LSU Football Recruiting: Meet the Tigers' 2014 Recruiting Class
Les Miles and the LSU coaching staff are ecstatic about the 2014 recruiting class after another successful national signing day.
LSU had 19 players committed, two of which were already enrolled, before the day began. The Tigers finished national signing day with 23 new Bayou Bengals.
Malachi Dupre stole the headlines, as the 5-star receiver prospect shunned UCLA, Florida State and Alabama in favor of LSU. The Tigers also raked in 4-star defensive tackle Travonte Valentine.
LSU needed to bring in a nice crop of talent to keep pace with the rest of the conference. The SEC yet again dominated recruiting rankings.
Meet the latest recruiting class, players LSU fans hope will get the Tigers back in the national championship game in the near future.
All recruiting rankings via 247Sports.
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Leonard Fournette
1 of 24Position: 5-star RB
School: St. Augustine High School; New Orleans, La.
Senior Stats: 1,802 yards rushing, 18 touchdowns; 42 receptions, 745 receiving yards, six touchdowns
Other Finalists: Texas, Alabama
Commit Date: Jan. 2 at Under Armour All-American Game
Analysis: Leonard Fournette is one of the most coveted running back prospects ever, and for good reason. Fournette is a bull running between the tackles but can also shake runners on the outside. He can also catch the football out of the backfield with ease.
Fournette has the chance to be the workhorse running back after the departure of Jeremy Hill. There were rumors Hill would stay courtesy of Glenn Guilbeau of USA Today, but he ending up making the right decision. Fournette will share carries with returnees Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard in 2014.
Malachi Dupre
2 of 24Position: 5-star WR
School: John Curtis High School; New Orleans, La.
Stats: 34 receptions, 607 yards and six touchdowns
Other Finalists: Florida State, UCLA, Alabama
Commit Date: Feb. 5, national signing day
Analysis: Malachi Dupre gave LSU fans a chance to shout when he announced on ESPNU his decision to play football in Baton Rouge. Dupre was the Tigers’ most important signee that was uncommitted before today. He is a playmaking wide receiver that can make the catches necessary to win games in the SEC.
Dupre has amazing ball skills and can catch the ball at its highest point in heavy traffic. He, along with fellow freshman receiver Trey Quinn, could be the next great receiving duo after the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
Clifton Garrett
3 of 24Position: 5-star LB
School: Plainfield South High School; Plainfield South, Ill.
Senior Stats: 139 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries
Other Finalists: Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama
Commit Date: Dec. 17
Analysis: LSU needs help at linebacker after the departure of leading tackler Lamin Barrow. Garrett is an elite talent that could crack the starting lineup as a freshman. His sideline-to-sideline tackling ability could be massive for the Tigers.
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Jamal Adams
4 of 24Position: 5-star Safety
School: Hebron High School; Carrollton, Tx.
Senior Stats: 79 tackles, one interception; 614 total offensive yards, 14 touchdowns; two kick return touchdowns
Other Finalists: Texas, Florida
Commit Date: Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-American Game
Analysis: Jamal Adams could be the best all-around athlete in the 2014 class. He is a hard-hitting safety with sub-4.5 40-yard-dash speed.
LSU had issues in the secondary in 2013, so do not count Adams out for getting playing time quickly. His athleticism, along with kick-returning abilities, should at least get him some reps on special teams.
Travonte Valentine
5 of 24Position: 4-star DT
School: Champagnat Catholic - Hialeah High School; Palm Bay, Fla.
Stats: 85 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks
Other Finalists: Miami
Commit Date: Feb. 5, national signing day
Analysis: Valentine's day came early for Les Miles. Travonte Valentine is a gigantic defensive tackle the coaching staff has pursued for the past couple of months.
Valentine was originally committed to Miami, but changed his status after the U.S. Army All-American Game. Odds are in his favor to see some snaps next season.
Edward Paris (Early Enrollee)
6 of 24Position: 4-star Safety
School: Mansfield Timberview; Arlington, Tx.
Other Finalists: Baylor
Commit Date: June 19th
Analysis: Edward Paris will be competing with fellow-freshman Jamal Adams for playing time in the secondary. Paris will have a head start, as he is one of two early enrollees in the 2014 recruiting class.
Paris should crack the lineup on special teams. Yet if he has a big spring, he might get some looks in the secondary with the first and second unit.
Brandon Harris (Early Enrollee)
7 of 24Position: 4-star QB
School: Parkway High School; Bossier City, La.
Senior Stats: 209-of-330 for 3,518 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions; 144 attempts, 1,153 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns
Other Finalists: Alabama, Arizona State
Commit Date: Nov. 7 (signed financial-aid agreement)
Analysis: Brandon Harris will have a chance to be the starting quarterback next season. Harris will battle early favorite Anthony Jennings, Stephen Rivers and others. The freshman will be aided by competing in spring football as an early enrollee.
Harris is a dual-threat nightmare for defenses. Expect him to give Jennings a run for his money.
Trey Quinn
8 of 24
Position: 4-star WR
School: Barbe High School; Lake Charles, La.
Senior Stats: 108 receptions, 1,967 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns
Other Finalists: Auburn, Arizona State
Commit Date: Aug. 18
Analysis: Trey Quinn is a national record-setter in high school football. Quinn has elite speed and is great at working his way back to the quarterback on broken-down plays, which fits perfectly with LSU's mobile quarterbacks. He will have a chance to crack the lineup as freshman as Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry went pro.
Garrett Brumfield
9 of 24
Position: 4-star OG
School: University High School; Baton Rouge, La.
Other Finalists: Alabama, Arkansas
Commit Date: April 20
Analysis: Garrett Brumfield will be in the mix for playing time as starting right guard Trai Turner declared for the NFL draft.
Jacory Washington
10 of 24
Position: 4-star TE
School: Westlake High School; Westlake, La.
Senior Stats: 36 receptions, 518 yards and three touchdowns
Other Finalists: Alabama, Arkansas
Commit Date: Jan. 12
Analysis: LSU has had inconsistency at tight end, lacking a consistent receiving threat over the middle. Jacory Washington will get the chance to be the man.
Darrel Williams
11 of 24Position: 4-star RB
School: John Ehret High School; Marrero, La.
Senior Stats: 213 carries for 2,201 yards and 32 touchdowns; six receptions for 309 yards and three touchdowns
Other Finalists: Tennessee
Commit Date: Dec. 10
Analysis: While all the focus is on Leonard Fournette, Darrel Williams quietly finished with better statistics than the 5-star prodigy. Williams is a bruiser, not a burner. He runs with low pad level to make up for his lack of speed.
Les Miles has never been afraid to share the load of carries with multiple running backs. Williams could get some touches next season because of that.
Will Clapp
12 of 24
Position: 4-star OG
School: Brother Martin High School; New Orleans, La.
Other Finalists: Alabama, Ole Miss
Commit Date: Jan. 12
Analysis: Will Clapp will battle fellow freshman Garrett Brumfield and other returnees for the starting right guard position left by Trai Turner. Do not be surprised if Clapp redshirts.
Davon Godchaux
13 of 24
Position: 4-star DE
School: Plaquemine High School; Plaquemine, La.
Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Auburn, Ole Miss, UCLA
Commit Date: Sept. 30
Analysis: Davon Godchaux could be the next solid defensive end at LSU. Godchaux does not have elite athleticism, but he can certainly be an anchor on the edge. He could redshirt next season because of LSU's depth at defensive end, but there is no telling if he could move up the depth charts in fall practice.
Deondre Clark
14 of 24
Position: 4-star DE
School: Douglass High School; Oklahoma City, Okla.
Senior Stats: 47 tackles and 18 sacks; 1,168 yards on 131 carries and 20 touchdowns
Other Finalists: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State
Commit Date: June 24
Analysis: Deondre Clark is a solid prospect that will need to hit the weight room. Clark might redshirt next season.
Update: Clark's has signed his letter of intent with LSU, but will not be officially announced as a Tiger until Thursday according to Jim Kleinpeter of The Times-Picayune.
Tony Upchurch
15 of 24Position: 4-star WR
School: Dawson High School; Pearland, Tx.
Senior Stats: 62 receptions for 897 yards and six touchdowns; 27 rushes for 347 yards and six touchdowns
Other Finalists: Baylor
Commit Date: March 15
Analysis: LSU lost its two best receivers in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. Tony Upchurch will get his chance to compete in fall practice for a chance to get some balls thrown his way.
Upchurch is a physical receiver who loves contact and running through tacklers. He is a college version of Keyshawn Johnson.
Devin Voorhies
16 of 24
Position: 4-star safety
School: Wilkinson County High School; Woodville, Miss.
Stats: 67 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions; 2,374 passing yards and 19 touchdowns; 2,027 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns
Other Finalists: Ole Miss, Mississippi State
Commit Date: July 8 2012
Analysis: Devin Voorhies, one of the forgotten commodities in this year's class, has been one of LSU's most loyal commitments. He will battle with multiple safeties for playing time.
Voorhies was an amazing high school quarterback who will bring great balls skills wherever he steps on the field. He could redshirt or play special teams next season.
John Battle
17 of 24
Position: 3-star Safety
School: Hallandale High School; Hallandale, Fla.
Senior Stats: 95 tackles, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns)
Other Finalists: N.C. State, Arkansas
Commit Date: June 28
Analysis: John Battle will have an uphill climb to see the playing field next season. The Tigers will have highly touted safety prospects Jamal Adams and Ed Paris ahead of him, both of which will contribute next season.
But anything can happen with Battle. He is rather lanky for a safety, but has amazing range.
D.J. Chark
18 of 24Position: 3-star WR
School: Alexandria High School; Alexandria, Fla.
Senior Stats: 48 receptions, 554 yards and three touchdowns
Other Finalists: Oklahoma State, Texas A&M
Commit Date: June 10
Analysis: D.J. Chark is the lowest rated receiver in the LSU class, but that does not mean he cannot play. Chark has great speed and was extremely effective out of the slot as a senior. He is also a talented kick and punt returner.
Chark will probably redshirt this season, but he does have a bright future.
Russell Gage
19 of 24
Position: 3-star ATH
School: Redemptorist High School; Baton Rouge, La.
Other Finalists: Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, Tulane
Commit Date: Jan. 19
Analysis: Russell Gage was the latest LSU commitment before national signing day. Gage played a wide variety of positions in high school, including quarterback. He is projected to be a defensive back at LSU.
Trey Lealaimatafao
20 of 24
Position: 3-star DT
School: Warren High School; San Antonio, Texas
Stats: 61 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three forced fumbles
Other Finalists: Texas, Oregon
Commit Date: Feb. 5, national signing day
Analysis: Trey Lealaimatafao along with Travonte Valentine, add some much-needed future depth at defensive tackle for LSU. Lealaimatafao will probably redshirt next season, but he certainly has a bright future in Baton Rouge.
Donnie Alexander
21 of 24Position: 3-star LB
School: Edna Karr High School; New Orleans, La.
Senior Stats: 97 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions
Other Finalists: Illinois, Louisiana Tech
Commit Date: Feb. 23
Analysis: Donnie Alexander could be the darkhorse star in the class. Alexander is comfortable playing in open space and is a sure tackler, something defensive coordinator John Chavis looks for in an outside linebacker.
Alexander could immediately contribute on special teams next season. Over the course of his career, he will be a productive player.
Cameron Gamble
22 of 24
Position: 3-star kicker
School: Flower Mound High School; Flower Mound, Tx.
Stats: N/A
Commit Date: July 7
Analysis: Cameron Gamble is a kicker who will redshirt next season. LSU returns Colby Delahoussaye and kickoff specialist James Hairston next season, both of which were successful in 2013.
Sione Teuhema
23 of 24
Position: 3-star DE
School: Keller High School; Keller, Texas
Stats: N/A
Commit Date: Feb. 5, national signing day
Analysis: LSU stole Sione Teuhema from the Texas Longhorns. Teuhema is a speed-rushing defensive end prospect the Tigers desperately needed. His brother, a 5-star 2015 offensive lineman Maea Teuhema, committed to the Tigers to boost next year's class.
Teuhema will need to bulk up some before getting some reps in SEC play. The Tigers are deep at defensive end, so he could easily redshirt. But if he can show he can get to the quarterback in fall practice, something the LSU defensive ends struggled to do last season, he will get snaps on pass-rushing downs.
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