4-Star LB Marcel Brooks Commits to LSU over Alabama, Oklahoma and More

Highly touted linebacker Marcel Brooks announced Sunday he has committed to the LSU Tigers.

Brooks is the No. 5 outside linebacker and No. 112 player overall in the 2019 recruiting class, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He's also the 14th-best player in the state of Texas.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron appeared to respond to Brooks' announcement:

With Brooks on board, the Tigers have the 11th-best class in the nation on 247Sports' composite team rankings. Brooks is also the second linebacker to commit to LSU for 2019, joining Zach Edwards.

The Flower Mound, Texas, native visited the LSU campus in March and explained to SEC Country's Sam Spiegelman at the time how he built a strong bond with Orgeron right away.

"Man, me and Coach O have the tightest relationship I've ever had in recruiting," Brooks said. "We talked about playing early mostly. The love they gave me in Baton Rouge—it's different than any school I've ever been to. People walking around, the athletes I was talking to, the coaches … there's nothing like that."

Tyler Taylor, K'Lavon Chaisson and Jacob Phillips all received consistent playing time as freshmen in 2017, so Orgeron has shown he's willing to rely on first-year players. At the same time, the trio of Taylor, Chaisson and Phillips will provide plenty of competition for Brooks when he arrives in Baton Rouge.

The Tigers also have a pair of linebackers, Micah Baskerville and Damone Clark, joining the team for the 2018 season.

A dynamic defender who can help against the run and pass, Brooks has the potential to be a key player for the Tigers. But he may have to wait a year or two before he cracks LSU's first string.