LSU Football Recruiting: Grading the Tigers’ 2011 Class
LSU entered National Signing Day with a great group of commitments and a class ranking, as ranked by ESPN, of No. 8.
Although the Tigers did not make any major splashes today, they did get all of their key recruits signed.
LSU was a long shot consideration for the nation’s top-rated player, Jadeveon Clowney, but Clowney has eliminated the Tigers from consideration earlier today.
ESPN has dropped LSU from their top 10 recruiting classes, but Tiger fans can be happy with the incoming talent that will fill necessary voids.
Mickey Johnson
1 of 11
Position: Defensive Tackle
Ht/Wt: 6'1", 305
Where he fits in best: Johnson is a defensive tackle with good explosion off the line and a disruptive tendency. He does not possess the speed and quickness to move to defensive end, so the Tigers will utilize him in the middle.
Does it fill a void?: Yes. With the departure of Drake Nevis and Lazarius Levingston at defensive tackle, LSU will be in need of a large-bodied run stopper on the interior defensive line.
Grade: B+. Johnson is a high-motor guy with tremendous push at the snap. He has strength, bench pressing over 400 lbs and squatting over 700 lbs. Critics will attack his height, but with a 27" vertical Johnson more than makes up for his lack of height.
Stephen Rivers
2 of 11
Position: Quarterback
Ht/Wt: 6'5", 195
Where he fits in best: Stephen Rivers, the younger brother of San Diego Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers, could be LSU’s quarterback of the future.
Does it fill a void?: Zach Mettenberger comes to LSU as a sophomore with three years of eligibility. If he lives up to expectations, Mettenberger should be the starter through 2013.
Grade: B. Rivers is tall and lanky and has a frame that can handle a little more weight. Rivers will probably receive a redshirt in 2011, but if Rivers can bulk up a little, he’ll have the opportunity to compete with Barrett Bailey and Alex Walton for a starting role in 2014.
Trai Turner
3 of 11
Position: Offensive Line
Ht/Wt: 6'5", 340
Where he fits in best: An absolute beast on the offensive line, Trai Turner is one of two commitments for the Tigers in 2011 from St. Augustine in New Orleans, Louisiana. At 6’5” 340 lbs, Turner has the build that Tiger coaches can work with to create a dominant offensive line.
Does it fill a void?: Potentially. Turner is unlikely to get much playing time in 2011, but the Tigers will have two senior starters on the offensive line, so 2012 will present opportunities to fill voids at both guard positions.
Grade: B+. Turner has the makings of a great lineman in the Southeastern Conference, but he will be a project. He will need to add strength and could also work on footwork to improve his pass blocking.
Overall Turner is a great raw product that should improve over time to become a great player.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Kenny Hilliard
4 of 11
Position: Running Back
Ht/Wt: 6', 218
Where he fits in best: Hilliard has the power to wear down a defense and the speed to occasionally break free for a big run. This combined with better than average hands could move him up on the depth charts. Hilliard is a natural running back and it is highly unlikely that the Tigers will move him from that position.
Does it fill a void?: No. Although he is an elite back, the Tigers never have a void at running back. Les Miles’ history of using many running backs gives Hilliard an even better chance to break into the lineup early.
Grade: A-. Kenny Hilliard is a big, strong running back that could easily see playing time early in his career if he can prove to coaches that he can protect the quarterback. A very strong player, Hilliard has the strength to run inside the tackles and could prove useful when the Tigers need to grind out yardage.
Zach Mettenberger
5 of 11
Position: Quarterback
Ht/Wt: 6'5", 245
Where he fits in best: Metterberger is a natural pocket passer that passed for over 2600 yards with 32 touchdowns and only four interceptions as he led Butler to a No. 1 ranking and a spot in the National Junior College Championship game.
Does it fill a void?: To say yes would be an understatement. Mettenberger will compete immediately for the starting role and push the incumbent, Jordan Jefferson, to step up his game and get better. The Tigers were fairly successful in 2010 with very little offensive production. The addition of a guy that can move the chains and keep the defense off the field a little longer makes the Tigers an instant national title contender.
Grade: B+. The Tigers are desperate for a quarterback that can move the chains consistently and Mettenberger displayed this ability last year at the junior college level. If he can have similar success at LSU, the Tigers will be a definite national title contender in 2011.
Jermauria Rasco
6 of 11
Position: Defensive End
Ht/Wt: 6'3", 249
Where he fits in best: One of the nation’s top defensive ends, four-star recruit Jermauria Rasco will be a big addition to the Tigers’ rapidly improving defensive line. Rasco will have the advantage of single blocking thanks to five-star recruit Anthony Johnson playing along side.
Does it fill a void?: No. LSU has a host of defensive ends with tremendous potential. Rasco will be competing for a starting position with Barkevious Mingo, Kendrick Adams, Lavar Edwards, Jordan Allen and others. Rasco will not be an automatic starter, but will add welcomed depth and competition.
Grade: B-. Rasco is a talented defensive end that will certainly add depth to the LSU defensive line. Although he may not make an immediate impact, Rasco is definitely a player that can eventually develop into a good SEC defensive end.
Odell Beckham Jr.
7 of 11
Position: Wide Receiver
Ht/Wt: 5'10", 165
Where he fits in best: Beckham Jr. is a small, athletic play maker that plays a lot like current Tiger Russell Shepard. Barring injury, he will probably not get a whole lot of playing time in the offense. Beckham Jr. is more likely to get time on special teams as a return man.
Does it fill a void?: Maybe. With a new offensive coordinator coming to LSU, Tiger fans will have to wait and see how Beckham Jr. will be utilized, but with his speed and ability, he is a likely candidate to compete to replace Patrick Peterson as a kickoff/punt returner.
Grade: B+. Beckham Jr. has the play making skills to be a major factor in 2011. Very similar to Russell Shepard, Beckham Jr. is dangerous in space, but not much of a threat against the large defensive backs in the SEC. Getting him the ball in space to let him use his speed against the larger defensive players will be the key to his success at LSU.
Jarvis Landry
8 of 11
Position: Wide Receiver
Ht/Wt: 5'11", 178
Where he fits in best: Landry is definitely a wide receiver. His precise route running and great hands give him the potential to be an elite receiver in the SEC.
Does it fill a void?: Yes. Landry will fill the void left by Terrance Toliver and with improved quarterback play and offensive efficiency, all Tiger wide receivers will get their share of receptions in 2011.
Grade: B+. Jarvis Landry may only be 5’11” 178lbs, but he plays much bigger than he is. An elite route runner, Landry could make a major impact for the Tigers. With a little more size and some college-level coaching, Landry has the tools and ability to be an elite receiver in the SEC.
Anthony Johnson
9 of 11
Position: Defensive Tackle
Ht/Wt: 6'4", 298
Where he fits in best: Johnson is a natural defensive tackle. Although he has the speed to move to the edge in certain formations, he will be at home in the middle.
Does it fill a void?: Yes. With the departure of Drake Nevis and Lazarius Levingston at defensive tackle, LSU will be in need of the next great play maker on the interior defensive line and Anthony Johnson could be that guy.
Grade: A+. Johnson is a beast and has the ability to blow up plays in the backfield on a regular basis. While it definitely won’t be as easy in the SEC as it is for him in high school, with proper coaching Johnson can be the next dominant defensive tackle for the Tigers.
La’El Collins
10 of 11
Position: Offensive Tackle
Ht/Wt: 6'5", 285
Where he fits in best: Collins is a college-ready tackle that can play on either side. The Tigers will play him opposite Alex Hurst. The Tigers will probably put the more experienced Hurst at left tackle in 2011, but once Hurst graduates, Collins will be the blindside anchor for the remainder of his career.
Does it fill a void?: Yes. The No. 3 ranked offensive tackle in the nation, La’El Collins is college ready and will be a big part of LSU’s future as they reload their offensive line. With the departure of Joseph Barksdale, Collins will fill the void at tackle opposite Alex Hurst.
Grade: A+. Collins is college-ready and versatile enough to play any position on the line so LSU will probably utilize him as a freshman and enjoy his services for four years. At 6’5” 285 lbs, Collins has the strength, speed and agility to not only play tackle in the SEC, but play at an elite level.
Overall Grade: A-
11 of 11
Although Tiger fans have become accustomed to better rated recruiting classes, LSU head coach Les Miles has addressed areas of needs with his 2011 recruits.
LSU’s major needs were on the offensive line, defensive line and at quarterback and all of these were addressed in a major way, making the 2011 recruiting a successful effort.
The only need that LSU did not really address with recruits is the void left at linebacker with the departure of Kelvin Sheppard.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
