Can TCU or FSU Beat out LSU for 4-Star CB Trayvon Mullen?

LSU is no stranger to pulling top corner prospects who hail from outside of Louisiana, and they will try to do it again by beating out the likes of TCU and Florida State for 2016 4-star corner Trayvon Mullen.

The 6’2”, 175-pounder from Florida recently named the Tigers his leader, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

It’s not surprising to see Les Miles and his staff surging with a top corner recruit given the Tigers' recent history with putting studs at that position into the NFL.

However, can either the Horned Frogs or the Seminoles wrestle away control of Mullen’s recruitment away from the Tigers?

Given that it’s still early in the 2016 cycle, both schools have time to make their cases and get Mullen to change his mind. 

The Horned Frogs have emerged onto the scene following their strong 2014 season.

In particular, senior corner Kevin White—who racked up 51 tackles with 11 pass breakups and two interceptions, according to CFBstats.com—emerged as one of the nation’s best at his position.

"TCU is a great school with a great atmosphere," Mullen told Bartow. "I like the way they play and run things.”

He also noted that TCU is a school that he’d like to use one of his official visits on in the fall.

Assuming the Horned Frogs, who have already been tabbed as a 2015 preseason No. 1 candidate by ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach, have another strong year this fall, the buzz surrounding their program will continue to grow with top recruits such as Mullen.

Much like LSU, Florida State is a school with a lengthy history of producing elite defensive backs.

The ‘Noles will likely have both of their starting corners from last year’s squad, P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby, end up being selected in this year’s NFL draft.

Additionally, the ‘Noles have the advantage of being the lone in-state school in his lead group of schools.

“I'm going up (to FSU) for Spring Break,” Mullen told Bartow. “My brother goes to (TCC school) up there. It's the Noles. They produce just like other schools do. It's right here in Florida. It's a great school to be at."

As Josh Newberg of Noles247 notes, corner will be a need for the ‘Noles in the 2016 class, and Mullen fits the bill in what Jimbo Fisher is looking for at that position.

If FSU turns up the heat on one of the top prospects from the Sunshine State, can the lockdown defender turn them down in the end?

There’s a lot of time left between now and national signing day, so that remains to be seen. Additionally, Mullen maintains that he's still open in his recruitment. 

However, it will be tough to unseat LSU for Mullen, mainly because of the strength of his relationship with Tigers defensive backs coach Corey Raymond.

“I like Coach Raymond a lot,” Mullen said. “I talk to him every day. There isn't a day I don't talk to him. He tells me I'm his guy, his main guy."

With LSU seeming to make Mullen a priority, it is positioning itself well to land another dynamic talent out of the South Florida area.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani