LSU has immediate problems to worry about, with a new defensive coordinator trying to keep the ship steered in the right direction and a quarterback battle that could prove to be as frustrating as last year’s.

The coaching staff has more distant issues on its plate, too, like filling out the 2016 recruiting. LSU is already off to a good start, with two five-stars and the nation’s top dual-threat quarterback already committed. What needs will the Tigers focus on as they hit the recruiting trail?

Defensive tackle

Losing after 2015: Quentin Thomas

LSU already has five-star Edwin Alexander in the fold, but Ed Orgeron will be looking for even more dpeth at the position. After Christian LaCouture and Davon Godchaux, there’s little proven talent currently on the roster, and veteran Quentin Thomas is entering his final year of eligibility while LaCouture could explore draft possibilities.

This season, LSU will be counting on the development of a group of redshirt sophomores that didn’t get themselves up to speed last year to provide depth.

There are several blue chip DTs in Louisiana for the Tigers to go after, as well as a handful of prospects that have shown interest from around the country. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Tigers try to sign as many as four DTs for 2016.

Linebacker

Losing after 2015: Deion Jones, Lamar Louis

Thanks to coming up empty on linebackers in 2015, LSU has a pressing need at the position for next year, with only seven scholarship players on the 2015 team. New defensive coordinator Kevin Steele likes to use outside linebackers to generate pressure, something he did at Alabama, and LSU will likely target a few players who can generate pressure off the edge.

The Tigers could also use help in the middle in case as a contingency plan to replace Beckwith. As a sophomore, he exploded onto the scene and has all the skills to enter the draft early if he continues to improve in his first full year as a starter. Clifton Garrett is next in line as his successor, but there’s no clear-cut middle linebacker on scholarship after them.

Safety

Losing after 2015: Jalen Mills

LSU got Mills back for his senior season, sparing the Tigers from having the replace the entire back line. While Jamal Adams is a star in the making and Rickey Jefferson has shown he’s capable of playing at a high level, the Tigers will need to bolster their ranks after taking just one safety, a junior college transfer, in 2015.

The Tigers have already gotten visits from the three highest-rated safeties in the nation and are among the frontrunners to land all three. LSU has already gotten a commitment from two safeties for this class, but locking in one of the elite players at the position will be a priority for DBU.

Quartertback

Losing after 2015: No one

LSU takes a quarterback just about every year, and 2016 will be no different. The Tigers desperately need a passer to pull together a talented group of skill position players, and as of yet neither Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings has proven capable of doing that.

Will Feleipe Franks be that guy?

The Tigers certainly hope so after Shea Patterson opted to commit to Ole Miss, but LSU’s quarterback shopping may not come to an end with just Franks.

Current recruiting class

As of this writing, LSU has nine players committed for 2016 with a class that ranks No. 5 in the 247sports industry composite.

  • CB Saivion Smith, five-star
  • DT Edwin Alexander, five-star
  • QB Feleipe Franks, four-star
  • WR Dee Anderson, four-star
  • WR Stephen Sullivan, four-star
  • G Donavaughn Campell, four-star
  • TE Jamal Pettigrew, four-star
  • S Cameron Lewis, four-star
  • S Clifford Chattman, three-star

LSU filling needs

The Tigers are well on their way to successfully filling their major holes and some more minor ones. Donavaughn Campbell is a good start to continue to restock the offensive line, while the two receivers in the class will bolster an already strong group.

While the Tigers don’t have any linebacker commits yet, there are several four- and five-star players that have shown significant interest in the team, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see LSU wind up with a couple of blue chippers at the position. The Tigers have offers out to 24 total linebackers, according to 247sports, with several elite prospects showing high interest.

Outlook

Les Miles has recruited exceedingly well in his decade in Baton Rouge, and 2016 is shaping up to be no different. LSU is good for a five-star or two every year, and they already have two in the fold with several more interested. LSU should hang around the top 10 in the recruiting rankings all the way through this cycle if they hold onto and build on the players already committed, the former of which has not been a problem for LSU in recent years.