Five important underclassmen targets for new LSU coach Orgeron
Thanks to extended time as interim head coach, Ed Orgeron has already laid the groundwork with several top prospects in 2018. But like most years, the Tigers will be working to keep other schools from invading their backyard. We take a look at the five most important underclassman prospects for Orgeron and his staff in Baton Rouge.
MORE LSU COVERAGE: Orgeron earned the job | Press conference at 1 p.m. ET
The contenders: LSU, Mississippi State, TCU
Why he matters: Part of Orgeron’s pitch to get the permanent job in Baton Rouge was to bring in an exciting offensive coordinator, one that will likely run an up-tempo offense. Rogers, one of the nation’s best dual-threat quarterbacks, just so happens to be an in-state talent and one that LSU has already offered. After nearly jumping on his offer over the summer, Rogers has stayed patient while the coaching situation played out. Now with an offensive coordinator that suits Rogers' skillset likely coming, the Tigers need to turn up the heat and reel him in.
The contenders: LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, Mississippi State and more.
Why he matters: Marshall is teammates with Rogers and is one of the nation’s top young pass-catchers. Because of his elite size and playmaking ability, schools from coast-to-coast have been lining up to try to get Marshall’s attention. He and Rogers have made several recruiting trips together and will likely end up at the same school. Will it be with the Tigers or can another school lure him away? Something tells me Marshall won’t be as easy to convince to jump on board early but the Tigers will still be the favorite to land him in the long run.
The contenders: LSU, Texas A&M, Mississippi State
Why he matters: Despite the ongoing battle with Florida, LSU views itself as “DB-U” and with good reason. The school churns out All-Americans and NFL draft picks on a regular basis and a lot of that has to do with talent evaluation. The staff jumped on Harris early, nabbing a commitment from him earlier this year, before he re-opened his commitment back up during the summer. Despite a few visits this fall his recruitment has been rather quiet, but a player of his size and ability at the cornerback position won’t be one that the former defensive coordinator Orgeron will want to let slip out of state.
The contenders: LSU, Alabama
Why he matters: Rosenthal has already had as many twists and turns in his recruitment as some of the most prolific prospects in the 2017 class. He has already committed and decommitted from Alabama, and moved to Florida to attend IMG Academy before returning back to Louisiana. Rosenthal has kept a low profile since but make no mistake, he’s still one of the top offensive line targets for both the Tigers and the Tide. Offensive line play will be key as part of any new offensive system that comes to Baton Rouge and the versatile Rosenthal will be a fit in whatever system is implemented.
The contenders: LSU, Alabama, Miami, Mississippi State.
Why he matters: Jason is another prospect who has already been committed to the Tigers but elected to open things open during the summer at the same time as his friend and teammate Harris. While he’s not as flashy as Marshall, Jason is just as effective while using his size and strength to punish smaller defensive backs. The potential of having him and Marshall as a duo on the outside for years to come is something that Tigers fans dream of and it will be up to Orgeron and his staff to make that dream a reality.
