Breaking down Terrace Marshall's commitment to LSU

MORE: LSU's 2018 commitment list

LSU fans has to wait until nearly the end of the early signing period but the Tigers landed one of their biggest targets, regardless of position, when five-star wide receiver Terrace Marshall, Jr. committed on Friday. The commitment puts an end to a national recruitment for Marshall, who took official visits to Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M as well as LSU. The Tigers always seemed like the favorite to land Marshall, but if it weren’t for a strong close to the season and some coaching changes at other stops, it’s possible things might have gone differently. Either way, all is well that ends well for LSU and Marshall is officially a Tiger.

Receivers with Marshall’s size, speed and skill don’t come along very often and it was an added bonus that he was an in-state recruit. The Tigers staff did a good job of targeting Marshall early in the process and maintaining contact despite turnover on the coaching staff and the new offensive identity displayed this fall helped convince Marshall that Baton Rouge was the place for him. The big-play wide receiver immediately adds a new weapon to the Tigers' offense and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make an impact early in his career.

Both Texas and Texas A&M made strong efforts for Marshall, with the Aggies serving as a legit contender until the very end. Had Jimbo Fisher been in place in College Station for longer and had a full staff in place, perhaps things would have gone differently for the Aggies. Luckily for both schools it’s a loaded year for wide receiver talent in the state of Texas in 2018 and there are also several elite prospects in the 2019 class from the Lone Star State. It will be tough for Texas A&M to face Marshall once a year in SEC play but all the school’s eggs weren’t in the Marshall basket.