Trey Lealaimatafao Commits to LSU: Tigers Beat Oregon for Mammoth DT

Defensive tackle was undoubtedly the LSU Tigers' greatest need going into signing day, and with the commitment of Trey Lealaimatafao, the Tigers secured their reputation on the defensive line.

Nola.com's Jim Kleinpeter confirmed his commitment on Twitter.

Joining another huge commit in Travonte Valentine, the Tigers defensive line, which will be without starters Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson, now has plenty of options in the interior. While Malachi Dupre was the Tigers' top target on national signing day, Lealaimatafao and Valentine occupied the biggest need, which could decide LSU's fate next season.

Without any potential breakout players at defensive tackle returning to LSU, the Tigers needed fresh meat to compete in the fall, and they got just that with Lealaimatafao.

The San Antonio, Texas, native who became a late push for the Tigers was considered a favorite for Oregon until the Tigers aggressively pursued the defensive tackle prospect in January.

With the commitment, the Tigers get a 6'0", 301-pound wall that recorded 61 tackles and forced three fumbles in his senior season of high school.

The Tigers are getting a defensive tackle who can disrupt with penetration, but he's better suited for halting opponents' rushing games. His explosiveness is coveted, and while Johnson's initial burst on the defensive line will be missed, Lealaimatafao can offer that same type of intensity. At least that's what Les Miles hopes.

It's no doubt that Miles and the Tigers are coming hard for that No. 2 spot. With the huge grabs on signing day, and Lealaimatafao epitomizes every sense of the word "huge," it's a great day to be a Tiger.