Tag: Zion Williams

LSU trending to flip 4-star Texas defensive line commit

LSU could be poised to swipe a blue-chipper from its newly minted SEC foe.

The Tigers could add to their 2025 defensive line class quite a bit in the coming days with four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Zion Williams[/autotag] and EDGE [autotag]Damien Shanklin[/autotag] committing on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

LSU is the favorite for both and has received several predictions for them in recent days, but coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and the staff may not be done there.

The Tigers have also been pushing for [autotag]Brandon Brown[/autotag], a four-star defensive line prospect from Melbourne, Florida, who is committed to Texas. Brown, the No. 331 player in the nation per On3’s industry rankings, pledged to the Longhorns in December.

But after he officially visited LSU on May 31, he received a prediction to flip from On3’s Billy Embody. Now, On3’s Shea Dixon also concurs, logging a prediction for the Tigers to flip the blue-chipper.

According to LSU Country’s Zack Nagy, Brown is expected to make a final decision — presumably between Texas and LSU, though he also officially visited Tennessee, USC and Oklahoma — in the next two days.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU logs another prediction for 4-star DL Zion Williams on the eve of his commitment

The Tigers picked up another prediction to land four-star Texas defensive lineman Zion Williams, who commits on Thursday.

Two of LSU’s top defensive line targets are set to make commitment decisions over the next 48 hours, and the Tigers seem to be in good shape for both of them.

First up is four-star Lufkin, Texas, defensive lineman [autotag]Zion Williams[/autotag], who is set to announce his commitment on July 4. The Tigers have been the favorite here for a while, holding three crystal ball predictions from 247Sports and several predictions from On3’s recruiting staff, as well.

Now, LSU Country’s Zack Nagy is also projecting that Williams, the No. 298 player nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings, will commit to the Tigers on Thursday.

TCU is also in the mix for Williams, and he recently officially visited the Horned Frogs as well as Arkansas and Texas A&M.

LSU seems to be in a position of strength for Williams, and if it can land him as well as top-100 EDGE [autotag]Damien Shanklin[/autotag], who commits Friday, it would be a massive addition to a 2025 recruiting class that is already verging on elite.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Pair of blue-chip LSU recruiting targets to announce commitments this week

LSU could add to its already strong 2025 class with a pair of four-star prospects this week.

LSU’s 2025 recruiting class is already one of the best in the nation, and it could be set to get even better this week.

A pair of LSU targets are scheduled to make their decisions in four-star Indianapolis EDGE [autotag]Damien Shanklin[/autotag] and four-star Lufkin, Texas, defensive lineman [autotag]Zion Williams[/autotag]. The latter will commit on July 4 this Thursday, while the former, who ranks inside the top 100 nationally, will make his decision the following day.

LSU has received multiple predictions to land both players and currently seems to have a significant lead in their recruitment.

Shanklin and Williams aren’t the only Tigers targets deciding in the near future. Four-star receiver [autotag]Cortez Mills[/autotag], considered an Oklahoma lean, is committing on Monday, while in-state safety [autotag]Jhase Thomas[/autotag] will announce a decision on July 13.

It seems like a two-team race for Thomas between LSU and Ole Miss, though the Tigers look like the clear favorite.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU reportedly picking up steam for pair of blue-chip defensive lineman committing next week

Both Zion Williams and Damien Shanklin are set to make decisions during the first week of July.

LSU is off to a strong start in the 2025 recruiting cycle, but it’s looking to add to its defensive line haul. After next week, it could be a lot happier with that group.

Two players the Tigers are in the mix for are set to make their decisions: four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Zion Williams[/autotag] and four-star EDGE [autotag]Damien Shanklin[/autotag]. Williams, who comes from Lufkin, Texas, commits on Thursday, while Shanklin, an Indianapolis prospect, commits the following day after originally planning to commit in late August.

LSU has recently found itself trending for both. It picked up two crystal ball projections for Williams, the No. 284 player in the cycle, in the last week. Shanklin, who On3 ranks inside the top 100, also holds a crystal ball prediction for the Tigers.

On3’s recruiting prediction machine also gives LSU a sizable lead for both.

The Tigers had both on campus for official visits in the last month, and it seems defensive line coach [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] used that time with the prospects productively.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Texas target and four-star defensive lineman sets commitment date for Jul. 4

Texas could add to their 2025 class on Independence Day.

While the Texas Longhorns could be on flip alert with one of their four-star commitments, they might be close to getting another pledge at the position. 2025 four-star defensive lineman Zion Williams of Lufkin, Texas, has set Jul. 4 as his commitment date.

The Lufkin native is ranked as a top 300 overall prospect at No. 294 and No. 33 at his position per the 247Sports composite rankings. Williams is considering the Texas Longhorns along with the LSU Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies, and the TCU Horned Frogs.

He announced his commitment date on X, formerly Twitter. The Longhorns have two commitments at the position so far in the 2025 cycle led by Lance Jackson of Pleasant Grove and Brandon Brown of Eau Gallie. It was reported on Monday that Brown could flip his pledge over to LSU, who is also chasing Williams.

It isn’t a shock to see the Tigers in the hunt for these prospects considering former Texas defensive line coach Bo Davis is now in Baton Rouge.

With Texas now in the SEC, expect plenty more of these types of recruiting battles on the trails with fellow conference members such as LSU and Texas A&M.

2025 College Football Recruiting Rankings

The latest CFB recruiting rankings from 247Sports composite as of Monday, Jun. 3.

  1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (264.56)
  2. Ohio State Buckeyes (244.58)
  3. Oklahoma Sooners (224.45)
  4. USC Trojans (221.64)
  5. LSU Tigers (221.01)
  6. Clemson Tigers (217.55)
  7. Texas A&M Aggies (217.46)
  8. Alabama Crimson Tide (199.13)
  9. Penn State Nittany Lions (199.00)
  10. Auburn Tigers (195.54)
  11. Syracuse Orange (194.04)
  12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (191.81)
  13. SMU Mustangs (188.01)
  14. Arizona State Sun Devils (185.43)
  15. Texas Longhorns (185.07)

Contact/Follow us at the Longhorns Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas Longhorns news, notes, and opinions.

Continue the conversation on social media with Patrick. (X and Threads)

LSU football gearing up for crucial recruiting weekend

The Tigers are hosting quite a few blue-chippers this weekend.

LSU is already off to a strong start recruiting in the 2025 cycle, and things could be going even better depending on how this weekend plays out.

The Tigers are playing host to several big-time visitors, including multiple five-star prospects. The headliner is [autotag]DJ Pickett[/autotag], a top-10 recruit and the nation’s top defensive back.

In addition to Pickett, five-star receivers [autotag]Kaliq Lockett[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaime Ffrench[/autotag] will be in town. The latter was previously committed to Alabama but backed off his pledge following Nick Saban’s retirement.

Rounding out the list are five-star cornerback [autotag]Dorian Brew[/autotag], five-star offensive lineman [autotag]Solomon Thomas[/autotag] — the top interior lineman in the nation who is currently committed to Florida State — and four-star defensive lineman [autotag]Zion Williams[/autotag] round out the list.

LSU already has a class that ranks in the top five nationally (fifth per 247Sports and second per On3). But if it can keep its current crop of commits in place and add a few more blue-chippers, it has the chance to be a truly special class.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU makes final 9 for top 150 defensive lineman in 2025 class

LSU made the top nine for a 2025 defensive tackle.

LSU made the cut for 2025 three-star defensive lineman [autotag]Xavier Ukponu[/autotag].

Ukpuno released his top nine, which included LSU along with Arkansas, Oregon, Cal, Texas A&M, Florida, USC, Oklahoma State and Washington.

According to On3, Ukponu is the 69th-best defensive lineman in his class and 140th-rated player in the state of Texas. The On3 Prediction Machine has Texas in the lead, but the Tigers are a close second.

Ukponu would be the first defensive tackle addition to LSU’s 2025 class. It’s a position of need as head coach Brian Kelly and defensive line coach [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] look to rebuild LSU’s interior defensive line.

LSU’s 2025 class is among the best in the country, sitting second in On3’s rankings and third at 247Sports.

Ukponu isn’t the only defensive tackle on LSU’s radar. [autotag]Trajden Odom[/autotag], [autotag]Zion Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Dilan Battle[/autotag] are all set to take official visits next month.

With LSU chasing DTs in the portal, it’s critical to land some high school guys too, creating year-to-year consistency in the room.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU offers 2025 four-star defensive lineman from Lufkin, Texas

LSU’s recruiting staff made a trip to Texas to check out one of the best defensive linemen in the 2025 recruiting class.

LSU’s recruiting staff made a trip to Texas to check out one of the best defensive linemen in the 2025 recruiting class. They’ll have to fight off future SEC foe, Texas, to land him though.

Zion Williams is a 6-foot-4, 295-pound, four-star defensive lineman from Lufkin, Texas where he plays for Lufkin High School. The Lufkin Panthers are off to a 2-0 start in the 2023 season after back-to-back big wins.

There are no Crystal Ball projections for Williams at this time but Texas is a 46% favorite per On3.

Film Analysis: Williams starts at defensive tackle for the Panthers and is a brick wall in the A-gap.

FILM