Assessing LSU's recruiting class

It’s been back and forth and with just a couple of days remaining until National Signing Day it’s still too close to call.

But the consensus is that LSU enters the final week with the No. 1 ranking of the 2016 recruiting class. It’s a slim lead over Ohio State and the two programs have jockeyed for position at the top of the heap heading into the homestretch.

It’s a class that is shaping up to be potentially historic in nature. No LSU signing class has ever been ranked No. 1 by at least three of the four major recruiting outlets. Three of the four currently have LSU ranked No. 1, ahead of Ohio State. Only rivals.com has it the other way around.

The last time LSU was ranked No. 1 in recruiting was the 2009 class, which was rated the nation’s best by both 247Sports and ESPN. The Tigers also took the top spot in 2003 as ranked by Rivals.com. LSU has been ranked second eight times over the last 13 years.

This year’s success is a testament to head coach Les Miles, who was nearly fired at the end of the 2015 season, and his relationship with the players in the program to be able to pull in the nation’s top overall talent. Ten of the 22 commits are ranked in the top 10 nationally at their respective positions.

Not surprising that a program which has relied heavily on its defense would lean that way in its most recent recruiting class. Five-star DT Rashard Lawrence (6-3, 305) leads the way. Both Edwin Alexander (6-2, 310) and Glen Logan (6-4, 290) will also provide quality along the defensive front.

It’s a nice compliment to the talent LSU is bringing in that is expected to roam the secondary for years to come. Four-star CB Saivion Smith has already enrolled while four-star S Eric Monroe is expected to follow suit and become a leader as well. The Tigers look to be adding only two linebackers. Both are four-stars. Michael Divinity (6-2, 218) has already enrolled and Erick Fowler (6-1, 226) is a hard commit.

Miles is also reloading his skilled players with four wide receivers, three of which are four-star recruits, and a four-star running back but only has commitments from three offensive linemen, two of which are four-stars, and one four-star tight end, staples in the Tigers’ vaunted running game.

After whiffing on four-star QB Feleipe Franks (Florida), Miles is without a quarterback in the 2016 class. But the Tigers are still looking to land three-star dual threat QB Lindsey Scott (5-11, 205).

ASSESSING LSU’S 2015 CLASS

Current commits or enrollees: 22 (avg. star 4.0)

Remaining primary targets: DT Rashan Gary, ILB Ben Davis, OLB Lyndell Wilson, CB Kristian Fulton, S Brandon Jones, WR Nate Craig-Myers.

National/SEC rank: 1/1

NOTABLE COMMITS