4-Star Chidi Valentine-Okeke Gives LSU Major Recruiting Win over Alabama, Auburn

Days before national signing day, LSU was in need of some positive recruiting news. The Tigers not only received a Thursday morning present but also won an important recruiting battle over two SEC rivals.

Georgia 4-star offensive tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke verbally committed to LSU, according to Scout.com analyst Chad Simmons. Valentine-Okeke became LSU's 19th overall pledge and the program's first offensive lineman commit of the new year.

Perhaps more importantly to Les Miles and the LSU coaching staff, Valentine-Okeke is a big get in a recruiting battle that also included Alabama and Auburn. Entering the week, Auburn appeared to be the front-runner, per Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports. Valentine-Okeke was supposed to make his decision on TV on Monday, but plans were changed after he received visits from both Auburn and Alabama later that day.

A decision was then expected to come early next week, but Valentine-Okeke told Simmons on Thursday that he "had to go ahead and get it over with" and that the wait "was too much for me."

"I just love everything about LSU," Valentine-Okeke told Simmons. "Coach Miles was very, very happy when I gave him the news. I am happy, too, to have my decision."

Valentine-Okeke is just outside the 247Sports Composite Top 100 at 102, but of those 102 players, LSU now has seven either committed or on campus as an early enrollee. He is the team's top-rated offensive tackle.

Per 247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions, Auburn was considered the team to beat. LSU, however, had the last official visit. Valentine-Okeke visited Auburn and Alabama on Dec. 10 and Dec. 12, respectively, but he took in an LSU campus visit the weekend of Jan. 16.

Valentine was recruited primarily by LSU secondary coach Corey Raymond. Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes will get a player in Valentine-Okeke who is the nation's fifth-ranked offensive tackle. At 6'6" and 305 pounds, Valentine-Okeke is the fourth offensive lineman to commit to LSU. He joins 3-star tackles Adrian McGee of Louisiana and George Brown Jr. of Ohio, as well as 4-star offensive guard Maea Teuhema of Texas.

There's much to like about Valentine-Okeke. He's a tall, strong lineman who has great measurables to be a solid pass protector. What makes Valentine-Okeke even more intriguing is that he's still a project. It wasn't long ago that Valentine-Okeke—originally from Nigeria—had never played football. In roughly a year, he not only was able to establish himself as a player to watch for Georgia's Faith Baptist Christian Academy, but also earned U.S. Army All-American status and built his offer list to nearly 20 offers.

Not bad for someone who also reclassified to the 2015 class. Much of what he does on the field relies on raw talent. You can bet the LSU coaching staff are excited about molding him into a potential all-conference-caliber player.

Valentine-Okeke adds depth to an improving LSU offensive line. La'el Collins finished his senior year, but look for Valentine-Okeke to learn a lot from Jerald Hawkins, Vadal Alexander, Ethan Pocic and the other returning linemen.

Damon Sayles is National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' Composite ratings. Follow Damon on Twitter: @DamonSayles