The NCAA may have shut down recruiting visits but that was never going to stop the recruiting wars in the SEC.

The latest SEC recruiting battle has been won by LSU as North Dakota State graduate transfer linebacker Jabril Cox has committed to the Tigers over Alabama and Tennessee on Thursday. Cox was a two-time All-American at North Dakota State, conference defender of the year and freshman of the year during his time in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Cox is eligible immediately for the Tigers in 2020 after earning his undergraduate degree at NDSU. During his time at the NDSU, the program won three national championships. The junior registered 92 tackles and had 9.5 tackles for loss last season.

One thing that may have pushed LSU over the top in this recruitment was the fact new Tiger defensive coordinator Bo Pelini competed against Cox in the Missouri Valley Conference. Before joining LSU this offseason, Pelini was Youngstown State’s head coach.

LSU’s newest defender was viewed by many as an NFL prospect at the FCS level and now he’ll have the opportunity to prove himself at college football’s highest level by joining Ed Orgeron’s program for one season before making his jump to the NFL.

To get an idea of what Cox could bring to LSU’s defense, which is in need of a playmaker at linebacker following some early departures to the 2020 NFL Draft, check out his NDSU highlight video.