After the dust had settled on the 2022 recruiting class, LSU head coach Brian Kelly had secured a top-six class in the overall rankings. As far as the class itself, Kelly was able to get as high as No. 12 according to On3’s team rankings.
The top signees include a late get from Harold Perkins, as he returns to his home state to play for the Tigers. The No. 2 rated linebacker could see some early playing time in Baton Rouge. The team lost their defensive captain in Damone Clark to the NFL as well as Bug Strong to the transfer portal. Can Perkins pass up Mike Jones Jr on the two-deep is the real question?
Plenty of time before we get too far into those discussions, let’s focus on the task at hand, shall we?
Tiger fans couldn’t have asked for much better with the transition class under Brian Kelly. Yes, missing on TreVonte’ Citizen, Jacoby Mathews, Caleb Douglas, and Danny Lewis Jr isn’t great. However, the team did secure a very good class considering that the new head coach has been on the job less than three months.
Let’s reset with the upcoming 2023 class. Currently, the Tigers have just one commitment with four-star wide receiver Omarion Miller of Vivian. Plenty of work still to be done. Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports expects Kelly to be a major player for the Tigers with this next class.
While new LSU coach Brian Kelly doesn’t have the reputation of being a nine-inning guy on the trail, he is certainly embracing the role at the helm in Baton Rouge and has always been considered one of college football’s best living room guys. Landing five-star linebacker Harold Perkins on National Signing Day was as big a win any program had Wednesday. The Tigers had three-straight top five recruiting classes prior to coming in at No. 12 in 2022.
Of course, you can’t mention the 2023 cycle without bringing up Louisiana’s crown jewel, Arch Manning. Everyone seems to be trying to get into the ear of the Manning family scion. He is the No. 1 overall recruit of the class and the top schools chasing Manning are widely known.
The New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman blue-chipper has Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss and Texas near the top of his list. Manning visited both in the summer and returned to each campus for a game during the fall. The next step in his process will be trying to get out and see some of his teams participate in spring practice and get a feel for what that looks like.
Beyond the programs mentioned, new LSU coach Brian Kelly went into the school as the Tigers try and gain ground. Ohio State quarterback coach Corey Dennis has been in touch for awhile.
Buckle up folk, this could get wild on the trails.