Tag: PJ Woodland

True freshman LSU cornerback PJ Woodland reportedly pushing for first-team reps in spring camp

The early enrollee was just a three-star coming out of high school, but he may compete for early playing time.

Freshman cornerback [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] was not one of the most heralded prospects in LSU’s 2024 signing class, but the early enrollee is quickly turning heads at spring practice.

The Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native was just a three-star recruit and ranked outside the top 500 nationally, yet he may compete for early reps this season as he’s been spotted running with the first team opposite [autotag]Ashton Stamps[/autotag] at cornerback, according to On3’s Matthew Brune.

“Competitiveness. PJ Woodland is a competitor,” new defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] said, per Brune. “ He’s feisty, he’s physical, and he can run. More than anything, for a freshman, we’ve thrown him out there with the ones some and thrown him out there against our top receivers and he competes. That’s where it starts, but he has the physical tools. He has long levers, he’s physical and he can run, so I’ve been impressed with him. It wasn’t easy. Those first three days before spring break I guarantee you he was saying ‘what in the world did I do coming here early?’ but he’s been really impressive these last few days.”

Woodland has reportedly shined in Baker’s new, more aggressive defensive scheme, which will ask cornerbacks to be a lot more physical and play more press. With a 5-foot-11, 160-pound frame, that may be difficult for him early on, but it seems he’s made an impression on the new defensive staff, particularly Baker and cornerbacks coach [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag], who returned to LSU after spending the previous two years at Florida.

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Where does LSU’s 2024 recruiting class rank after recent shakeups?

Here’s where LSU’s class ranks after some recent shakeups.

LSU’s 2024 class looks different than it did last week.

It took a hit when cornerback [autotag]Ondre Evans[/autotag] flipped to Georgia. It’s a big loss considering Evans was just one of eight top 200 commits in the class and plays a position of need.

The staff did its best to recoup the loss, though. In recent days, the Tigers got commitments from corners [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] and [autotag]Bernard Causey[/autotag]. Both are three stars, but there’s optimism about what they can bring to the class.

The Tigers now sit with five corners in the 2024 class. Causey and Woodland are joined by [autotag]Ju’Juan Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Cai Bates[/autotag] and [autotag]Wallace Foster[/autotag].

Even with the new additions and the young talent already on the roster, expect LSU to be active recruiting defensive backs in the portal.

But after the recent shakeups, let’s take a look at where LSU’s class stands now.

On3: 11th

247Sports: 12th

The loss of Evans knocked LSU’s class out of the top 10, but the Tigers are in pursuit of top 100 wide receiver [autotag]Dre’lon Miller[/autotag], who decommitted from Texas A&M after a visit to Baton Rouge.

A commitment from Miller would put LSU back in the top 10.

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BREAKING: LSU lands 3-star 2024 cornerback commit

The Tigers have suffered some recent losses on the trail, but they beat out a pair of division foes for this Hattiesburg, Mississippi, prospect.

After taking a couple of recent losses in the 2024 recruiting class, including a four-star cornerback in Ondre Evans, the Tigers got their class back up to 24 commits with the addition of [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] on Sunday night.

The three-star Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.) cornerback committed to LSU over in-state SEC West foes Ole Miss and Mississippi State. He had received Crystal Ball projections in favor of both schools, including a prediction for the Rebels as recently as last weekend.

But LSU received a pair of Crystal Balls on Sunday, and it was the heavy favorite according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

Woodland ranks as the No. 526 player nationally and No. 17 overall prospect in the state of Mississippi, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He’s one of X cornerback commits in the 2024 class, which also features [autotag]Cai Bates[/autotag], [autotag]Ju’Juan Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Wallace Foster[/autotag].

LSU’s 24-man 2024 class currently ranks 12th nationally.

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Auburn CB target PJ Woodland decommits from Mississippi State

It is an SEC West battle for PJ Woodland as Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are all working to land the talented cornerback.

[autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] has emerged as an Auburn target and the three-star cornerback has decided to re-open his recruitment. The Hattiesburg, Mississippi, native decommitted from Mississippi State on Sunday, breaking the news on social media.

Auburn extended an offer to Woodland back in March and cornerbacks coach [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag] is leading Auburn’s charge for him. They are far from the only SEC team recruiting him as Ole Miss, LSU and Mississippi State are also “actively involved” in his recruitment, according to On3’s Sam Spiegelman,

Auburn has its work cut out for it as Spiegelman believes Ole Miss has “jumped to the front of the line” for Woodland.

Woodland is the No. 557 overall player and No. 19 athlete in the On3 industry ranking. He is also the No. 18 player from Mississippi.

The 5-foot-11, 155-pounder plays both ways for Oak Grove High School but is expected to play corner at the next level. Auburn has three four-star cornerbacks committed in [autotag]A’mon Lane[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag].

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LSU cracks the final 2 for 4-star Mississippi cornerback

The Tigers seem to have a lot of ground to make up as Mississippi State is the heavy favorite to land PJ Woodland.

LSU became a late player in the recruitment of four-star Hattiesburg (Miss.) Oak Grove athlete [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag].

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and Co. didn’t offer him until May 16, but they’ve apparently made a fast impression on the 2024 prospect.

On Thursday, Woodland announced that he was down to just two schools: LSU and in-state Mississippi State. Ranked as the No. 356 player in the nation per 247Sports, the 5-foot-11 prospect likely projects as a cornerback.

LSU has a lot of ground to make up here. The Bulldogs have long been the favorite, receiving a pair of Crystal Ball predictions back in February and March. They also lead for Woodland per On3 by a wide margin at 94.2%.

The Tigers have clearly become a factor in the race, but it seems likely that Woodland will be heading to Starkville.

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LSU offers 4-star athlete from Hattiesburg, Mississippi

LSU is still looking to add talented players to its 2024 recruiting class.

LSU is still looking to add talented players to its 2024 recruiting class. The Tigers have found one in enemy territory as they offered an athlete from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

[autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] is a 6-foot, 165-pound, four-star athlete from Hattiesburg, Mississippi where he plays for Oak Grove High School. The Oak Grove Warriors finished the 2022 season 10-3 with a loss to Ocean Springs in the second round of the Mississippi 6A state playoffs.

Woodland is currently Crystal Balled to go to Mississippi State and the Bulldogs are an 87% favorite to land him per On3.

Film Analysis: Woodland can play a variety of positions on the field and shine in any of them. He is a gifted athlete that could make a difference at the next level.

FILM

No. 2 athlete in Mississippi incudes Vols in top-five schools

Tennessee is one of five schools for 3-PJ Woodland. Woodland was a first-team All-State selection in 2022.

Three-star athlete PJ Woodland announced his top-five schools on Tuesday.

Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida State, Texas and Mississippi State are Woodland’s top-five schools.

The 5-foot-11, 165-pound athlete is from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Woodland is the No. 376 overall prospect in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 19 athlete and No. 15 player in Mississippi, according to the On3 Sports industry rankings.

Woodland is the No. 2 athlete in Mississippi, according to On3.

As a junior in 2022, Woodland played wide receiver and defensive back, recording 19 receptions, 262 receiving yards, three touchdowns, 38 tackles, four pass breakups and seven interceptions. He earned first-team All-State honors as a defensive back.

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