Tag: Jelani Watkins

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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Phil Steele ranks LSU’s Jelani Watkins as No. 21 freshman wide receiver

LSU wide receiver Jelani Watkins has the speed to make an impact as true freshman.

LSU’s receiver room is tasked with reloading after losing [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] The Tigers have some talent in the pipeline already with fifth-year players [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag].

But staying on top at the receiver position requires elite recruiting year in and year out. One true freshman worth keeping an eye on this fall is J[autotag]elani Watkins[/autotag], who college football analyst Phil Steele ranked as 21st best first-year receiver in the country.

According to On3’s Industry Ranking, Watkins is a four-star and the No. 217 overall recruit in his class. Watkins rates highest at ESPN, where he’s the No. 5 wide receiver in the class. 247Sports puts Watkins at No. 23 among his fellow receivers, not far off Steele’s ranking at 21.

Watkins’ best trait is his speed. He’s expected to run track at LSU along with playing football and was recently named the Gatorade Player of The Year in Texas for his accomplishments on the track circuit.

It’s unclear if Watkins will make an immediate impact, but the opportunity will be there if he forces the envelope. LSU’s offensive staff values speed and Watkins has the wheels to create big plays.

Watkins was a member of LSU’s 2024 class that ranked No. 7 nationally.

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LSU football 4-star Jelani Watkins wins Gatorade Player of the Year for track

Jelani Watkins was one of LSU’s top ranked football recruits, but he brought him Gatorade Player of The Year for his work on the track.

LSU wide receiver coach [autotag]Cortez Hankton[/autotag] puts a premium on speed and he’ll be getting some serious wheels with the arrival of [autotag]Jelani Watkins[/autotag].

Watkins was recently named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas, not for football, but for his accomplishments on the track.

“The 5-foot-10, 161-pound senior sprinter broke the tape in the 100-meter dash at the UIL 6A state meet, clocking a personal best time of 10.19 seconds, which ranked No. 2 nationally among boys prep competitors and No. 23 in prep history,” Gatorade wrote in a press release.

Watkins was also a key member of the 4×100 relay team that broke a national record that had stood for 26 years.

“Watkins has maintained a 3.12 GPA in the classroom,” Gatorade wrote.

According to ESPN, Watkins is the No. 5 overall receiver in the 2024 recruiting class. In the 247Sports Composite Rankings, he’s the No. 167 overall recruit and No. 28 ranked receiver.

Watkins is also set to run track at LSU.

With summer workouts in full swing, Watkins is on campus with the other 2024 recruits, participating in summer workouts.

There’s plenty of targets to go around with [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] turning pro. If Watkins makes a strong early impression, Hankton and co-OC [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] might find a way to get his speed on the field.

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Speed the key for LSU’s receivers in 2024

LSU’s wide receiver room has plenty of speed in 2024. That could soften the blow of losing Thomas and Nabers.

LSU’s wide receiver room has some big shoes to fill this fall.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] are off to the NFL. Together, they combined for 2,746 yards and 31 touchdowns on 157 catches last year.

The two accounted for 62.3% of LSU’s receiving yards and 40% of all offensive touchdowns. That’s a huge chunk of production LSU needs to replace.

With Nabers and Thomas swallowing up so many targets, LSU doesn’t have much experience waiting in the wings. [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] were decent supplemental options last year, combining for 66 catches and 906 yards.

But what LSU lacks in experience, it could make up for in speed. Last week, receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] took to social media posting what can be assumed was his tracked speed at a workout. 23.3 miles per hour.

That’s elite speed, and he’s not the only one. Hilton will be joined by a few other guys that can fly.

[autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] caught just 12 passes last year after transferring from Alabama, but in high school, he was a track star in Louisiana.

[autotag]Jelani Watkins[/autotag], a key member of LSU’s 2024 class who signed last December, is set to join the fold too.

Watkins is one of the fastest players in the country, winning the Texas state title in the 200-meter.

What does this mean for LSU on the field?

Speed doesn’t always translate and there’s plenty more that goes into being a good receiver. It’s also nothing new. Nabers and Thomas could also fly and it’s hard to imagine LSU’s downfield passing attack getting any better than it was last year.

But the speed LSU will have in that room could help keep LSU among the most explosive offenses in the country.

LSU might not have anyone who can adjust to the ball in the air and make plays at the level of Nabers and Thomas, but it can make up for it with guys who can consistently take the top off a defense.

With [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] at QB, who’s shown he won’t hesitate to let it fly, expect LSU to take plenty of deep shots in 2024.

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NEW: 4-star 2024 wide receiver commits to LSU

Jelani Watkins becomes LSU’s 23rd overall commit for the 2024 class.

Earlier Friday, [autotag]Jelani Watkins[/autotag] received a prediction from On3 to commit to LSU. Just a few hours later, the four-star wide receiver committed to the Tigers.

Watkins is a 5-foot-10, 160-pound, four-star wide receiver from Houston where he plays for Klein Forest High School. The Klein Forest Eagles finished the 2022 season 5-5 and failed to make the 6A playoffs.

Watson also runs track at Klein Forest, and he’s one of the fastest athletes in Texas. He won the Texas 6A 200-meter state championship as a junior with a 20.54, which proved 0.32 seconds faster than second place and he ran a 20.39 200 to win a district championship in April 2023.

Watkins becomes the 23rd overall commit for the 2024 class. The class is currently ranked as the No. 9 class in the country by 247Sports but it could soar even higher on Aug. 10 as two of LSU’s top prospects choose where they will play their college ball.

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Texas A&M is a finalist for 2024 4-star WR, Jelani Watkins

The Aggies now know where they stand with 2024 4-star WR Jelani Watkins, who recently placed Texas A&M in his final four program list.

Due to the Fourth of July celebrations on Tuesday, some big-time recruiting news was hiding in plain sight, as 2024 four-star wide receiver Jelani Watkins released his final four program list, as the Houston, Texas native has narrowed his collegiate options to LSU, Arkansas, Texas, and of course, Texas A&M.

According to 247Sports, Watkins is currently positioned as the No. 22 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle and the 21st-ranked player in Texas, and as of today, LSU remains the current favorite to land Watkins, who recently took an official visit to Baton Rouge on June 23.

Entering his senior season at Klein Forest High School, Watkins’ 2022 junior season was cut short after just three games, recording 12 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Watkins is also a Track & Field star, winning the Texas 6A 200-meter State Championship in 2022, recording a 20.54 time, while finishing sixth in the same Championship in April at 21.06.

Watkins is already a proven vertical threat but also possesses notable RAC (run after catch) ability. He is a go-to option in the screen game due to his speed and agility once he reaches his second gear.

Even though Texas A&M seems to be the weak link out of the four finalists, Watkins’ three unofficial visits to College Station still hold some significance, while Texas only offered him in early May.

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Texas among the finalists for four-star WR Jelani Watkins

The Longhorns have a chance to form one of the best receiver classes in years.

While many people were off celebrating on Tuesday, the Longhorns continued to make strides on the recruiting trail. Continue reading “Texas among the finalists for four-star WR Jelani Watkins”

LSU receives prediction for 4-star 2024 wide receiver

Jelani Watkins could be heading to Baton Rouge, based on this recent projection.

On3 LSU insider Shea Dixon has predicted that 2024 four-star wide receiver Jelani Watkins will commit to LSU.

Watkins is a 5-foot-9, 150-pound speedster from Houston where he plays for Klein Forest High School. Watkins holds offers from multiple Division I schools, and Texas A&M, Oregon and Michigan were all considered to be in the running to land him.

LSU currently has three wide receiver commitments for the 2024 class, four-stars [autotag]Joseph Stone[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag], and three-star [autotag]Kylan Billiot[/autotag]. The Tigers class currently ranks as the No. 8 class in the country according to 247Sports.

With [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and possibly [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] moving on after next fall, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] is trying to find some guys that can fill the void that those two players will leave.

There are promising guys on the team already ([autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Shelton Sampson Jr.[/autotag]) who can try to fill those roles, but you never know if any players will live up to their full potential.

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