekend.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball Projection heavily favors LSU to snag Valentine on national signing day.

3-Star OT Derrick Kelly Jr.

247Sports

LSU does not have an offensive tackle committed yet in the 2014 class. New offensive line coach Jeff Grimes hopes that changes with Derrick Kelly Jr. 

Kelly Jr. recently had an in-home visit with Grimes, according to James Smith of The Times-Picayune.

Florida State is LSU's major competitor, but the Seminoles have limited room remaining. The Tigers should have a good shot to land him.

5-Star WR Malachi Dupre

Malachi Dupre is a game-breaking receiver in the mold of former LSU star Rueben Randle. 

Dupre is the surest bet for the Tigers on national signing day with a strong 247Sports Crystal Ball Projection in favor of LSU.

With leading receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. declaring for the NFL draft, Miles desperately needs Dupre's services next season.

Dupre would play right away for LSU. He would join commit Trey Quinn to form a dangerous receiving duo for the future. 

Florida State does have a shot for Dupre's services. A chance to play with Jameis Winston would sound phenomenal in the mind of a prospect, especially one like Dupre, who played in a run-oriented offense in high school.

4-Star LB Kenny Young

247Sports

Young was dominant at the U.S. Army All-American Game.

Kenny Young is a 4-star linebacker who will have a 5-star college career. 

Young won three straight state championships alongside Malachi Dupre in high school. He is a defensive playmaker who will eventually rake in over 80 tackles in a season.

Taylor Hamm of 247Sports reports Young will make his official visit to UCLA next weekend after previously visiting Arkansas, Oklahoma and LSU. The New Orleans prospect raved of his official visit with the Tigers on Twitter.  

There is no telling where Young will land. Fans will have to wait for national signing day when he makes his announcement on ESPN.