Things wrapped up today from a camp perspective following a morning workout. I have to say that based on what I've heard about LSU's camps in the past, I think this year's crop of talent wasn't up to its usual level. It's been a long summer and I think a lot of the top guys are burned out and ready to rest up for the start of their actual seasons. Here's a rundown of what I saw today:
THE LINEMEN
Rivals250 Nashville (Tenn.) Davidson Academy OT Obinna Eze had the full attention of the staff for most of the day. LSU wanted so much personal time with him that he didn't even warm up and stretch with the rest of the camp, he was pulled off to the side for one-on-one work with Jeff Grimes. The then took rep after rep during one-on-ones, with Coach Orgeron and Austin Thomas keeping a close eye on him and Grimes coaching him up on several occasions. Les Miles also came over and watched Eze take several reps. I think LSU could be a factor and obviously the staff has had success with Nigerian offensive linemen in the past.
Class of 2018 Rivals100 defensive tackle D'Andre Litaker came down with Eze from the Nashville area for the camp, but he didn't have as good of a day. He struggled a bit inside and seemed to get frustrated, which only exacerbated his struggles. Thomas was seen encouraging him on several occasions. He already has an offer from the Tigers and looks like a player they will continue to track going forward.
Three-star Georgia defensive end Markaviest Bryant was also asked to take several reps against Eze and was clearly being evaluated by the staff. While he was working at defensive end, I'm pretty sure LSU is looking at him as hybrid pass rusher type. To the best of my knowledge he doesn't have an offer, but that may change after today.
The defensive lineman who had the best overall day was Gonzalez, La. defensive end Justin Harris. The two-star prospect has a smattering of offers from the likes of Kansas and company, but I have to think LSU will keep an eye on him after the way he performed today. He won several reps and moves well for a guy who is listed at 6-foot-6. I think there's no doubt he's a Power Five guy, the question is whether or not he's an LSU level guy.
I was also really impressed with 2018 Southern Lab center Cedric Banks. He's a guy that's relatively new on the recruiting radar, but started every game last year while playing both tackle and center. I think his future is inside and he has the size to play center. He won nearly every rep he took, and he gave Litaker fits. Remember his name for down the road.
Another guy who got some attention from the coaches and was pulled aside to work with Eze was 2019 Miami (Fla.) Edison offensive lineman Danielson Ike. He's listed as a tackle and played there quite a bit during the camp, but I see him as a guard. Initially when I saw him I thought he was a decent 2017 kid, but now that I know he's a 2019 I think he's a guy who could be pretty good down the road.
A player that Orgeron was really rooting for to have a good day today was Class of 2019 Florida defensive lineman Dan Dodd III. I didn't see anything particularly exciting out of him in terms of talent, but Orgeron was most vocal following his reps. Like I said, I didn't really love him, but then again Orgeron knows a little more about defensive line play than I do.
THE SKILL PLAYERS
Class of 2018 four-star quarterback Jack Tuttle has been at camp every day this week, but he saved his best for last, excelling at camp on Sunday morning. Tuttle did so well than when they split off at the end of the day to do one-on-ones, no other quarterback took a rep. It was just Tuttle throwing to the best wide receivers in attendance and against the best defensive backs in attendance. I don't know how Tuttle fits into LSU's plans at the quarterback position in the 2018 class, but I think his spot in the Rivals250 is well deserved at this point.
LSU WR commit Mannie Netherly was at the camp and he worked out, showing some good speed during one-on-ones. The main concern with Netherly appears to be his size. He's listed at 6-foot-2, 172 but he looks even skinnier than that. I think he's going to need some time to bulk up before he's ready to play in the SEC.
Rivals250 linebacker Will Ignont was in attendance and working out, but I can't exactly say he had the best day. He struggled to run in coverage and when you compare him to a guy like Chris Allen I think that it's not even close at this point. Also, it's clear to see why LSU and Alabama both prefer Jacob Phillips over Ignont at this point.
Three-star Florida DB prospect Nadarius Fagan came into the weekend as a guy LSU was hoping might commit, but now I'm not so sure he's even a take after he struggled through the camp today. Fagan is a guy that we aren't as high on rankings-wise as some other spots and obviously if LSU is going to take a guy out of Florida at that position they want him to be special. I think Fagan is going to evaluate his options this week and make a decision. It will be interesting to see where he sits on LSU's board at the position after they had a chance to see him live.
Despite committing to Tennessee just two days ago, four-star Mississippi wide receiver Jordan Murphy was on campus working out today. In my opinion, Murphy was more electric than Netherly and I think Tennessee is getting a good one. Of course, it's odd that he just committed but is still camping/taking visits, so this may not be the last we hear from him. Murphy does have an offer from the Tigers. Murphy got a lot of face time with Les Miles on the field, at one point even coming up and putting his arm around him.
Class of 2019 Hattiesburg, Miss. wide receiver Kevin Barnett was a guy who caught my eye, especially during the final pass catching "gauntlet" of the day. Barnett is a long, skinny wide receiver but obviously has plenty of time to grow into his long frame. He has no offers to date.
Lee County High School in Georgia had a large contingent of players at the camp today, including LSU fullback commit Tory Carter. While Carter appears locked in the with the Tigers, it was interested to see him bring along 2018 teammate Otis Reese, who is currently committed to Michigan. Reese has an offer from the Tigers and is listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and looked every bit of it. He struggled a big during DB drills and I'm beginning to wonder if he might end up growing into a linebacker. Obviously it's early in the process for him so getting him on campus is a step in the right direction for the Tigers. Recently offered LB Akiels Leroy was also in attendance today, but I can't say he really stood out to me. He has a lot of momentum right now, but we're going to have to see him again in the fall.
Three-star Saraland, Ala. DB Wydale Flatt was in attendance and working out today and he did pretty well, in m my opinion. He has a handful of offers right now, but I don't see him being an LSU type of guy, at least not at this point.
The running back I actually thought was the most impressive today was another Lee County kid, 2017 prospect Mark Robinson. To my knowledge, he has no offers and appears to be a true sleeper, but his physicality was really impressive and he took every rep at 100 percent. He's listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds and looked every bit of it.
Other FBS prospects I spotted making plays today included 2018 in-state running back A.J. Carter, 2017 in-state two-star DB Malik Robertson and in-state 2017 two-star wide receiver Ni'Jeel Meeking, who has an offer from Mississippi State.
That about sums it up from an on-field perspective. Mike will have plenty of post-picnic updates coming as well. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer.
THE LINEMEN
Rivals250 Nashville (Tenn.) Davidson Academy OT Obinna Eze had the full attention of the staff for most of the day. LSU wanted so much personal time with him that he didn't even warm up and stretch with the rest of the camp, he was pulled off to the side for one-on-one work with Jeff Grimes. The then took rep after rep during one-on-ones, with Coach Orgeron and Austin Thomas keeping a close eye on him and Grimes coaching him up on several occasions. Les Miles also came over and watched Eze take several reps. I think LSU could be a factor and obviously the staff has had success with Nigerian offensive linemen in the past.
Class of 2018 Rivals100 defensive tackle D'Andre Litaker came down with Eze from the Nashville area for the camp, but he didn't have as good of a day. He struggled a bit inside and seemed to get frustrated, which only exacerbated his struggles. Thomas was seen encouraging him on several occasions. He already has an offer from the Tigers and looks like a player they will continue to track going forward.
Three-star Georgia defensive end Markaviest Bryant was also asked to take several reps against Eze and was clearly being evaluated by the staff. While he was working at defensive end, I'm pretty sure LSU is looking at him as hybrid pass rusher type. To the best of my knowledge he doesn't have an offer, but that may change after today.
The defensive lineman who had the best overall day was Gonzalez, La. defensive end Justin Harris. The two-star prospect has a smattering of offers from the likes of Kansas and company, but I have to think LSU will keep an eye on him after the way he performed today. He won several reps and moves well for a guy who is listed at 6-foot-6. I think there's no doubt he's a Power Five guy, the question is whether or not he's an LSU level guy.
I was also really impressed with 2018 Southern Lab center Cedric Banks. He's a guy that's relatively new on the recruiting radar, but started every game last year while playing both tackle and center. I think his future is inside and he has the size to play center. He won nearly every rep he took, and he gave Litaker fits. Remember his name for down the road.
Another guy who got some attention from the coaches and was pulled aside to work with Eze was 2019 Miami (Fla.) Edison offensive lineman Danielson Ike. He's listed as a tackle and played there quite a bit during the camp, but I see him as a guard. Initially when I saw him I thought he was a decent 2017 kid, but now that I know he's a 2019 I think he's a guy who could be pretty good down the road.
A player that Orgeron was really rooting for to have a good day today was Class of 2019 Florida defensive lineman Dan Dodd III. I didn't see anything particularly exciting out of him in terms of talent, but Orgeron was most vocal following his reps. Like I said, I didn't really love him, but then again Orgeron knows a little more about defensive line play than I do.
THE SKILL PLAYERS
Class of 2018 four-star quarterback Jack Tuttle has been at camp every day this week, but he saved his best for last, excelling at camp on Sunday morning. Tuttle did so well than when they split off at the end of the day to do one-on-ones, no other quarterback took a rep. It was just Tuttle throwing to the best wide receivers in attendance and against the best defensive backs in attendance. I don't know how Tuttle fits into LSU's plans at the quarterback position in the 2018 class, but I think his spot in the Rivals250 is well deserved at this point.
LSU WR commit Mannie Netherly was at the camp and he worked out, showing some good speed during one-on-ones. The main concern with Netherly appears to be his size. He's listed at 6-foot-2, 172 but he looks even skinnier than that. I think he's going to need some time to bulk up before he's ready to play in the SEC.
Rivals250 linebacker Will Ignont was in attendance and working out, but I can't exactly say he had the best day. He struggled to run in coverage and when you compare him to a guy like Chris Allen I think that it's not even close at this point. Also, it's clear to see why LSU and Alabama both prefer Jacob Phillips over Ignont at this point.
Three-star Florida DB prospect Nadarius Fagan came into the weekend as a guy LSU was hoping might commit, but now I'm not so sure he's even a take after he struggled through the camp today. Fagan is a guy that we aren't as high on rankings-wise as some other spots and obviously if LSU is going to take a guy out of Florida at that position they want him to be special. I think Fagan is going to evaluate his options this week and make a decision. It will be interesting to see where he sits on LSU's board at the position after they had a chance to see him live.
Despite committing to Tennessee just two days ago, four-star Mississippi wide receiver Jordan Murphy was on campus working out today. In my opinion, Murphy was more electric than Netherly and I think Tennessee is getting a good one. Of course, it's odd that he just committed but is still camping/taking visits, so this may not be the last we hear from him. Murphy does have an offer from the Tigers. Murphy got a lot of face time with Les Miles on the field, at one point even coming up and putting his arm around him.
Class of 2019 Hattiesburg, Miss. wide receiver Kevin Barnett was a guy who caught my eye, especially during the final pass catching "gauntlet" of the day. Barnett is a long, skinny wide receiver but obviously has plenty of time to grow into his long frame. He has no offers to date.
Lee County High School in Georgia had a large contingent of players at the camp today, including LSU fullback commit Tory Carter. While Carter appears locked in the with the Tigers, it was interested to see him bring along 2018 teammate Otis Reese, who is currently committed to Michigan. Reese has an offer from the Tigers and is listed at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and looked every bit of it. He struggled a big during DB drills and I'm beginning to wonder if he might end up growing into a linebacker. Obviously it's early in the process for him so getting him on campus is a step in the right direction for the Tigers. Recently offered LB Akiels Leroy was also in attendance today, but I can't say he really stood out to me. He has a lot of momentum right now, but we're going to have to see him again in the fall.
Three-star Saraland, Ala. DB Wydale Flatt was in attendance and working out today and he did pretty well, in m my opinion. He has a handful of offers right now, but I don't see him being an LSU type of guy, at least not at this point.
The running back I actually thought was the most impressive today was another Lee County kid, 2017 prospect Mark Robinson. To my knowledge, he has no offers and appears to be a true sleeper, but his physicality was really impressive and he took every rep at 100 percent. He's listed at 6-foot, 200 pounds and looked every bit of it.
Other FBS prospects I spotted making plays today included 2018 in-state running back A.J. Carter, 2017 in-state two-star DB Malik Robertson and in-state 2017 two-star wide receiver Ni'Jeel Meeking, who has an offer from Mississippi State.
That about sums it up from an on-field perspective. Mike will have plenty of post-picnic updates coming as well. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer.
