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HARVEY, La. — One of the primary reasons why LSU tabbed Ed Orgeron as head coach was his ability to recruit, and more specifically, ensure that the top talent in Louisiana stays in Louisiana. LSU has improved in that category each year under Orgeron. The Tigers’ 2019 class featured eight of the top-10 prospects from Louisiana.
At Sunday’s Rivals 3 Stripe Camp presented by adidas in New Orleans, we asked some of top recruits their thoughts on LSU, the Tigers’ rise in the SEC and the other programs making a push in The Boot.
Which program outside of LSU recruits Louisiana the best?
Sedrick Van Pran: “Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia really do a great job coming in Louisiana and recruiting guys.”
Shamar Smith: “A lot of SEC schools come in here and do well. Alabama, Georgia, A&M and some others. Also, Oklahoma and TCU do, too.”
Joel Williams: “Tennessee and Texas A&M are doing really well right now. There are a lot of SEC schools doing a good job.”
Tariq Jones: “Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss are the ones to me.”
Jamie Vance: “Probably coach (Jabbar) Juluke at Louisiana-Lafayette. Juluke has a lot of connections with everyone down here in New Orleans.”
Jaquelin Roy: “Probably coach (Mike) Elko and Texas A&M. They treat me like family every time I come down. He’s real with me and tells me how it is.”
CamRon Jackson: “Coach Brian Baker at Mississippi State. They treat me like family and they talk to me about academics, keeping my grades up and how to be a better person.”
Donovan Johnson: “Coach Frank (Wilson) at UTSA. He recruited Kelin (Burrle) and that’s why Kelin committed over there.”
Major Burns: “Coach (Bradley Dale) Peveto. Coach Pev is an honest guy who shows a lot of love and has great character.”
Ashaad Clayton: “Kansas. Coach Les Miles talks to me every chance he can. Also, coach Peveto from Texas A&M. Those two are gonna talk to me every chance they get.”
What is the key for LSU to overtake Alabama in the SEC West?
Van Pran: “The offense has to get better. They really need top offensive and defensive linemen there to get to the top.”
Smith: “They have to recruit earlier. They need to get guys locked in earlier and find their top guys before Alabama does.”
Williams: “LSU has more talent than Alabama, so they just have to make less mistakes. They have to put it all together.”
Edwin White: “They need to improve the offense. They have always been able to hang with Alabama on defense, so it is about their offense.”
Jones: “This is a tough one. I believe they can do it, but they have to improve their offense.”
Vance: “They've got to do better on the offensive side of the ball.”
Roy: “Just play harder, get coached well and play to their full potential throughout the game.”
Jackson: “They’ve got to come out and play hard and play 110-percent on offense and defense.”
Johnson: “They got to recruit. They got to recruit everything, especially on the offensive line. They got nice defensive backs that they produce every year, but they need to recruit better offensive linemen and a quarterback.”
Burns: “LSU just has to work hard, grind and have the mindset of greatness like Alabama does.”
Moore: “LSU just has to ball out, get more recruits like how they did in the 2019 class and they should do it.”
How do you see LSU finishing the 2019 season?
Van Pran: “I really think LSU will be in the NCAA playoffs this year. I see them in the Final Four. I think their offense will take them there. Their defense is always solid, but their offense will take a turn for the better.”
Smith: “I see them going 10-2 this season. I think they score more points this year. The defense will be very good again.”
Williams: “I don’t think LSU goes undefeated, but they will win all but one or two. I think they could win a lot if they stay healthy. They have been banged up a lot, so being healthy will help them win a lot of games.”
White: “I predict they will have a good season and win 10 games. After their bowl win over UCF, they have a lot of talent coming back, so I think they do well.”
Jones: “I see them winning 10 games because of their defense and the recruits they have pulled in.”
Vance: “I give them nine. I think they’re gonna be pretty good.”
Roy: “I say 10-2. I think they can beat everyone, but they might struggle with ‘Bama and probably Florida or A&M.”
Jackson: “They’ll go 11-1. They’re gonna beat everybody, but maybe they’ll have one slip-up along the way.”
Johnson: “They’re gonna win the SEC Championship. Alabama is gonna fall off this year and LSU will play Georgia in the championship.”
Burns: “Probably 10-2. They’ll lose to A&M and Alabama, but they have a great team. The vibe over there is great and I think they’ll do great this year.”
Moore: “I think 10 or 11 wins. They got a great 2019 class and they’ve got most of their starters coming back from last year and they did well. Coach (Joe) Brady, with that amazing offense, LSU should be pretty good.”
Clayton: “I hope they go undefeated if they can. I think they can with the new team that they have.”
