Take Two: Will it be LSU for five-star Terrace Marshall Jr.?

Take Two returns with a daily offering tackling a handful of issues in the college football landscape. Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney lays out the situation and then receives takes from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and an expert from the Rivals.com network.

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Terrace Marshall Jr. is ranked as the third-best receiver in the 2018 class. He’s clearly a priority for top teams across the country.

In late August, the Bossier City (La.) Parkway standout narrowed his choices to Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas, LSU and Florida State.

Marshall has had even more time to think about his recruitment this season since he sustained an ankle injury in early September. He’s taken visits to some of his top choices, still has some visits left and all five seem to be legitimate options.

The top-ranked prospect in the Louisiana state rankings, LSU has not missed out on the top recruit in its home state since 2012 when five-star defensive back Landon Collins picked Alabama. That decision certainly caused a stir on national television when Collins’ mother appeared quite displeased with the choice.

How important is it for coach Ed Orgeron to wrap up Marshall and add another crucial piece to an offense that continues to rebuild under offensive coordinator Matt Canada? Is Marshall giving away any hint by changing his Twitter picture to him wearing a Texas shirt shortly after his visit to Austin?

Can another power come into Louisiana and swipe Marshall away or is he another top-rated, five-star standout that is headed to Baton Rouge?

"Marshall has been busy on the visit circuit and he's making up for lost time by entertaining programs like Florida State, Texas and Texas A&M. But LSU entered the fall as the favorite and while there was some doubt early in the year due to some offensive struggles by the Tigers, I still think they have a very good chance with Marshall. The offense continues to evolve and more importantly the wide receivers are involved and making big plays. If LSU can finish the season strong and make the right pitch to Marshall and his family on his official visit, expect them to jump to the top of his list.”

“They have to keep him in-state. One of the things coaches are going to do is try to go into Louisiana with Ed Orgeron as coach and try to steal recruits. Alabama has had success doing that. We just saw Devonta Smith win the game last Saturday with a touchdown catch.

“Others are going to try to do it now because that hire wasn’t the most popular one, the loss to Troy and all the other stuff that’s gone on there this season despite the fact that they’ve recovered pretty well. They need to keep a kid like that home.

“The injury to Marshall helps LSU. When a kid gets injured in high school he sort of realizes, ‘What am I going to do if I’m not playing football? Do I want to be far away from my family and my support group or do I want to be at home?’ When you see kids get injured, you sometimes see them lean toward the home football program and that’s why LSU has always been in the lead for this kid and why they’re in better shape now.”