LSU Recruiting 2012: Who the Tigers Must Target to Maintain SEC Control

As the No. 1 team in the country, recruiting comes a little easier for LSU this year. Being in the national spotlight all year long helps tremendously, but the Tigers still have work to do to compete with Alabama and to make sure they remain the top team in the SEC West. 

Les Miles has had a Top-10 recruiting class for the last three years, including the No. 1 class in 2009. The Tigers are in the Top 15 in what seems like every year, and with a strong finish they could squeak into the Top 5. 

With the regular season now over, the attention turns to preparing for the bowl game, but at the same time, Miles and his staff have to hit the recruiting trail hard to land some of the nation's most coveted prospects. 

Here are just a few players that LSU needs to get to ensure the Tigers continue their dominance in the SEC. 

Noah Spence, DE 

Regarded as the best defensive end in the country by ESPN and Scout.com, Spence would be a huge splash for the Tigers. 

The 6'4", 245-pound star athlete has offers pouring in from all over the place, but his only planned visit so far is this coming weekend to Ohio State. According to Rivals.com, Mike Vrabel is the one recruiting him for the Buckeyes.

Spence will probably wait for the spotlight around National Signing Day to announce his decision.  

LSU remains near the top of Spence's list though, and his addition to the team would strengthen a defense that is already one of the best in nation and will be once again next season. 

Spence has a knack for getting after the quarterback, and that is something Miles and John Chavis would love to add. 

Landon Collins, DB 

The best safety in the class of 2012, Collins is from Louisiana, which gives the Tigers a very strong chance of getting him because of how well the Tigers recruit their state.

Collins will have his official visit with LSU this weekend, according to Rivals.com. Having already taken a visit to Alabama the weekend they took on LSU, Collins has a lot to think about in the coming months. The outcome of the BCS title game could have an impact on his decision.  

He too has offers from a ton of schools, but I'd be very surprised if he didn't land in the SEC. Listed at 6'0", 210 pounds, Collins has the speed to excel at the collegiate level, as well as the physical style of play needed for a safety. 

The Tigers' future would be stacked if they could land Collins, who would definitely be an impact player for LSU throughout his career. 

Gunner Kiel, QB 

LSU will be losing senior quarterbacks Jarret Lee and Jordan Jefferson, which means signing a QB is very crucial this year. 

Yes, they do have Zach Mettenberger on the roster, and they signed dual-threat Jerrard Randall last year, but they still need to get one from the class of 2012. 

Gunner Kiel is viewed as the best QB available, and since he de-committed from Indiana there has been a mad dash by several teams to get him to visit. 

Listed at 6'4", 220-pounds, Kiel is the perfect pro-style QB, but he can also move well for his size. Miles would be able to work wonders with him in the future. Randall can easily move to wide receiver, and Kiel would definitely give Mettenberger great competition for the starting job. 

LSU is high on his list, and should the Tigers win the title it definitely helps their chances of not only landing Kiel but a number of other recruits as well.