re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition

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Javier Morton

Morton is a 4-Star CB out of Stone Mountain, Georgia. He stands at 6-feet-1-inches and weighs 175 pounds. He has great ball judgement skills and a slender frame that enables him to leap into the air and fight for these 50/50 balls. He is not extremely fast, but has the potential to make an impact in a zone coverage defense, which is what he currently plays in most of the time. The Georgia-native will continue to improve as he is only a sophomore. He gave Alabama a verbal commitment on Dec. 1.

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Defensive tackle was a major emphasis for LSU in the 2018 recruiting class. That’s why coach Ed Orgeron adds about 700 pounds of Texas beef to the middle of his defensive line in the forms of Dominic Livingston (6-foot-3, 350 pounds) and Chasen Hines (6-3, 335).

The Tigers’ top nose tackle, Ed Alexander, is draft-eligible after this season, so Orgeron will look to add one or two more to supplement their depth in the middle in 2019.

Joseph Evans, a 3-star tackle from Haynesville (La.) High School, is already on board. He isn’t a prototypical interior tackle and could eventually grow into a 5-technique depending on how much he grows between now and when he enrolls next summer. He’s also an early building block in the 2019 class with much of the focus on the top two tackles in the entire country.

Ishmael Sopsher, a 5-star tackle from Amite (La.) High, and Faatui Tuitele, a 5-star from St. Louis (Hawaii) High, are the top two at their position in the class. It’s no coincidence they sit in those positions on LSU’s board, too. Because Sopsher hails from 45 minutes out of Baton Rouge and has been a routine visitor over the past two years, he is clearly the top priority at tackle on the board and among the top overall needs in this recruiting class.

Sopsher has already been to campus for the elite junior day function in February and then the start of spring football practice earlier this month. He’s a prospect that has prioritized his family. He has an older brother, Rodney, who attends a nearby community college and aims to play close to his home in Tangipahoa Parish. That gives LSU a very unique edge.

It’s also worth noting that, so far, Sopsher has not made his way to other campuses for visits. That will very likely change in the next few weeks.

Tuitele, on the other hand, made a one-day unofficial stop at LSU early on for spring practice. He has connections to the program — Breiden Fehoko, LSU’s starting defensive end, hails from Hawaii. Dave Aranda, the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, once held that same position at Hawaii. Those are two prominent figures binding Tuitele to LSU.

Having said that, it’s hard not to overlook Sopsher’s connections to LSU and the unique advantage the Tigers are in with an in-state prospect. Orgeron has been courting Sopsher for years and was once his area recruiter. Dennis Johnson, the team’s ace young defensive line coach, has spearheaded efforts dating back to the spring and is making a serious impression on him. And, of course, you cannot ignore the proximity factor.

Expect some other schools to gain momentum with Sopsher in the next few months. Alabama, Clemson and even Texas are sure to assert themselves into the mix. Still, I like the Tigers’ chances.

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This kid sure does enjoy his visits.

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This kid sure does enjoy his visits

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