Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
With the recent commitment of big-time safety Grant Delpit to LSU, we thought it would be interesting to see where he stands among the best safeties to commit to the Tigers in the Rivals.com era. LSU has a reputation as college football's DBU, but that is mainly thanks to some great corners.
Note: former five-star Chad Jones and four-star LaRon Landry were ranked as athletes so they were not included in this list.
The skinny: Loston spent time during his recruitment committed to Texas A&M and Clemson before eventually sticking with LSU. He was a major contributor for the Tigers during his final two seasons, but went undrafted in 2014 and signed with Jacksonville as a free agent. Loston has played in 19 games over the last two seasons with the Jaguars, but has logged just three tackles.
Farrell’s Take: Loston was a smooth, effortless prospect who loved to play physical and would thump you in the run game. He was tall and long with a good frame to build on and he closed with explosion. He could have projected as a tall corner as well although his strength was moving forward and coming downhill in pass and run support. He never lived up to his lofty ranking but still had a solid career.
The skinny: As an early enrollee, Adams took all five of his official visits during his senior season to LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida and Ole Miss, with the Tigers getting the last shot in December. After trimming his list down to LSU, Ole Miss and Florida, Adams committed to the Tigers during the Under Armour All-America Game. Heading into his junior season, Adams has become one of the top returning safeties in the country and has positioned himself as a likely first-round selection in next year's NFL Draft.
Farrell’s Take: Many felt Adams would head to Florida even leading up to his announcement and the Tigers are thrilled they kept him closer to home. Adams was one of the most active safeties you’ll ever see on the field and a pure leader. He was fearless in run support and loves to make receivers pay for coming into his area. Adams also had excellent ball skills. The only thing that held him back from a fifth star was his lack of length but he overcomes that with amazing instincts.
The skinny: After growing up in New Orleans and moving to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, Paris always showed a desire to return to Louisiana to play his college ball. So despite holding 30 offers, Paris did not delay his decision and committed to the Tigers over Florida and Texas 11 months prior to his National Signing Day. After playing in 25 games but getting no starts during his first two seasons at LSU, Paris will be battling Kevin Toliver for the starting cornerback spot opposite Tre’Davious White.
Farrell’s Take: Paris was a huge kid and looked bigger and longer than his 6-foot-1, 200-pound listing. In fact, he looked like he could grow into a linebacker. Paris was able to play cornerback on the high school level but we projected him as a safety who could grow into a hybrid safety/linebacker role if needed. He’s still battling it out at cornerback and hasn’t made an impact yet so this is a big year for him.
The skinny: Francois took official visits to LSU, Arkansas, Tennessee and Florida State. While the Seminoles made a strong late push, Francois committed to the Tigers on National Signing Day. Francois didn’t really hit his stride at LSU until the 2010 season, when he started all 13 games after being moved to linebacker. He then made 10 starts in 2011, but went undrafted in 2012 and never caught on with an NFL team.
Farrell’s Take: Francois was also a big kid so a move to linebacker wasn’t out of the question and it obviously played out in college. He was big, fast and explosive out of high school. Francois never really lived up to his ranking at LSU as he found his footing a bit too late.
The skinny: While Smith committed to LSU almost a year before his National Signing Day, and while rumors occasionally swirled that he may have been looking at other schools, he never seriously wavered on his pledge. Coming in as a mid-year enrollee, Smith impressed during the spring at cornerback after seeing extra playing time due to injuries at the position. While Tre’Davious White, Edward Paris and Kevin Toliver will get the majority of the playing time, Smith has put himself in position to see the field this fall.
Farrell’s Take: Smith started off as a five-star cornerback but really struggled in solo coverage again and again in camp settings and games. He's an aggressive tackler and projects better as a ball hawking safety who just needs to refine his technique but has great upside.
The skinny: Reid was another recruit who did not waste time making his commitment to LSU. The Tigers’ coaching staff immediately made Reid a priority after the offer, so it did not come as a huge surprise when he committed to LSU. Reid was highly productive during his three seasons in Baton Rouge, playing in 39 games and finishing with 199 tackles and six interceptions. Drafted with the 18th overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft by San Francisco, Reid has been extremely steady with the 49ers, while also earning one Pro Bowl invite after his rookie season.
Farrell’s Take: Reid was an exceptional athlete and a big-time sprinter and hurdler in track while on the field he was an active tackler with excellent ball skills. He was avoided much of his senior season which made him a tougher eval but he has clearly outplayed his ranking overall and proven he should have been a five star out of high school. He had good size and loved to play the run, a common theme on this list.
The skinny: After a hectic winter and spring with recruiting, Monroe trimmed his list down to LSU, Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas. While the draw of playing in-state was big for Monroe, he ultimately committed to the Tigers. Monroe underwent left knee surgery for a torn meniscus and left shoulder surgery for a torn labrum during the spring, but seems to be in line to be healthy heading into preseason camp. If he is truly healthy there is a possibility for early playing time as there are depth concerns at the safety position for LSU.
Farrell’s Take: Monroe was a guy who lacked size and looked smaller than the 6-foot, 180 pounds he was listed at so he slid a bit at the end of our rankings. He has natural athleticism and is sudden, which is why he nearly cracked the Rivals100. The one question mark for him at safety is his size. Monroe hopes to overcome that stigma, as Adams did, and have a big career in Baton Rouge.
Farrell's Take: Delpit has a very high ceiling and is a guy I could see stepping up to the competition at IMG Academy and having a great senior season.
Farrell's Take: Lewis is in the same class as Monroe so the jury is out on him, but he has good size and covers well.
Farrell’s Take: Clemons took an extra year to get qualified and made the transition to linebacker at LSU but never panned out.
