re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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LSU's top uncommitted targets

- Terrace Marshall Jr., 5-star WR (Bossier City, La.): A new-look top 5 hasn’t hurt LSU’s chances with the nation’s top wide receiver. LSU, Texas A&M and Texas kept their spots, while Alabama and Florida State joined the fray. Marshall made a second unofficial visit to LSU in as many months before the dead period in July and again brought his entire family. Marshall is high on his relationship with the LSU coaching staff but said it will come down to how the Tigers’ offense looks. LSU is sure to get one of his five official visits. A decision will come on Dec. 22.

- Patrick Surtain Jr., 5-star CB (Plantation, Fla.): The nation’s No. 1 cornerback released a final 6 of LSU, Florida State, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Florida. Surtain’s most recent visit to LSU with his parents came in July. They toured the campus and got an up-close look at the academic offerings. Surtain also spent quality time with LSU players, most notably Donte Jackson and Kevin Toliver II. Surtain has named LSU as his leading school, but a commitment won’t come until later in the fall or closer to National Signing Day in February. He is the top defensive target on LSU’s board.

- Anthony Cook, 5-star CB (Houston): LSU holds commitments from only two defensive backs in the 2018 class and is pushing hard for Surtain to be the final piece. But that has not stopped defensive backs coach Corey Raymond from dialing up the pressure on Cook. Cook was high on LSU after making a visit for the Tigers’ spring game, and he has been in touch with LSU every day since. Cook included LSU in his final 3 along with Ohio State and Texas. Cook will make an official visit to Baton Rouge on Oct. 14 before an Oct. 30 commitment date.

- Harold Joiner, 4-star RB (Birmingham, Ala.): After jumping out to an early lead and then being excluded from Joiner’s top 6, LSU again finds itself in a strong position to land his commitment. The 4-star tailback cooled on the Tigers after they procured commitments from three running backs at the end of June, but Tommie Robinson has worked hard to repair the relationship and put LSU in a strong position to add Joiner this fall. Joiner will officially visit LSU on Oct. 14 and UCLA the following week. Alabama has made a stronger push for the in-state tailback after missing on Asa Martin. Nonetheless, LSU remains the favorite.

- Justin Rogers, 4-star QB (Bossier City, La.): Louisiana’s No. 1 quarterback committed to TCU on May 31, but that has not deterred LSU coaches from continuing the press for Rogers. While Rogers is entrenched with the Horned Frogs, he is keeping an open mind toward the Tigers and their new-look offense. Rogers is an early enrollee, so if LSU gets back in the race, it would need to impress the dual-threat prospect quickly. LSU is unlikely to take a quarterback in its 2018 class that isn’t named Justin Rogers.

- Luke Ford, 4-star TE (Carterville, Ill.): Ford made a visit to Baton Rouge on the final day of the team’s elite high school camp in June. While Ford has named Alabama as his leading school, he indicated LSU was bunched into that second group he is considering. Ford left his LSU visit impressed with the atmosphere and the coaching staff. LSU is likely behind schools such as Alabama and Georgia in the race for Ford.

- Ja’Marr Chase, 4-star WR (New Orleans): Chase made a surprising decision to commit to Florida after attending Friday Night Lights in July, but LSU has refused to turn down its efforts for the in-state wide receiver. Chase made his way to Baton Rouge for the home opener against Chattanooga. There is confidence on the LSU side that it can get Chase in this class, though the 4-star prospect seems to be leaning toward his out-of-state options.

- Michael Thompson, 4-star DL (St. Louis): Thompson included LSU in his final 5 schools after making a visit to campus for junior day in the spring. Thompson and his mother received the red-carpet treatment from coach Ed Orgeron, which made a strong impression on the blue-chip defensive tackle. Thompson is beginning to make more visits with fall now here, and an official visit to LSU should be in the cards this season. Missouri is considered the favorite to land the in-state prospect, but LSU may be the top option if he chooses to head out of state.

- Devonta Jason, 4-star WR (New Orleans): Jason has been committed to Kansas since February, but a final decision won’t come until December before he graduates and enrolls early at the university of his choosing. The elite in-state receiver recently visited LSU and enjoyed a sit-down meeting with Orgeron and wide receivers coach Mickey Joseph. LSU has been working hard behind the scenes to get Jason back on campus and will likely host him for a number of games this fall. If the Tigers’ offense impresses, they stand in a strong position.

- Lawrence Keys III, 4-star WR (New Orleans): Keys has named LSU as his leading school and could be close to making a decision. He made an unofficial visit to Baton Rouge in the week leading up to the August dead period and received a better blueprint how he would fit into the LSU offense. Next up for Keys is getting onto campus along with his mother, who is playing an integral role in helping her son make an informed decision. Don’t be surprised if Keys pops to LSU after making an official visit in the fall.

- Badara Traore, 4-star OL (JUCO): The No. 1 junior college offensive tackle remains a priority for offensive line coach Jeff Grimes and the Tigers’ coaching staff as they look to fortify the offensive line once K.J. Malone graduates after the 2017 season. Traore has made one official visit — to Auburn — but a stop in Baton Rouge is expected. Grimes has forged a good relationship with Traore, who could be in line for immediate playing time if he chooses LSU. He is early in the recruiting process, so things are open at this point.

- Glenn Beal, 3-star TE (New Orleans): Beal nearly popped to LSU on several occasions dating back to last summer when he picked up his offer. As his recruitment has taken off, he has relied on patience while going through the process. Beal recently made an unofficial visit to LSU and will make an official stop there on Feb. 2. The priority tight end target is high on the new-look offense and the Tigers have put themselves in a strong position to keep the 6-foot-5, 260-pounder in-state.

- Andres Fox, 3-star EDGE (Mobile, Ala.): LSU cracked Fox’s top 4 schools in July before he conceded that Auburn and Alabama were a notch above the Tigers. Fox made visits to Auburn and Alabama in July and also squeezed in stops to Stanford and LSU. But he opted to delay announcing his commitment, which originally was scheduled for before his senior season. Fox has a private leader and it could very well be LSU. Fox could commit early in the fall or elect to let things play out. He is one of the final front-seven pieces that LSU is looking to add.

- Joseph Foucha, 3-star DB (New Orleans): Foucha garnered his offer from LSU during the elite high school camp in June and has returned twice for unofficial visits, including before the NCAA’s dead period. Once considered an Auburn lean, Foucha included LSU in his final 7 before his senior season. Foucha is high on LSU, Auburn, Alabama and Florida State, but with a National Signing Day decision looming, it may come down to which school reserves a spot for the versatile defensive back.

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With Kodi Burns watching, Seth Williams shines

As reported Thursday, Auburn wide receivers coach Kodi Burns hit the road Thursday night to watch 4-star target Seth Williams play.

Williams, from Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa, Ala., has become Auburn’s top remaining wide receiver target, perhaps overtaking a spot once held by 5-star receiver Justyn Ross. They’re both big-body players, but Williams brings the rare combination of massive size and track speed with an innate ability to catch everything within arm’s length.

On Thursday night, with Burns in attendance, Williams flaunted that more than ever.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound wide receiver — who also has state championships in basketball and track and field — put on a show. He caught 4 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. His touchdowns receptions? They were of 87 yards and 81 yards.

“It felt great helping the team out and contributing on the scoreboard and winning the game. The team knows if I get the ball, I’m going to make a play,” Williams told AL.com. “Every time I get the ball, I’m thinking about the end zone.”

As for recruiting, Auburn appears to be in the driver’s seat for Williams, though some of that is dependent on Alabama misses at the position for the rest of the class. Williams is the first uncommitted wide receiver Burns has been on the recruiting trail to see this fall, which is telling of Auburn’s interest level in the big, fast receiver.

The next move will be to get Williams on campus for a game. Could it be when the Tigers play Mississippi State or Ole Miss? Check back later Friday for the full list of attendees for Auburn’s game against Mississippi State (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN).

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Nicholas Petit-Frere

The players: Florida, Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Auburn

The situation: Petit-Frere seems to have serious interest in a number of schools and is as soft spoken as high-profile prospects come. Florida is thought to hold a slight edge, but nobody actually knows for sure.

What’s so intriguing?: Petit-Frere says next to nothing. He does few interviews. When he does talk to the media, he does so with coaching supervision. He speaks like a media-trained NFL veteran and avoids tipping his hand about pretty much anything. If he has a destination in mind, he’s skilled at cloaking it.

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Our visitors list is simply amazing for this game,even though most is for future years.

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