LSU Football Recruiting: Looking Ahead to 2016 Class

LSU lives by the old college football adage that "recruiting never stops."

The Tigers hosted their fifth annual "Boys from the Boot" junior camp on Saturday, per Shea Dixon of Geaux247. James Smith of The Times-Picayune has the full list of attendees.

Head coach Les Miles hopes Boys from the Boot leads off a great recruiting cycle for the Tigers. Miles and his staff were pleased with their 2015 class, but there is still plenty of work to be done by the next national signing day in 2016.

The Tigers' five commitments in 2016 so far rank ninth nationally in the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. Though it is still early in the process, LSU should feel like it's gotten off to a great start.

This will be the first full year of recruiting for new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive line coach Ed Orgeron. Steele and Orgeron have both won awards for their recruiting prowess, so expect more elite players to be heading to Baton Rouge.

Here is a preview of LSU's 2016 recruiting trail.

Feleipe Franks

LSU fans will rejoice when 4-star quarterback Feleipe Franks steps on campus.

The Tigers received mediocre quarterback play from Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris last season. If they do not show improvement in 2015, Franks could possibly win the job as a true freshman.

Franks is a 6'5'', 220-pound signal-caller with amazing arm strength who can also make plays with his legs. His vast skill set makes him the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country.

And The Valley Shook's Paul Crewe raved of Franks' natural ability:

"

Franks doesn't have to torque his body to get the ball long distances, as it flies off really easily and goes a long way. I don't see that crazy robo-arm arm strength that you see in Brandon Harris, but it's just easy for him...Mechanics wise, I'm a big fan of his footwork. He does an excellent job of getting his feet set on his throws, even when he scrambles, he nearly always resets his feet to ensure he makes the most accurate and powerful pass. It's a great sign for a young QB and something I think Brandon Harris lacked as a prospect. Obviously it can and will be taught, but to show those early signs will only help him. You'll also see him doing little things like pump fakes and using his eyes to look off defenders. It all displays an advanced level of training and understanding of the game.

"

Franks was LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's "top target" at quarterback for the 2016 class, per James Smith of The Times-Picayune, but Cameron might not be done reeling in quarterbacks.

Another Quarterback?

Cameron is also recruiting 5-star quarterback Shea Patterson. Patterson plays his high school ball in Shreveport, Louisiana, at Calvary Baptist Academy, where he threw for 28 touchdowns and only three interceptions last season.

Patterson is the No. 3 pro-style quarterback of the 2016 class, but Bleacher Report Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue says Patterson could be the best of them all:

"

I think @SheaPatterson_1 makes a strong case for consideration as top 2016 QB. Elite arm strength. 72 TDs & 7 INTs on 422 passes since 2013.

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) February 6, 2015"

Patterson's older brother Sean worked on LSU's staff in 2014, but Geaux247's Dixon reports Sean has bolted Baton Rouge to take a similar position at Ole Miss. Patterson's father refuted the report via Matt Vines of The Shreveport Times, saying Sean has yet to make a decision on his coaching future.

Shea made it clear in an interview with The Times-Picayune he is "most comfortable" wherever his brother is coaching.

The 247Sports Crystal Ball Projection has Ole Miss in the early lead for Patterson's services, but the Tigers are certainly in the running.

LSU's Current Commits

Franks is not LSU's only talented offensive commitment. The other four prospects committed to the Tigers are all offensive players. 

LSU is on track for another spectacular receiver class. The Tigers brought in four in 2014, four in 2015 and already have two committed for 2016. 

Stephen Sullivan and Dee Anderson are both top-20 receivers in a loaded year at the position. The duo's primary recruiter was LSU receivers coach Adam Henry. 

Sullivan is a large 6'6'', 222-pound target out of Donaldsonville, Louisiana. He will be LSU's tallest target on the roster if he can play next season.

Anderson also has great length at 6'4''. He caught 44 passes for 733 yards and three touchdowns as a junior at West Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas.

Another pass-catcher committed to the Tigers is 4-star tight end prospect Jamal Pettigrew. If Pettigrew signs, it would be the third straight year LSU has reeled in a prospect from New Orleans' St. Augustine High School. 

LSU offensive line coach Jeff Grimes received five new prospects in the 2015 class. His 2016 coup is off to a good start with massive 6'5'', 340-pound guard Donavaughn Campbell, who is the No. 13 ranked guard in 2016.

Update: LSU receivers coach Adam Henry has left the program to coach the same position for the San Francisco 49ers, per The Daily Reveille.  

Addressing Needs at Linebacker

LSU needs help on defense in the worst way. Miles must hope Steele and Orgeron work their magic on the recruiting trail to help turn things around.  

LSU received no linebacker signees in the 2015 class. While the Tigers have some young talent at the position, Miles stressed the importance of recruiting for the position in this cycle, per Tiger Rag's James Moran:

"

Les: "Next year's class will have to be a very, very heavy linebacker class." #LSU

— James Moran (@SmartestMoran) February 4, 2015"

The Tigers have their eyes set on Keion Joyner, who is the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect in the country. Joyner has amazing range at 6'3'' and is a menace to block coming off the edge.

LSU is the heavy favorite to land Joyner, according to the 247Sports Crystal Ball Projections. The last 19 experts have predicted that the Havelock, North Carolina, product is heading to Baton Rouge. 

Joyner would be a massive addition to the Tigers, but Miles knows he can't stop there. Expect the Tigers to make a strong push for 4-star outside linebacker Michael Divinity as well.  

Divinity is a 6'2'' monster out of Marrero, Louisiana. Divinity, like Joyner, is an edge player who is ruthless against the run. 

Twin coups of Joyner and Divinity would be fantastic for the future at linebacker. 

Addressing Needs at Defensive Tackle

LSU's recruitment of linebackers for the 2015 class was a massive disappointment. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the chase for defensive linemen did not fare much better.

The Tigers only brought in two defensive linemen, both of whom were ends. That must change for this next cycle. Miles will rely heavily on Orgeron, a legendary recruiter, to turn things around.

A strong argument can be made that 5-star defensive tackle Edwin Alexander is the most important uncommitted Louisiana prospect the Tigers must have. Alexander is a disruptive force in the middle of defenses who blows up plays in the backfield.

Alexander took to Instagram to show that he and Orgeron are already building a strong relationship:

"Coach O showed mad love today!"

Three other names to keep an eye on at defensive tackle are 4-star Louisiana prospects Rashard Lawrence, Briston Guidry and Mastephon Taylor.

The talent at defensive tackle is plentiful in the 2016 class, with most of the big-name prospects hailing from Louisiana. It would be a massive disappointment if the Tigers can't reel in at least two of these run-stoppers.

Stats, rankings and additional information provided by CFBStats.com, ESPN.com and LSUsports.net. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow me on Twitter at @CarterthePower.