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Commitment analysis: LSU nets commitment from Rivals250 DT Jalen Lee

THE SITUATION

After visits all across the SEC, Jalen Lee found himself with an arduous decision.

Trips to Georgia, Florida, Ole Miss and Alabama helped the Rivals250 defensive tackle that home is where the heat is. On Tuesday night, Lee silently committed to LSU and went public with that pledge on Wednesday.

Lee recently cracked the Rivals250 and is the No. 15-ranked defensive tackle in America. He's also a top-10 prospect in The Boot after piling up double-digit offers after a breakout junior campaign at Live Oak (La.) High School.

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WHY IT'S BIG FOR LSU

LSU found its ideal nose tackle in Lee, a 6-foot-4, 293-pounder that already plays the 0-technique for Live Oak (La.) High School. The new addition to the Rivals250 is explosive off the ball and has an unreal motor for a lineman of his size.

Lee is a mismatch in 1-on-1 situations. He’s got exceptional strength while also the ability to move laterally with ease. He’s a true nose tackle, a position where the Tigers need to add depth at. Lee makes a habit of disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage, altering the quarterback in the pocket and the running back’s path, and at times tends to be a one-man wrecking crew.

The four-star possesses fantastic closing speed and his quickness is his best attribute. He’s an ace in the run game that should allow other quality defensive linemen and linebackers to make even more plays around him at the next level.

Overall, Lee is the third-ranked defensive tackle in Louisiana and a top-10 prospect in-state, and another huge get for Coach Ed Orgeron in the 2020 cycle, especially as it looks to keep the best prospects in-state. LSU won’t throw in the towel on fellow Louisiana four-stars Jaquelin Roy or Jacobian Guillory, but adding Lee is a huge step toward fortifying the nose tackle position and an elite defensive line haul this cycle.

WHY IT HURTS ALABAMA, GEORGIA, FLORIDA

For a time in his recruitment, Lee gravitated toward Alabama. That's a testament to Louisiana area recruiter Pete Golding, who was able to get the four-star lineman to Tuscaloosa early and often throughout the spring and summer. The Tide always makes a splash or two in Louisiana, but will have to shift its focus elsewhere for 2020. Georgia prioritized Lee and gave him plenty to think about in regards to his recruitment. Cortez Hankton and Tray Scott sold Lee on being a big-time piece of a championship team. Florida might have been the No. 2 team in this race. He made multiple trips out to the Swamp and the Gators were the first SEC team to offer Lee. However, it wasn't long before the rest of the SEC powers, including LSU, caught up.

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