LSU lands two local star juniors

With a loaded crop of talent in the state of Louisiana for the class of 2011, the potential is there for a big recruiting year for the LSU Tigers. On Monday, two huge dominos fell, bringing that potential class a step closer to reality.

Jeremy Hill and La'El Collins, two of the state's top prospects out of Baton Rouge (La.) Redemptorist already had offers from around the country. There is five-star buzz throughout the state for the class of 2011 and Hill and Collins are right in the thick of it. After speaking with assistant coaches on Friday, Collins and Hill both committed to head coach Les Miles on Monday evening, making them the first public commitments for the Tigers for the class of 2011.

"Jeremy and I decided to go ahead and commit," Collins said. "Everything has just been so great at LSU, being around the coaches, being around the staff, the great recruiters, being with the team. With the LSU Tigers I feel like I can go in and play and have a great opportunity."

Collins, one of the top offensive linemen in the country has paved the way for Hill, his running back in high school, and is looking forward to continuing that at the college level.

"Just having Jeremy on my side going to war with me, that's just a great thing," he said.

Hill echoed his teammate and friend's sentiments in explaining his decision to pick LSU.

"I really love the coaches, the atmosphere, the fans, the facilities, just everything," said the bruising tailback. "They are so far ahead of the other schools, it's just final now."

Though Hill and Collins had initially targeted a decision in the spring of 2010, the hometown allure proved to be too great.

"Just to see their program, the way they are building up, the young team coming up, the staff, just for us to see everything right here in Baton Rouge, it feels like home," Collins said. "We are right there, we can go anytime we want, see the coaches and players anytime we want. We just love it."

On the same day of the commitments, Collins received offers from prestigious programs like Ohio State, Stanford, Nebraska and South Florida. While the recruiting attention for both prospects likely won't cease, the decision for Collins likely won't change.

"My approach to other schools is that I am going to take in what they have to offer, but I know what I want and where I want to be." Collins said.

This season, Collins and Hill have led their Redemptorist team to a 4-0 start as they attempt to make a run at a Class 3A state championship.