LSU has Quietly put together a Strong Base for 2018 Recruiting Class
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
LSU turned in another stellar recruiting class in February locking in top players from within the Sportsman’s Paradise like running back/linebacker Devin White (Springhill) and wide receiver Stephen Sullivan (Donaldsonville). The Tigers also reached into Florida pulling defensive back Saivion Smith and wide receiver Drake Davis while pulling highly regarded defensive back Eric Monroe out of Texas (Houston), just to name a few. The 2017 class is off to a solid start with 5-star defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin (Lafayette) and athlete Patrick Queen (Livonia) but the 2018 class has a little momentum of its own building without much national attention.
The Tigers have four verbal commits to the 2017 class with a long way to go until National Signing Day. Add another year and a half of uncertainty and there is no telling how LSU’s current group of sophomores will come together as a whole in the recruiting rankings. But what is known, is the class is already a solid bunch highlighted by a couple of 4-star defensive backs.
Corione Harris and Kelvin Joseph have an opportunity to help keep the “DBU”, Defensive Back University, moniker going for years to come. Regardless of classification or age, Joseph is a physical presence on the field listed at 6’1”, 185 pounds. Joseph helped the Hornets to a 10-2 record in 2015 coming up with 55 tackles and two picks. Harris is quick and instinctive with a nose for the ball coming up with at least four picks last season. He does another thing really well most young corners do not like to do – he likes to hit and gets after it coming up to stop the run.
Harris should get a lot of experience in practice alone going up against 4-star teammate Devonta Jason. LSU has been on Jason since last summer offering him in July. After hosting the New Orleans talent on a few unofficial visits during the 2015 season, the Tigers landed the big wide receiver on Nov. 4. Jason is a touchdown catching machine with great concentration on 50-50 balls especially in traffic. He can take a simple screen to the house and is too big and strong for defensive backs on a fade route in the corner of the end zone.
Dinkelmann has been on the national radar since his eighth grade year when he committed to LSU. Listed as a 3-star, Dinkelmann had an outstanding freshman season playing against his peer group but missed the 2015 season due to a stress fracture in his ankle. Dinkelmann has been cleared to play and should be a big piece to Somerset High School’s 2016 season. The Bulldogs went 10-2 in 2015 making a two-game run into the UIL playoffs before falling 21-14 to Edcouch-Elsa (Edcouch, TX) without him.
There is a lot of time between the 2016 offseason and February 2018 for players to change their minds or coaches to swap spots on various staffs effecting recruiting decisions. If all things hold true for LSU, they have another quarterback of the future, a top wide receiver, and two very talented defensive backs to help build the foundation of another great Tigers recruiting class.
LSU Tigers 2018 Verbal Commitment List
CB Corione Harris, 6-1, 170, Landry-Walker HS, New Orleans, LA
CB Kelvin Joseph, 6-1, 185, Scotlandville Magnet, Baton Rouge, LA
QB Zadock Dinkelmann, 6-4, 213, Somerset HS, Somerset, TX
WR Devonta Jason, 6-3, 187, Landry-Walker HS, New Orleans, LA
Photo credit: nola.com; No. 3 Devonta Jackson hauls in another pass.