Three-Point Stance: LSU is putting together a potential top-three class
In this edition of Three-Point Stance, Rivals national recruiting analyst Nick Harris examines the potential for LSU's 2024 class, the talent level in the state of Oklahoma in the 2025 cycle and an upcoming camp in Dallas.
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
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1. LSU is building the foundation of a top-three class.
It was clear with the way LSU recruited in the 2023 cycle that Brian Kelly and his staff were going to be a thorn in the side of just about every program in the country with top prospects, especially in the state of Louisiana. After their first full cycle in Baton Rouge, LSU's staff was able to notch a No. 5 class on the backs of some solid wins both in-state and out-of-state.
RELATED: LSU's 2024 commitment list
In 2024, LSU is already pushing the envelope even further with 10 commitments in the class, helping push the Tigers to the No. 2 spot in the team rankings early in the cycle. Of those 10, two were secured this past weekend from in-state pass-rushers that each starred in the highest classification's state championship game in Louisiana last season.
Looking around at who LSU is trending with, it's hard to see a reality where the Tigers finish outside of the top three in the team rankings when it's all said and done. Whether it be Colin Simmons, Jelani Watkins, Davhon Keys or others across the country, LSU has a large handful of four-star-plus prospects in play as we head deeper into the cycle. Pair that potential with what already is in place, and Death Valley will not only welcome in one of the nation's top classes, but a transformational two-cycle run that could sustain the early success that Kelly has found at his new home.
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2. Oklahoma's 2025 class might be its best in state history.
As I did my deep dive into 2025 evaluations ahead of next week's rankings release in the class, one thing continued to stand out: the talent in the state of Oklahoma. It showed so much potential and firepower already on both sides of the ball that it led me to the opinion of it possibly being the best class the state has ever produced. I even confided in Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop.com to make sure that opinion wasn't too far-fetched, and Josh was already well ahead of me in believing the same thing.
In my opinion, the talent in the state starts with Checotah (Okla.) wide receiver Elijah Thomas, who is coming off a sophomore season where he averaged more than 100 receiving yards per game along with accounting for 12 of his team's 20 receiving touchdowns on the season.
During the positional rankings rollout this week, two Oklahomans picked up four-star status as Washington (Okla.) tight end Nate Roberts and Weatherford (Okla.) outside linebacker CJ Nickson gained the honor to join Millwood (Okla.) ATH Jaden Nickens in the four-star rankings. Roberts, whose brother was a hot transfer portal name at tight end this offseason, put on for his Washington team in the receiving game in helping secure the program a state championship. Nickson starred on both sides of the ball and has proven to be one of the more athletic players in the state. Nickens, who initially jumped off the charts (pun intended) with his athleticism early in his career, didn't have the strongest sophomore season, but his traits have kept his potential high.
A handful of Oklahoma prospects are set to have four-star status after next week's rollout, and that's a huge accomplishment at this point in the cycle for a state that has historically seen prospects take a late rise in their recruitments on the backs of strong junior or senior seasons. However, this 2025 class will be much different in the Sooner State.
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3. Many eyes will be on Dallas this weekend.
With the 2024 class taking center-stage since February's signing day, the first big camp setting in the Mid-South region is upon us as Under Armour will make its annual stop at Arlington (Texas) Martin High School to welcome in some of the area's top talent.
I'll be curious to see Willis (Texas) four-star quarterback DJ Lagway and his progression from this point last year after one of the strongest junior seasons in the country for a quarterback. He'll be alongside some of the state's top signal-callers in Marcos Davila, Will Hammond, Michael Hawkins Jr., Mabrey Mettauer and Deuce Adams among others.
The defensive back play in the region will also be on full display with talents such as Kobe Black, Selman Bridges, Joel Rogers, Corian Gipson and many others expected to be in attendance. They will have a solid group opposite of them in the receiving core with Drelon Miller, Terry Bussey, Freddie Dubose and others expected to be in attendance.
The first big proving opportunity of the offseason will soon take place in Arlington as top prospects in the 2024 class look to separate themselves at the top.