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

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The Latest: After moving to the United States from Nigeria, Class of 2019 four-star defensive end Ani Izuchukwu spent the first two years of his high school career learning the game of football. And while he's still picking up the nuances of the game, his raw physical ability has already made him a top target of several of college football's top programs. After a busy summer of camps and visits Izuchukwu is ready to focus on three programs, Alabama, Ohio State and South Carolina, as he heads into an important stretch of visits and perhaps gets ready to announce a commitment. Rivals.com caught up with Izuchukwu to break down his favorites.

In His Words: "I had a good time during the summer going on visits and getting a chance to meet a lot of the coaches and work with them on the field. Now I want to see what it's like for a game day and start to think about making my decision."

Ohio State: "I have the best relationship with their coaches. I talk to them the most and they make sure I get to know all the coaches there. My friend Max Wray is going there and they are good at helping players get drafted high. They have good academics and great facilities. When I was there for their camp in the summer they really showed me that they have a plan for me to keep developing and they think I can be a big-time player in their defense. I'm going to visit their Oct. 28 when they play Penn State."

Alabama: "I love Coach Tosh, he's a great guy and a great coach who has helped make a lot of players better. They are good at preparing guys for the NFL and life after football. They have compared me to some other guys they have had in the past who have made it to the NFL and that would be a dream come true for me to make it to that level. I have been there many times for visits but I want to get back again so I'm going for the Arkansas game on Oct. 14. They have great fan support and tradition and I can't wait to see it again."

South Carolina: "I liked the coaches this summer when I went to camp there, I got to work with them on the field and really get a feel for what they would be like to play for and that was a good experiences. I spent a lot of time with the coaches and I really like them. Coach Muschamp is obviously a great defensive coach and their team has a lot of good defensive linemen that they have helped developed. Their defensive coaches have done a good job of getting guys to the NFL and that is my goal. I'm going to visit there Oct. 7 when they play Arkansas."

On a decision: "These are the three schools I'm focused on right now so I want to take these visits and see how it goes. I could see myself deciding by the end of the year."

Rivals Reaction: Izuchukwu has a unique story and he is just scratching the surface in terms of his potential as a football player. It will take the right program and coaches to help him blossom, so it's not a surprise to see him taking a closer look at his favorites. Depending on how these visits go could say a lot about where he ends up making his commitment.

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The LSU coaching staff has been visible across the state in recent weeks. It has been a recruiting staple ever since Ed Orgeron took over the Tigers’ head coach.

With LSU set to host Syracuse for a Saturday night game, yet again several assistant coaches will be out on the road hitting the recruiting trail.

Steve Ensminger and Mickey Joseph will return to Northern Louisiana to see a bevy of Shreveport, La.,-area prospects in the Parkway vs. Evangel tilt. LSU holds commitments from a trio of Evangel players, including 4-star defensive lineman Davin Cotton, 3-star linebacker Micah Baskerville and 3-star defensive back Ar’Darius Washington. Cotton is out for the remainder of his senior season with an undisclosed leg injury, so this will provide Ensminger an opportunity to check on the state’s top-ranked defensive lineman. All three are firm in their commitments to LSU.

Of course, Parkway is host to LSU’s top offensive targets in the 2018 recruiting class: 5-star wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. and 4-star quarterback Justin Rogers. Both Marshall and Rogers are going to be on the sidelines for this rivalry game. Marshall broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle two weeks ago and Rogers recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL on Sept. 11. Joseph will do his part to check in on Marshall, the state’s top-ranked prospect. Ensminger can do the same on Rogers, a TCU commit who remains atop of LSU’s list at quarterback for this class.

Both are early enrollees and will sign their letters of intent in December.

Dennis Johnson will stay close to Baton Rouge and visit 3-star defensive line commit Nelson Jenkins for Plaquemine’s home game against West St. John. Jenkins was one of the Tigers’ earlier commitments in the Class of 2018 and flipped from Kansas to LSU in the days leading up to “Boys From The Boot.” Despite sitting out the spring with an injury, Jenkins has added offers from the likes of Alabama and Florida, while Texas and TCU are continuing to monitor him. Nonetheless, he has remained solid to LSU.

Corey Raymond will take in Scotlandville’s game against Central of Baton Rouge and check on LSU’s highest-rated commit Kelvin Joseph for his homecoming game. The Army All-American defensive back has reaffirmed his commitment to LSU in recent months after teammate and best friend JaVonte Smart committed to the Tigers’ basketball team. Last week, Joseph received a visit from Alabama area recruiter Burton Burns as his team faced Southern Lab. Joseph is still going to take all of his official visits, but interestingly enough, he will attend Alabama and Florida road games when they play LSU. The 4-star defensive back will also make his way to Florida State and Kansas, as well as LSU.

Jeff Grimes will return to the Lone Star State as he checks in on prized Class of 2019 offensive line commit Kenyon Green. The 5-star offensive tackle is the No. 2 prospect in his recruiting class and is one of the most sought-after linemen overall. He committed to LSU early on and has since seen his recruitment take off. However, Green remains solid in his pledge although he is checking out rival programs such as Alabama, Texas and Texas A&M. The 5-star prospect is expected to make his way back to Baton Rouge for the Auburn game.

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