LSU 5-Star Commit Saivion Smith Is Les Miles' Secret Recruiting Weapon

One of the main catalysts of LSU’s 2016 recruiting class is 5-star corner Saivion Smith.

The Tigers currently have the nation’s No. 2 group, and since he committed to the Tigers back in February, Smith has taken an active role in recruiting other elite prospects to join him in Baton Rouge and play for Tigers head coach Les Miles.

Included on his list of targets are a few of his current prep teammates at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, such as 5-star defensive tackle Shavar Manuel, 4-star linebacker Rahshaun Smith and 4-star receiver Drake Davis.

Smith accompanied Manuel on a visit to Baton Rouge in June, which has helped the Tigers establish a firm position in Manuel’s top three. 

“I’m trying to get Shavar [Manuel] to come with me,” Smith told Bleacher Report. “I feel pretty confident with him.”

With Rahshaun Smith recently backing off of an early pledge to Clemson, LSU is one of the schools that is fighting to get in the race. 

“I know [Rahshaun] is going to take an official the week they play Florida,” Smith said. “I’m talking with him about it, and he said he will look into it since he just decommitted.”

Davis is one of several high-profile transfers whom IMG Academy has added in the offseason, and he currently has LSU in his top three, along with Ole Miss and Texas A&M. 

“[Drake is] my roommate right now,” Smith said. “I’m talking with him right now about coming to Baton Rouge. That would be pretty sweet. He has family that goes to school and plays football there also. So that would be a good fit.”

Another top LSU target who recently visited Baton Rouge is 5-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary, who is the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2016 cycle. However, Smith said one thing is preventing him from putting the full-court press on Gary.

“I have not communicated with Rashan recently because we actually have to play [Paramus Catholic] this year,” Smith said with a laugh.

It’s been a busy offseason for the 6’2”, 175-pounder, who rates as the nation’s No. 2 corner and the No. 13 player overall in the 2016 cycle.

In fact, his travels during the summer camp season caused him to fall behind in the classroom. Smith addressed the reason he was withheld from the practice field at the beginning of fall camp.

“In the summer, I talked with my family, and we decided it would be best for me to try and graduate early. I took a couple of online classes [in the summer], but being on the summer camp circuit and the seven-on-seven circuits kind of put me behind,” Smith explained.

“So my dad was talking to the coaches, and they all decided they wanted me to finish those courses before I came back [to practice]. The coaches were OK with that. I got it done and now I’m back.”

Now that he’s returned to the field, Smith is turning his attention toward his senior season.

As noted by Jim Halley of USA Today Sports, IMG will start the season ranked No. 2 in the country—which puts a bull's-eye squarely on the Ascenders this fall.

While the roster has been reloaded with plenty of talent, Smith is one of the few returning starters from last year's squad. With his college destination already known, Smith’s goals are fairly simple for the upcoming season. 

“I’m not worried about my individual stats this year,” he stated. “I’m just trying to win a national championship and do whatever it takes to help our team win. I want to help get our other guys the exposure they deserve. It’s all about winning that national championship.”

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

Follow @SanjayKirpalani