re: 2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

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Jaquelin Roy

RESERVE, LA – The Opening Regional in Louisiana wasn’t a roster that was loaded with national names heading into the event, but a lot of national names emerged coming out of the event. Here were the top performers from a really good camp.

Alpha Dog – DT, Jaquelin Roy

Down about 30 pounds from this time last year, Roy looked powerful and dominant at 289 pounds. Currently ranked by 247Sports as the No. 2 player in the state of Louisiana, Roy looked like the No. 1 player at the camp on Sunday. He showed quickness at the snap, lateral agility and the strength to power past offensive linemen when he beats them to a shoulder. Roy earned an invite to The Opening Finals and an invite to the All-American Bowl in San Antonio with his Sunday showing. . . (more)

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THE STORYLINE

LSU currently has the second-best recruiting class in the country behind only Alabama as the Tigers boast 10 commitments, led by five-star corner Elias Ricks from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. The SEC power already has six four-star pledges as the Tigers have had success dipping into Texas and the usual Southeast hotspots for talent.

LSU is hardly struggling on the recruiting trail. But the expectation in Baton Rouge is to compete for conference titles and to get to the College Football Playoff and two recent decommitments hurt.

The Tigers lost pledges from George Co., Miss., recruit McKinnley Jackson, the only five-star defensive tackle in the class so far, and more recently four-star Jaquelin Roy from Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab opened things up again. That’s two of the top-five interior defensive linemen backing off the same school – and that has to hurt.

There is still a long way to go until the early signing period and Jackson and Roy have made it no secret that LSU is still very much involved in their recruitment. This is far from finished, but coach Ed Orgeron had loaded up on the defensive line in this class – until he didn’t.

Can LSU get either of those two outstanding defensive tackles back in the class or is there something to be concerned about when it comes to recruiting that position for the Tigers in recent classes?

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SECOND TAKE: MIKE FARRELL, NATIONAL RECRUITING DIRECTOR

“Defensive tackle has been a bit of a problem for LSU in recent years. Orgeron has a tremendous reputation as a great recruiter, but when he was the d-line coach there they struggled with interior linemen. Now that he’s the head coach, they’re struggling with interior linemen.

“That’s the one position on defense that they’ve struggled the most with in recent years because they can recruit every other position. If a kid wants to commit, you’re going to take it but it also doesn’t mean he’s committed. It just means you lead and you have to work even harder to keep him in the fold. Defensive tackle recruiting at LSU is something we need to keep an eye on.”

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LAKELAND, FL – The Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas stop in Central Florida is in the books. After evaluating the talent on hand in South Florida on Sunday, here are the Cassidy Awards.

PHYSICAL FREAK



Jahquez Robinson (3-star CB), an Alabama commit, is as physically gifted as any defensive in the country, boasting long arms and a college-ready frame. He moves well for his size and comes with the type of versatility that makes college coaches happy. It’s unclear whether or not Robinson will play cornerback or safety at the college level, but his athleticism should translate to either spot. Robinson remains committed to the Tide but will continue to take visits until Signing Day. . .

CAMP AWARD WINNERS

Quarterback MVP -- Garrett Greene
Running Back MVP -- Martranius Mack
Wide Receiver MVP -- Christian Leary
Offensive Line MVP -- Jalen Rivers
Linebacker MVP -- Stephen Dix
Defensive Line MVP -- Chantz Williams
Defensive Back MVP -- Larry Smith

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Visiting Clemson on Saturday for his third visit since last September was three-star offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin of Buford (Ga.) High.

McLaughlin (6-4, 270) visited for the Tigers' junior day with his parents. He also took in the season opener vs. Furman and returned for the N.C. State game in October.

"Definitely the highlight was speaking to coach (Dabo) Swinney," McLaughlin said. "That was really the first time we were able to sit down and talk for a while. We were just learning about each other. I also spent a lot of one-on-one time with coach (Robbie) Caldwell. I could talk to him forever. He loves telling stories."

Clemson is recruiting McLaughlin as an interior lineman and he could project as center or guard in college. The Tigers are among his top five, which also includes Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, and South Carolina.

A decision is expected this spring. "I don't have a set date or anything but I'll probably commit somewhere within the month," McLaughlin said. "I want to be able to focus on my high school team. There's a quote that says, 'Be where your feet are.' The recruiting process has been fun and a blessing, but I'm ready to commit and be down and have a clear head about it."

Alabama received a visit last month, and the Tide will host him again on March 22. Oklahoma hosted him in January. He hasn't visited South Carolina and Michigan this year yet, and returning visits to Ann Arbor or Columbia aren't in the works.

Clemson has seemingly distinguished itself as one of the frontrunners for McLaughlin. "It really is such a great culture at Clemson," McLaughlin. "They've got a great thing going. They win and they have fun while doing it, and that's a good thing."

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SMALLS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL

This was the first time I had an extensive look at five-star weak-side defensive end Sav’ell Smalls and there’s no doubt that he’s one of the best-looking prospects in the 2020 class. Not only does the Seattle (Wash.) Garfield prospect look the part, but he was playing linebacker for Team FSP and he moved so well for someone his size.

I don’t always like to make comparisons, but Smalls is a mix between former Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat and former Kentucky defensive end/linebacker Josh Allen, who should both be taken. high in next month’s NFL Draft. Smalls is bulked up, but he moves so well, can cover down the field and he plays with supreme confidence.

This spring and summer, Smalls plans to hit the road again to take visits - he mentioned Clemson, Alabama, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida and Florida State trips - and then he wants to narrow it down to a top six by late summer. He will then take his five officials and he will have Washington on the list but he doesn’t plan to take an official trip there since it’s close to home.

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RINGO PLANS BIG 12 TRIP

The next visit for five-star cornerback Kelee Ringo will be to Oklahoma and he’s especially excited to sit down and talk more with coach Lincoln Riley and cornerbacks coach Roy Manning. They talk a lot already and that’s one reason why the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro standout wants to get to Norman so badly. “I’m on the phone with them constantly,” Ringo said.

Since his mother works for American Airlines, Ringo has the opportunity to fly for free often and he’s already taken full advantage of that perk, seeing a lot of schools nationally even before official visits. Ringo said he always wants to visit Oregon soon.

There’s no plan to narrow down the list anytime soon and the five-star admitted he probably won’t be ready to make a decision until either the early signing period or an all-star event.

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