Re-Evaluating LSU's Recruiting Class After the 2014 Opening

The Opening proved LSU has much to look forward to in the near future. 

Only the best high school prospects are invited to The Opening, the most coveted preseason camp in Beaverton, Oregon. Luckily enough for the Tigers, they are in the running for numerous players who competed. 

The biggest news from the The Opening was arguably the re-commitment of 4-star cornerback Xavier Lewis. Lewis gave his original vow to the Tigers last August but de-committed in February, per The Advocate. 

Lewis' decision now gives LSU 13 commitments in the 2015 class, four of whom competed in The Opening. The Tigers now rank No. 10 on 247Sports' Recruiting Team Ranking, which is good for sixth in the SEC.  

There were plenty of other LSU targets that competed as well, some of whom Les Miles would love to see commit to the Tigers.

Top Targets

LSU, like many other elite programs, is hoping to bring in elite 5-star recruits. The nation's No. 1 defensive end Josh Sweat and offensive tackle Martez Ivey both turned heads. No defensive end came close to Sweat's amazing SPARQ score, while Ivey was voted the offensive-line MVP.

LSU will probably not land Sweat or Ivey, but the two are on Miles' radar. Other 5-star hopefuls who shined include Malik Jefferson, Iman Marshall and Torrance Gibson. 

The most likely 5-star commitment for LSU will be Tyron Johnson. There were few receivers, if any, better than Johnson in The Opening's seven-on-seven tournament. He, alongside quarterback and USC commit Ricky Town, carried the Land Sharks team to the finals.

One of the most fascinating prospects was Johnson's fellow New Orleans playmaker Deonte Jackson. The 5'11'' Jackson played impressively on both sides of the ball, earning a spot on 247Sports' Barton Simmons' "Opening Dream Team." Simmons said Jackson was a candidate for the overall MVP.

LSU's Top Commitments

The future "Defensive Back University" looks pretty bright with the performances of Lewis and Kevin Toliver II. They both picked off multiple interceptions in the seven-on-seven tournament and looked fluid in all drills. 

LSU offensive tackle Maea Teuhema was measured at 6'5'', 340 pounds per ESPN's Gerry Hamilton. But Teuhema did not compete in the one-on-one drills, which was a big opportunity for him to show off his skills against other elite prospects.

Nick Brossette was LSU's lone offensive skill-position commit to compete at The Opening. Brossette showed off his catching ability coming out of the backfield but will be remembered for his slick move against Tennessee commit Cecil Cherry. 

Conclusion

The overall talent in the state of Louisiana is down after 2014's historic crop, but that doesn't mean there aren't difference-makers throughout The Boot.

Lewis proved this weekend that he has phenomenal playmaking ability. He plays his high school football at East St. John, the same school that produced Ryan Perrilloux, but his name gets lost in the elite cornerback class of 2015. 

If uncommitted prospects Johnson, Jackson and Destrehan, Louisiana's Kirk Merritt join the Tigers, expect LSU to rise dramatically in the team rankings. Merritt was the surprise winner of the SPARQ title and can play both running back and receiver.  

*Rankings and additional recruiting information provided by247Sports.com. Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.