Sting Factor: Bryce Anderson decommits from LSU
When a major program loses a key recruit, Rivals.com takes a look at how big of a blow it is to the respective school, analyzing it from a local and national level. To quantify the “sting” of each decommitment, we assign a score from 1-10, with one being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.
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THE STORYLINE
Bryce Anderson committed to LSU in the beginning of his sophomore season and it was a big early win for the Tigers as the Beaumont, Texas, safety is one of the best in the country.
But Anderson backed off his pledge in recent days and will review his recruitment with a fresh start. The No. 3 safety in 2022 will still consider LSU but with Texas A&M, Texas, Alabama, Ohio State, USC and possibly others joining the fray.
LSU had an impressive haul of defensive backs in the 2021 class by landing five-star in-state prospect Sage Ryan and going to Pennsylvania for high four-star Derrick Davis. However, someone of Anderson’s caliber would not be turned away by any stretch and it could end up hurting LSU even more if Anderson winds up at SEC West foe Texas A&M or Alabama.
With Corey Raymond still running this recruitment, LSU is going to stay in the picture for Anderson’s pledge. But a number of other big-time programs will be in the mix as well.
LOCAL REACTION
“Anderson, the nation’s No. 40 overall recruit, was one of the Tigers’ first 2022 commitments so of course it stings, especially when the Tigers’ 2022 class has been building momentum recently with commitments from CB Laterrance Welch, OT Will Campbell and OL Bo Bordelon.
“But all indications have been that LSU is still very much in the picture for Anderson moving forward, along with Alabama, Texas A&M and Texas. The Tigers are also trying to keep five-star athlete Jacoby Mathews, who projects as a safety, home, along with athlete Kendrick Law, who may be a defensive back or potentially a running back.” – Julie Boudwin, TigerDetails.com
Sting Factor: 6
NATIONAL REACTION
“Texas A&M is the biggest threat here so if he ends up with the Aggies it will sting more as an in-division loss. LSU liked Anderson and still wanted him so this isn’t a case of moving on and they have a shot to get him back.
"But it’s a bit of a stunner since he had just told me how much he loved coach Raymond and how solid he was.” – Mike Farrell, National Recruiting Director, Rivals.com
Sting factor: 7