Tag: Gabriel Reliford

Brian Kelly identifies 3 true freshmen who could make an immediate impact in 2024

Expect to see these first-year players take the field early in 2024.

After taking a much smaller transfer portal class than it has in the past two offseasons, LSU is mainly banking on the development of the players already on the roster as it enters the 2024 season.

However, the Tigers could get some help from their incoming true freshmen in the 2024 signing class. At SEC Media Days on Monday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] identified three true freshmen who could make a Day 1 impact at LSU: defensive tackle [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Gabriel Reliford[/autotag] and receiver [autotag]Jelani Watkins[/autotag].

“We have some freshmen that I think are poised and ready to play,” Brian Kelly said, per On3. “We’ve got a defensive tackle in Dom McKinley. We’ve got a defensive end in Gabe Reliford. We’ve got a wide receiver in Jelani Watkins, who is maybe one of the fastest players in the country, that I think are poised, based on our summer workouts, that I think can contribute right away. And that’s just to say a few guys.”

McKinley is an understandable choice. A five-star prospect and the top player in Louisiana last cycle, it was a big recruiting win for the staff to flip him from Texas A&M last winter.

Reliford could also see some action on a defensive line that lacks depth, and LSU linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag], who was also in Dallas for SEC Media Days, also spoke highly of him.

“Gabe is somebody that I’ve been watching quietly,” Perkins said per On3. “He’s humble, he puts in the work every single day, he comes in every day and busts his tail to be the best. I’ve just watched him put in the work. He reminds me of myself. Just coming in, not trying to step on anybody’s toes. ‘I just want to be the best. I’m here to take somebody’s spot.’

“So, that’s kind of what he reminds me of myself a little bit in that remarks. Quiet, just trying to put in his work and be great.”

Watkins may have trouble breaking through in a receiving corps that remains talented despite the offseason losses, but his speed as a former high school track star makes him an intriguing potential weapon on offense.

LSU has questions at several positions entering the season, especially when it comes to depth. But if some of these true freshmen are able to contribute right away, it would certainly ease some of those concerns.

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Can LSU flip elite 5-star Texas A&M WR commit Terry Bussey?

LSU has already flipped three prospects from Texas A&M this cycle. Can it pull off a fourth?

Like most teams around the country, LSU wrapped up the bulk of its 2024 class on early signing day last month. But the Tigers aren’t quite done yet.

Since the early signing period, they’ve already pulled off one major flip, pulling five-star defensive lineman [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag] — the No. 1 prospect in the state of Louisiana — away from Texas A&M.

McKinley is one of three players LSU has flipped from the Aggies, joining offensive tackle [autotag]Weston Davis[/autotag] and fellow defensive lineman [autotag]Gabriel Reliford[/autotag].

The Tigers are pushing for a fourth flip, however, this time from five-star receiver [autotag]Terry Bussey[/autotag] who, like McKinley, pushed his signing back to February.

Bussey has been a frequent visitor to Baton Rouge, taking three trips including an official visit on a game weekend in October. Texas A&M has seen quite a bit of attrition since the firing of coach Jimbo Fisher, and LSU has taken advantage.

“LSU flipped four A&M commits this cycle, but they still are chasing one more. (Bussey) has been a standout at Timpson, he’s listed as an athlete, one of the best players in the country and he’s still available,” On3’s Shea Dixon said.

“Committed to A&M…he and Dominick McKinley were two A&M commitments who said ‘I’m not signing early, I want to wait until February to see how things look.’ Well, McKinley’s already flipped to LSU, a five-star defensive tackle. That’s four players that LSU’s flipped out of A&M’s class — and all being pretty big ones.”

LSU’s 2024 class currently ranks seventh nationally, but if it landed Bussey — a Timpson, Texas, prospect who ranks No. 19 nationally in the 247Sports Composite — it could push for a spot in the top five.

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Where LSU’s 2024 class ranks after latest commitment

Here’s where LSU’s class ranks after its latest commitment.

LSU added a blue-chip recruit to its 2024 class last week, picking up a commitment from Louisiana defensive tackle [autotag]Gabriel Reliford[/autotag].

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Reliford is the 23rd-best defensive lineman in the class and the 220th overall recruit.

On3’s own rankings are even higher on Reliford, putting him in the top 100.

So where do recruiting services rank LSU’s class after its latest commitment?

On3: 12th

247Sports: 12th

ESPN: 14th

Rivals: 8th

The Reliford commitment didn’t move the needle rankings-wise, but it filled a major need for LSU. After missing out on defensive tackle [autotag]Dominick McKinley[/autotag], LSU needed more depth on the interior line. With [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] and [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] potentially off to the league, the Tigers need to reload at that spot.

LSU sits outside the top 10 on most sites, which isn’t up to the standard set in years past, but this class is deep and has depth.

Rivals is the highest on Brian Kelly’s class right now, slotting the Tigers at eighth.

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Former 2024 4-Star DL and Aggie commit has found a new home

2024 4-star DL and former Aggie commit Gabriel Reliford has reportedly committed to LSU after recently de-committing from Texas A&M.

In one of the more unsurprising turns of events, one of Texas A&M’s recent commits has found a new collegiate home as 2024 four-star defensive lineman Gabriel Reliford, a native of Louisiana, has committed to the LSU Tigers after de-committing from Texas A&M earlier this week.

While some will blame Elijah Robinson’s future departure to Syracuse as the primary reason for transfer portal and recruiting losses, new head football coach Mike Elko’s transition into the program would always result in some roster attrition.

As one of the rising players in the 2024 cycle, Reliford is currently positioned as the 30th-ranked Edge and the 12th-ranked player in Louisiana. Due to his rapid ascendance, it apparently took some time for LSU to realize just how dominant Reliford had been during his high school career at Evangel Christian Academy.

Credit goes to the Aggies and former head coach Jimbo Fisher for acknowledging Reliford’s versatile skill set before nearly everyone else, including LSU. However, while the losses sting, you can’t blame a hometown kid for wanting to play for his hometown team.

Five-star DL Dominick McKinley and four-star DL Dealyn Evans remain the only defensive line commits in A&M’s 2024 recruiting class.

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FLIP ALERT: LSU lands former Texas A&M DL commit Gabriel Reliford

LSU’s 2024 recruiting class just got even better as the Tigers have added a four-star defensive lineman from Louisiana to the class.

LSU’s 2024 recruiting class just got even better as the Tigers have added a four-star defensive lineman from Louisiana to the class.

[autotag]Gabriel Reliford[/autotag] is a 6-foot-2, 255-pound defensive lineman from Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, Reliford was previously committed to Texas A&M but he decommitted from the Aggies on Dec. 3.

It did not take him long to make his decision after that as he chose LSU only five days later.

The Tigers now have 27 commitments for the 2024 class, a class that ranks as the No. 13 class in the country by 247Sports. Reliford is the third defensive lineman commit of the class as he joins [autotag]De’Myrion Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Shone Washington[/autotag].

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] is always looking to beef up the defensive line and improve the Tigers in any way possible. He has definitely done that with Reliford and there is still room for a few more commits to join.

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LSU receives new prediction for 4-star defensive lineman, recent Texas A&M decommit

Shreveport native Gabriel Reliford recently decommitted from Texas A&M.

On Sunday, [autotag]Gabriel Reliford[/autotag], a four-star defensive lineman from Shreveport, Louisiana, decommitted from Texas A&M and reopened his recruitment.

Reliford has since been projected by On3 to commit to LSU. Reliford is 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, and a star player for Evangel Christian Academy. The Evangel Christian Eagles finished the 2023 season 7-5 with a loss in the second round of the playoffs to Archbishop Shaw.

In the past three seasons as an Eagle, Reliford has racked up over 100 tackles each year. 100 tackles as a sophomore, 129 tackles as a junior and 123 tackles as a senior. During that same stretch, he has made 84 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, and he has forced nine fumbles.

LSU is now a 99% favorite to land Reliford per On3 and the Tigers received a Crystal Ball projection to land him on Dec. 3. LSU’s 2024 recruiting class currently has 26 commitments and is ranked as the No. 14 overall class in the country.

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NEW: Louisiana EDGE decommits from Texas A&M after LSU official visit

The Tigers could be close to a flip with Shreveport edge rusher Gabriel Reliford.

Texas A&M has seen quite a bit of recruiting departures since it fired Jimbo Fisher and saw interim coach and top recruiter Elijah Robinson walk to become the defensive coordinator at Syracuse.

The latest player to leave the Aggies’ 2024 class is edge rusher [autotag]Gabriel Reliford[/autotag], who decommitted from Texas A&M on Sunday night. While we don’t know where Reliford is headed, it’s worth noting that the decommitment came after an official visit to Baton Rouge this weekend.

The Shreveport native plays for Evangel Christian Academy and ranks as a four-star prospect. He’s the No. 276 player nationally per 247Sports, and he ranks as the No. 8 recruit in the state of Louisiana.

There are currently no Crystal Ball projections for Reliford, but LSU is now a heavy favorite per the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine at 78.5%. He will be announcing his commitment on Saturday.

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2024 4-Star DL Gabriel Reliford has de-committed from Texas A&M

2024 4-star DL Gabriel Reliford has reportedly re-opened his recruitment at de-committing from Texas A&M.

After the news that long-time assistant and recruiting ace Elijah Robinson was leaving his post to take the defensive coordinator position at Syracuse under new head coach Fran Brown, Texas A&M’s 2024 recruiting class, mostly assembled due to Robinson’s influence, would likely take a hit.

On Sunday, the first domino fell with news that 2024 four-star defensive lineman Gabriel Reliford, who committed to the Aggies last summer, would re-open his recruitment after taking an official visit to LSU.

As one of the rising players in the 2024 cycle, Reliford is currently positioned as the 30th-ranked Edge and the 12th-ranked player in Louisiana. Due to his rapid ascendance, it apparently took some time for LSU to realize just how dominant Reliford had been during his high school career at Evangel Christian Academy.

Not to say his de-commitment is solely based on Robinson’s departure from the program. Still, every defensive line prospect in the 2024 class, including four-star Dealyn Evans, has created a lasting relationship with Elijah Robinson that could affect even more decisions in the coming months.

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After 5-Star DL Dominick McKinley’s commitment, Texas A&M’s 2024 recruiting class soars in 247Sports’ Team rankings

After 2024 5-star DL Dominick McKinley committed to Texas A&M, the Aggies 2024 recruiting class rises in 247Sports Team rankings.

Just a day before Texas A&M kicks off the 2023 college football season against New Mexico, Jimbo Fisher and his staff received the exciting news that 2024 five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley had committed to the Aggies, shocking many in the recruiting landscape, as the No.1-ranked player in Louisiana chose the Maroon & White over LSU, Oklahoma, Texas, and Ohio State.

Texas A&M D-line coach Elijah Robinson deserves a bulk of the credit for successfully winning McKinley’s approval, as his development in the trenches combined with his academic future make the Aggies a perfect fit, joining one of the deepest defensive line group littered with blue chip talent. Joining four-star Dealyn Evans and three-star Gabriel Reliford, the future in the defensive trenches looks to be secure, yet future success on the field will truly determine the future of the defensive roster.

After McKinley’s impactful announcement, Texas A&M’s 247Sports 2024 Team Recruiting Ranking has now risen to the No. 5 spot and is one of four teams with an average recruit ranking of 92, joining Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama.

With a total of 21 verbal commits, including one five-star, 18 four-star, and two three-star prospects, several high-priority prospects remain, most notably 2024 five-star athlete Terry Bussey, who is a big favorite to land with the Maroon & White ahead of his commitment announcement on Sept. 28.

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2024 4-star Edge and Aggie commit Gabriel Reliford reportedly saved his brother from a pit bull attack

2024 4-star Edge and Texas A&M commit Gabriel Reliford reportedly saved his brother from a potentially fatal pit bull attack.

Generally overused, the term “hero” has many definitions. In my humble opinion, the most accurate remains “One who shows great courage,” especially the everyday heroes who never receive the attention they deserve when extraordinary acts are taken.

In a story from Jimmy Walker of the Shreveport Times, which was released this week, 2024 3-star Edge and Texas A&M commit Gabriel Reliford, a Louisiana native and perhaps the most underrated prospect in the entire 2024 cycle, is much more than meets the eye between the hashes on Friday nights. According to Walker, Reliford reportedly saved his then 10-year-old brother Emmanuel from a potentially fatal pit bull attack just a few short years ago.

“He turned to see that none of the neighbors watching the incident were offering assistance, so he headed back and was able to wrestle Emmanuel away from the dog and get him to safety. Emmanuel survived, but needed multiple hospital visits to have bites and cuts repaired.”

As scary as that moment had to be for everyone involved, the fact that Reliford immediately sprung to action speaks volumes about his character and leadership skills in times of crisis. Now that’s a hero, folks.

Gabriel Reliford’s current recruiting profile paints a player who is never tired of improving his craft, as the once zero-star prospect has now risen to become the 31st-ranked Edge in the class and the 10th-ranked player in Louisiana, according to 247Sports Composite.

As the article continues to open us up to Gabriel Reliford’s incredible work ethic outside of the game, high intellect, and love of Anime during his downtime from practice and recruiting trips, Jimbo Fisher and his staff have found themselves the next great representative for the Texas A&M has to offer on the field, and in the classroom.

Despite not boasting the longest wingspan compared to others in his class, Reliford leverages his speed to beat opposing tackles on the Edge. With an impressively quick first burst off the line, he can easily flex his athleticism and versatility. Once he enters the Aggies’ conditioning program, adding healthy mass could shift him to the defensive line if needed.

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