The LSU Tigers are on another level on the recruiting front right now.
Just last week, the defending national champions picked up three commitments in a span of four days, moving LSU into the No. 6 spot in 247Sports team rankings for the 2021 class.
Several of the country’s top uncommitted players have the defending champions among their finalists, including five-star linebacker Smael Mondon.
Mondon, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker from Paulding County High School in Dallas, Ga., recently released a top-five and included LSU in that group.
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@PBJCreatives pic.twitter.com/jVjOlr0TkD
— Smael Mondon Jr (@SmaelJr) July 5, 2020
Mondon’s finalists were all from the SEC and included Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Auburn.
After he released his list, Mondon spoke to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports and said distance would not be a factor in his decision as the other four of Mondon’s finalists are reasonably close to his Georgia residence.
“Being home state is not too much of a factor,” Mondon said. “If I go to Auburn it’s the same distance from my house as Georgia is. Tennessee is close by and Florida is not too much farther.”
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When asked what he liked about the defending national champion LSU Tigers, Mondon spoke of the culture and his relationships with the coaches.
The culture at the program, they have a good team culture. Coach O seems like a real personable coach and seems like he cares about all their players. I used to talk to their d-coordinator Dave Aranda and I started talking to Bo Pelini and there’s no drop off relationship-wise.
Mondon did not indicate a decision would be made.
According to 247Sports internal rankings, Mondon is the No. 9 overall player in the 2021 class and the No. 1 linebacker.
Consider Mondon a major priority for head coach Ed Orgeron.
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