LSU Is Hottest Team on the 2016 Recruiting Trail After Latest Commitments

If you're looking for trends early in college football recruiting, the arrow is officially pointing up for LSU. 

The Tigers secured a second 4-star commitment in 24 hours Thursday morning, landing coveted in-state defensive back Cameron Lewis. He announced the decision during a ceremony at Wossman High School, celebrating his birthday in style:

Lewis, a 6'1", 195-pound prospect, is rated 13th nationally among safeties in 247Sports' composite rankings. He is considered the top player at his position in Louisiana.

Several suitors emerged late in Lewis' recruitment.

Arizona State, Georgia, Notre Dame, TCU, Texas A&M and Michigan each extended offers as recently as February. Despite mounting interest from beyond state borders, he was considered a heavy LSU lean as a commitment neared. 

“LSU is a great fit for me and I have a great relationship with the coaches,” Lewis told Shea Dixon of 247Sports. "They really showed so much love and made me know how much they will help me on and off the field.”

Credit: 247Sports

Head coach Les Miles' latest addition is another sign that LSU indeed warrants its "DBU" reputation. 

Despite significant changes to the defensive coaching staff this offseason, culminating in the hiring of Kevin Steele and Ed Orgeron, the Tigers have remained steady in the eyes of top targets.

Lewis joins 5-star Florida product Saivion Smith as crucial secondary pickups in the past 17 days. Smith, the top-ranked cornerback in America, pledged to LSU on Feb. 24, giving the Tigers an elite Sunshine State defensive back for the second straight cycle (Kevin Toliver II took center stage in the 2015 class).

Lewis and Smith form one of the country's most impressive defensive duos on the 2016 recruiting trail. They're hardly alone among recent high-impact prospects who've hopped aboard the LSU bandwagon.

The Tigers discovered, offered and secured New Orleans safety Clifford Chattman last month. Though he was largely off the national radar prior to his commitment, the 6'4", 175-pound playmaker possesses freakish athleticism and could fill a variety of roles in the LSU scheme.

Since accepting a scholarship from LSU, Chattman has quickly scooped up offers from Florida State, Arizona, Georgia and Mississippi State, among others. His stock should continue to soar.

That's three defensive commitments with All-SEC potential in four weeks. 

Credit: 247Sports

The Tigers have also gained traction with several elite uncommitted recruits, headlined by 5-star linebacker Ben Davis. The Alabama legacy confirmed with Bleacher Report in late February that LSU is among his top contenders.

"I have a really good relationship with the LSU coaches," he said. "(Steele) and I know each other really well from when he was coaching linebackers at Alabama, so him going to LSU makes it even better there. I can't wait to get to a game and see what they have to offer."

Miles has capitalized on recent momentum, seeing his team vault to fourth in 247Sports' composite class rankings. Only Ole Miss—currently holding two more commitments than the Tigers—is ahead in the SEC standings.

The recruiting success has also rubbed off on 2017 efforts. LSU landed 4-star sophomore defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin on Wednesday morning, giving the Tigers' next class another foundational figure.

Shelvin, rated fourth nationally among 2017 defensive tackles, joins No. 1 overall sophomore prospect Dylan Moses in the group. It's a scary duo and an extremely strong starting point toward future recruiting endeavors. 

Miami may still sit atop 2016 recruiting rankings, but this recent scintillating stretch proves no program is more hot on the recruiting trail right now than LSU.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.