Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Feb 13, 202123 min
Updated: May 10, 2021
by Lonn Phillips Sullivan
@LonnPhillips
Partial stats due to unavailability. If anyone has them, we'd love to put them up. I've personally contacted as many players as possible for the stats as well.
THANK YOU & ENJOY!
-MARCUS HIGH CAREER STATS:
8,160 PASSING YARDS
83 TDs
623/946
20 INTs
-2020 STATS:
2,815 PASSING YARDS
33 TDs
213/293
5 INTs
-2019 STATS:
3,788 Passing Yards
38 TDs
288/431
10 INTs
-2018 STATS:
1,557 Passing Yards
12 TDs
122/218
5 INTs
This kid could be a freshman starter....
I know, I know, I know...that's a quarterback room 4 deep full of proven SEC winners (all) and multiple SEC & LSU record breakers (Myles & Max) ...it's crazy talk to suggest a freshman, coming off a hand injury, could slide right into debutant Offensive Coordinator Jake Peetz's offense and deliver just like that... right?
Not entirely....
He's that good...and the strong belief around LSU HQ concerning their early enrollee quarterback (not to mention his longtime family friend relationship with Jake Peetz, an old buddy of his father's from their Alabama days) could propel him for a shot at the job. His talents will at least be on full display throughout Spring practices, far from relegated on the bench to wait out the results of Myles, Max & T.J's quarterback battle.
We'll see if he can outduel Max or Myles for the gig... but at the same time, Nussmeier doesn't have to grab the starting QB job as a freshman for his legend to grow at LSU. After all, most analysts, fans and coaches would bet on 2022-2024 being his prime seasons of heathen born greatness at Death Valley. A great number of those same people would be blown away if Nussmeier started at QB for Week 1's trip to the Rose Bowl...I wouldn't be one of 'em.
Garrett has many strengths to go with few weaknesses, rocking a neckbreaking character, an ingenius footballing mind, body & soul, boundless / third eye vision, a strong inner faith in God, infinite potential & of course, Nussmeier's father Doug playing & coaching at the NFL or collegiate level has given him a strong classroom background.
But out of his entire on-field arsenal, I feel Garrett's two most untouchable footballing attributes have to be the Marcus High sniper's "Daunte Culpepper on steroids" arm strength or his uncanny play extension showmanship... dancing around, under or through defenders and running one into another as he belts a 60 yard bomb to Sturdivant...this was a common scenario his Texas high school opponents know all too well.
Nussmeier is a prodigy who's innovation & improvisation is Burrow-esque and that's not an overstatement...that's just how good he is.
He wants the Burrow comparisons, he welcomes it...after all, Joe is his favorite, perhaps the quarterback he studies most. If you believe Garrett's love for Burrow is just a post-title afterglow phase, watch his highlights, man...the young fire-breathing Tiger is a feast of opposition famine.
Just to highlight his importance: This past year, Marcus High were enjoying a historic undefeated season, a team littered with top players...until Nussmeier broke his hand during the 1st Round of the playoffs, knocking him out for the year and his school from the playoffs only a game later.
It was a cruel way for his high school career to end, watching his team on the sidelines and knowing inside "if I could only be out there...this game would be ours..."
Nussmeier will be carrying that feeling of vengeance into Spring practices...he will push the other upperclassmen quarterbacks to the brink for that role and they better be ready for it....he's geauxing to be thinking about that title for a while....
-PLEASANT GROVE CAREER STATS:
300 Tackles
75 TFL
45.5 Sacks
15 PD
12 FF
6 FR (1 TD Ret)
1 INT
218 RECEIVING YARDS
4 TDs
9 RECEPTIONS
-2017 STATE CHAMPION
-2018 RUNNER UP
-2019 STATE CHAMPION
-Texas Sports Writers 4A Def. Player of 2019
-MaxPreps 1st Team Junior All-American
A primal DE who reminds me of Simeon Rice, J.J Watt (his favorite player) & LaCouture all wrapped up in one brutal package.
One of the most accomplished, decorated and productive defensive ends in America, Landon Jackson was also one of the more highly coveted & relentlessly pursued (most notably by his father's alma mater Texas A&M...until Landon witnessed LSU's 50-7 face-collapsing of the Aggies at Death Valley...then, it was over).
Suffering an early season-ending ankle injury (during a freak accident in practice) he's now healing up & feeling better by the day:
Make no mistake, look for Jackson to be an absolute wrecking machine.
Our exclusive interview with the Texarkana Titan here! This was Landon's first full length / non post-game interview since his recruiting process began...it had been nearly 2 years.
-ST. JAMES CAREER STATS:
JUNIOR & SENIOR YEAR
159 total (119 solo)
20 sacks
47 TFLs (29 in 2019)
42 Pressures (25 in 2019)
3 FF
6 FR
2 FR RET TDs
1 INT
9 PD
3 safeties scored
2 blocked punts
The best DE in America, a freight train of SEC pain...he's geauxing to be coming for you, Saban!
The numbers from Saivion are outrageous...unbridled production at the defensive end position that can only be touched by Landon Jackson:
Posting 8+ sacks, 16+ TFLs & a defensive score in each of his previous two seasons, forcing safeties, creating turnovers, Saivion commits violent devastation upon an offense;
But his craziest numbers arrived during St. James' undefeated title-winning conquest: amassing an astonishing 25 pressures, 90 tackles (77 solo stops!!!), 12 sacks and 29 tackles for loss. He was also the main piece of a defensive wrecking crew which forced & pressured 46 total INTs over the previous 2 campaigns, 2019 producing a wild 26 & 2020 bringing 20 picks.
When LSU lost out on Korey Foreman, anyone who really knew Louisiana football didn't bat an eyelash or shed a tear.
While Foreman is rated as the top DE in the nation & overall player by Geaux247 & #2 by Rivals, here at LSU Odyssey, we think highly of Korey...however, I don't feel Foreman is even the top defensive end...that's Saivion Jones.
Without a doubt the most productive defensive end coming out of the high school game over the past two seasons, winning a title & jettisoning his team to a semifinal this past year, showing high character by waiting to sign with his class...and he's only geauxing to get better.
His talents have been brilliantly developed by the coaching staff at St. James under Coach Robert Valdez, potential which should only skyrocket at the next level.
When Saivion arrives at LSU this summer, he'll be coached by D-Line Impresario Andre Carter, he'll find himself learning from DE superstars such as Ali Gaye, B.J Ojulari or Andre Anthony & lining up alongside interior destroyers like Jaquelin Roy, Maason Smith, Jacobian Guillory & Neil Farrell Jr. With such a large group of expertise and experience to call upon, Jones will have a large array of leadership to guide him as he continues to learn his craft.
He's well beyond his peers, positioning himself as an elite duke of destruction....a riveting O-line annihilator who will subsequently continue his metamorphosis into a first class Tiger of the highest order.
-LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN 2019 STATS:
31 TACKLES
2 INTERCEPTIONS
702 RECEIVING YARDS
37 CATCHES
8 RUSHING TDs
263 RUSHING YARDS
7 RUSHING TDs
-LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN 2020 STATS:
576 RUSHING YARDS
13 RUSHING TDs
57 CARRIES
297 RECEIVING YARDS
18 CATCHES
3 RECEIVING TDs
3 PUNT RETURN TDs
19 TOTAL TDs
-Won a State Championship in all four years of high school, back to back Division IV titles in 2017-18 & consecutive Division III titles in 2019-2020.
Here is a Tiger with the blood of LSU ingrained in his very soul...
Not only is Sage Ryan a local Louisiana legend, he's also the nephew of LSU linebacker mastermind Trev Faulk; then, his cousin just happens to be the Tigers' all time leading rusher, the SEC's all time producer, 3x Super Bowl Champion Kevin Faulk....also currently on staff as LSU's Running Backs Coach.
Anyone thinking this young man was seriously heading to Alabama had to be delusional or under the Saban bag man spell...
Either way, here he is...Flash Ryan is a spectacular talent, as well as the greatest multifaceted weapon within Louisiana State University's most versatile class ever.
Much like Derek Stingley's time at Denham Springs, Flash terrorized opponents through every phase of the game, exhibiting spooky "one touch" scoring power at receiver, running back as well as punishing punters for booting the ball anywhere near him.
The 5 Star versatile safety can also play nickel, cover slot receivers with ease, rough up bigger tight ends, play wide receiver on offense, run the football from the backfield with his uncanny vision, and most dangerous of all, he really is a Mathieu-esque special teams megaforce.
During his time at Lafayette Christian Academy, the team were almost universally undefeated, geauxing a crazy 48-3 during Ryan's four years as LCA brought home a title after every season of his tenure.
Sage also hauled in significant individual honors: Ryan was named Mr. Football by the Louisiana Writer's Association, 2A Offensive MVP in 2020 and made the Sports Illustrated All-America
He told this very author just the other day:
"it feels like I’m stuck in a dream that I don’t wanna wake up from. I'm doing good, just took a week of. it’s coming along great I’m ready to get on campus though!"
When asked if LSU's new DC Daronte Jones had contacted him, Sage said "Yeah he did contact me. It went good, he real down to earth."
More of our interview, including Sage's impressions of DC Daronte Jones, coming soon.
-TERREBONNE CAREER STATS:
145 TACKLES (86 SOLO)
29 TFL
17 QB HURRIES
9 SACKS
1 FF
1 BLOCKED FG
-Only appeared in 5 games during 2020
The Best DT in America chose LSU because he knew exactly what kind of defensive line project Coach Orgeron would try to foster this season.
LSU's 2021 unit should be college football's finest with all its athletic specimen & gritty hard nosed talents (now led by NFL veteran player & coach Andre Carter & backed by one hell of a supporting cast).
Looking to his left or right, Maason will be surrounded by NFL talents all over the defensive line & he'll be coached by a bunch of 'em, from Orgeron to Carter, Keith Sanchez, Manny Michel, former LSU #18's Benny Logan & Christian LaCouture, while even former Bengals' assistant Gerald Chatman (Jones' colleague) has found his way on staff.
Will we see Maason Smith starting as a freshman, wearing his big number 0 jersey?
Hell yes we definitely could.
LSU Odyssey will be interviewing Ernest Harvey Jr, Maason's trainer in the coming days. Look for that epic interview coming soon!
-WALKER HIGH 2019 STATS:
1,272 Yards
75 Catches
17 TDs
17 Yards Per Catch
-WALKER HIGH 2020 STATS:
507 Yards
30 Catches
7 Receiving TDs
16.9 yards per catch
Brian's signature completes the deepest, most thrilling wide receiving group in college football....LSU's 2021 unit.
LSU have a serious talent on their hands here...a kid who can win any ball in the air, make every possible catch and he's going to be a superstar.
He'll be a red zone target as predicted, for sure...that's easy...but watch his tape and you'll witness a young man capable of pulling off every catch on the field, absorbing or bouncing off blows on his way to the end zone, blurring his way down the sidelines, zigzagging through the middle of the field...all the while showing tenacity, finesse, length and power.
Brian Thomas' capture was essential for this 2021 class....he was a receiver I'd thought about more than any other & was among LSU Odyssey's most written about 2021 athletes (next to Raesjon, Tristan, Sage or Maason).
With Thomas Jr on roster, Mickey Joseph can now claim his 2021 group to be LSU's most stacked receiving corps ever and the best in college football.
Brian Thomas Jr is a 4 Star?
(Laughs)
-WEST MONROE 2019 STATS:
42 YARDS PER PUNT
20 PUNTS DOWNED INSIDE THE 20 YARD LINE
-LED WEST MONROE IN INTERCEPTIONS, PLAYING LB
Peyton Todd is without a doubt the best punter born in the 2021 class, a complete grade A footsman.... this kid is a gem. His propensity to pin opponents deep will prove to be Von Rosenberg-esque when Todd takes the main stage during 2021.
He'll need to be ready to geaux right out of the gates, expected to be LSU's freshman starting punter when the Tigers face Chip Kelly's UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Todd will be working under special teams king Greg McMahon (the architect of the Saints' 2009 Super Bowl-winning / 2nd half-opening onside kick); accordingly, the Super Bowl / National Championship winner should be excited to coach such a highly decorated punter.
Peyton Todd will have big kicking boots to fill after the legacy ZVR left behind, however the young man's pedigree is outrageous and if you believe McMahon's past pedigree is worth a damn (Cole Tracy, Cade York, ZVR, Avery Atkins) which it obviously is, then I think Todd will be juuust fine.
But there's much more to Peyton Todd than just the game of football...after you read this, you'll be rooting for this kid until your voice is gone:
As his cousin Morgan Todd tells us, Peyton is a young man who had to "grow up fast" after the 2012 passing of his father...when young Peyton was only a tender 10 years old.
Peyton's father Hunter Todd was a huge LSU fan who's dream was to see his son become a Tiger....this is the year Hunter, as well as everyone else, will finally get that chance.
Morgan told us a little more about what drives Peyton:
"He is my BABY! BIG TALL BABY! But always my baby. He’s the kindest, most soft hearted, disciplined, God fearing 18 year old I know. It was a dream of his daddy’s to see him in Death Valley, dressed in purple and gold on Saturdays. He’s the kid you see after practice, on Saturdays, on Sundays after church, kicking.. over and over and over. Always trying to do better. It’s an honor to see him where he is. He deserves the world. He had to grow up so young; I pray he soaks in the moments and seizes this opportunity at LSU."
In closing, Morgan had one final piece of advice for the young Tiger:
-GATEWAY 2019 STATS:
1,507 RUSHING YARDS
547 YARDS
36 CATCHES
28 TOTAL TDs
46 TACKLES
2 INTs
1 FF
An early enrollee Tiger, Derrick Davis Jr is a two-way footballer who's been in championship moments...and he's come through the fire for his team at his youngest...when it mattered most:
As a freshman at Gateway, Davis Jr produced a big time sack & picked off a pass on the final drive of the Pennsylvania state title game, sealing the championship win. He also combined for 100 total yards & a touchdown on offense, showing out during his first varsity postseason.
He took Gateway back to the title game as a junior, leading a defense which held 9 opponents to only a single touchdown. This past year, Davis Jr's playmaking took Gateway clear to the semifinals, on the cusp of yet another title.
It was Davis Jr's inherent knack for playmaking which attracted LSU's Corey Raymond:
Only one visit and Davis Jr was ready to take off from Pennsylvania to Louisiana, becoming an early enrollee this January and currently impressing everyone in the weight room.
Although Clemson were all over Davis Jr, Alabama were in the picture & Ohio State thought they were entitled to the safety, Derrick defied them all and went with his gut feeling.
His family spent their own money to travel all the way from Pennsylvania down to Baton Rouge during the pandemic, just to give their son the opportunity to see what it felt like to be in Louisiana.
After this visit, DAVIS JR WAS LOCKED IN....
A gung ho Tiger who has a huge future at LSU as a rock solid safety...don't be surprised if Daronte Jones relies upon him sooner rather than later.
HONORS:
-Under Armour All-American
-Ranked #6 OT in the nation by 247
-#3 OT by LSU Odyssey
Dellinger's firm commitment was a massive win for James Cregg & LSU's offensive line: earning such a talent out of Michigan last early summer, Cregg made sure to cash in on the program's National Championship win, Joe Moore Award prestige & the ever-expanding national appeal of LSU's brand.
Garrett was also sold on LSU due to the high number of Tigers who'd been selected from the 2020 NFL Draft some months before his June 24th commitment / signing date.
Why am I calling it a commitment / signing date?
I don't know about you but when I watched his commitment film, I knew this was a signing decision by Garrett Dellinger...
The Clarkston High megalodon was a huge victory for the Tigers' offensive line prospects, his unbreakable commitment sealing the national perception of LSU as a growing recruiting dominator.
Capable of plugging holes at both right & left tackle, Dellinger is a mesmerizing beast of every D-Line's burden. His extra-spicy aggressive on-field behavior used to be heightened by his play on defense for Clarkston High, Garrett often ripping the ball out of the clutches of running backs, deflecting passes or sacking quarterbacks, too.
We'll see if he can find that extra layer of O-lineman anger at the next level
This young man is a powerhouse and I can't wait to see what he does as a complete trenchman omnipotent along the offensive line.
-PROVINE 2019 STATS:
1,059 RECEIVING YARDS
43 CATCHES
24.6 YARDS PER CATCH
19 TDs
1 KR TD
1 PR TD
-JACKSON ACADEMY 2020 STATS:
640 RECEIVING YARDS
36 CATCHES
17.8 YARDS PER CATCH
7 RECEIVING TDs
189 RUSHING YARDS
8 CARRIES
2 RUSHING TDs
159 KO RETURN YARDS
1 KO RET TD
-Four games of 2+ TDs
HONORS:
-First Team All State
-Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen Team of The Year
-#1 Overall Player in the state of Mississippi
The #1 player in Mississippi, WR Deion Smith is an unreal talent who may just be the receiver possessing the most fully realized overall ability.
Within the state of Mississippi, Deion had no other equal, turning defenders into mincemeat, DBs into kindergartners, driving defensive coordinators into early grey-haired doom as he sent their game plan to an early grave....at times it looked as if Deion messed with defenders, toyed with them...used them as chess pieces for his next move.... playing flag football out there against top competition in an SEC state.
Example:
Against Presbyterian Christian, Deion hauled in 6 passes, scoring 1 TD while ripping off 107 receiving yards....yet he was far from finished. Smith completed his ascendancy, generating 2 rushing touchdowns & 72 yards on the ground from only 3 carries in the same contest, displaying his multifaceted scoring powers.
Throughout 2020's season at Jackson Academy, Deion took no prisoners, his dominance only being interrupted by his brother Dan's targets & a badly sprained ankle during the 2nd Round of the playoffs, knocking him out of Jackson Academy's semifinal run.
He can do it all on the field....just listen to his trainer, NFL / Ole Miss record-breaker Shay Hodge tell it like it is to LSU Odyssey.
Also check out our in-depth feature about Deion Smith's journey to the top!
-VANGUARD HIGH CAREER STATS (FRESHMAN, JUNIOR & SENIOR YEARS):
78 TACKLES (44 SOLO)
6 SACKS
17 HURRIES
1 FF
The Ocala, Florida pass rusher should've been a Gator, but LSU went into Dan Mullen's backyard and stole one of the state's best defensive ends, a shock signing LSU Odyssey called from a mile off.
Langston fits the LSU D-Line mould to a tee, while also proving to be someone altogether different & unique as far as body profile:
Don't be afraid of his meager stats, this defensive end created a host of chaos on nearly every down, it actually became hard to keep track....quite often his feverish pressures & intensity created rushing lanes for his teammates.
Bryce remains a thick powerman5000, an extremely intriguing piece of Andre Carter's 2021 D-Line & a physically imposing monolith, desecrating the entire protection scheme & making more happen for his fellow linemen than his numbers would indicate.
One of the most double-teamed pass-rushers in Florida, Langston joins the #1 D-Line in America under new Defensive Line chief Andre Carter.
The #13 prospect in Mississippi reminded TEs assistant Derek Shay & Coach O of Thaddeus Moss, proving to be an extremely adept blocker as well as a fortified passing weapon....and LSU were lucky to snag him from the clutches of both homestate school Ole Miss & Saban's Alabama.
Blocking for a pair of running backs who racked up 2,400+ yards on the ground & 27 TDs during a single season (Jalen's first as a starter at TE), Shead displayed just what he can do for a teeth-removing running game.
But can Shead be a threat as a receiver?
If he couldn't be a passing game target, he wouldn't be at LSU right now...
And here he is...
-2019 COMEAUX STATS:
1,223 YARDS
58 CATCHES
21 TDs
A three sport athlete (football, basketball, track), Nabers was a dominion of his own odyssey, rampaging his way through defenders like the second coming of the Bayou Blur.
Had the Tigers lost him to Mississippi State, it would've been a travesty: such a loss of versatility and talent along the WR corps isn't what Orgeron's program or Malik himself needed:
A prodigy such as Malik Nabers deserves more than Mike Leach's Air Raid offense....
Luckily, the Tigers' legendary WRs Coach Mickey Joseph pushed for Nabers all along, but once Jo Jo Earle flipped to Alabama, Joseph convinced the entire staff to geaux all out, their increased attention forcing the Nabers flip from Miss State back to the Lafayette speed demon's hometown Tigers.
It was during his monumental junior season at Comeaux when Nabers really broke out, putting opponents to the sword for 1,223 receiving yards from 58 catches resulting in a startling 21 touchdowns...a substantial haul of receiving discipleship (more 2019 TDs than Brian Thomas Jr, Chris Hilton Jr, Deion Smith or Jack Bech).
Although when he aimed to top these otherworldly numbers in 2020, Malik was sadly forced to sit out his entire senior year after he transferred to Southside High (due to ridiculous LHSAA transfer rules)...
Following his signing, Nabers talked about wearing the purple & gold with hometownlife.com: "I prayed last night and I told God to give me a sign and he gave me a sign to sign with LSU."
Talking more about representing his hometown Tigers:
"It means a lot because a lot of people don’t get this opportunity like I have. They got kids that are wanting to be in my seat and I hope they get there because it’s not easy. I think it’s a huge accomplishment to play for your home state because that’s where everyone wants to play is their home state. My home state is one of the best and I decided to stay here."
LSU Odyssey will have an in-depth feature on Malik Nabers coming very soon, potentially some exciting developments to geaux with it.
-ST. THOMAS MORE CAREER STATS:
3,004 RECEIVING YARDS
163 CATCHES
35 TDs
18.4 PER CATCH
45 RUSH. YARDS
2 CARRIES
1 RUSH TD
2 PUNTS RETURNED FOR TDs
-2020 STATS:
1,159 RECEIVING YARDS
59 CATCHES
14 TDs
19.6 PER CATCH
6 RUSHING YARDS
2 CARRIES
1 RUSHING TD
1 PR TD
-2019 STATS:
1,668 RECEIVING YARDS
91 CATCHES
18.3 YARDS PER CATCH
20 TDs
-2018 STATS:
135 RECEIVING YARDS
12 CATCHES
1 TD
-2017 STATS:
42 RECEIVING YARDS
1 CATCH
-2018 State Title Game Runner-Up
-2019 State Title Champion
-2020 State Title Champion
-35 Varsity appearances for St. Thomas More
A no-nonsense JACK-of-all-trades who's fully capable of burning corners on the outside, turning LBs into Kraft singles with his physicality, or rampantly laying waste to safeties thanks to his punishing brute force, the St. Thomas More receiving militant is LSU bound...and ready for ultimate glory.
The second LSU came in the mix for Bech, the former Vandy commit torched his Commodores offer immediately:
Not only is LSU his favorite team of course, but Jack's two uncles Brett and Blain both played for LSU and his mother was on the Lady Tigers soccer team.
Plus, his best friend & quarterback Walker Howard (you may have heard of him) is already a stone cold solid 2022 commitment, aka the Garrett Nussmeier of '22....just like his family before him and his best friend only months prior, Bech was magnetized to LSU's growing power....
....Oh.....by the way, he once jumped over someone...yeah...just cleared the defender like they were a mailbox, Bech looking like James Bond impersonating Yao Ming...
Our interview with Jack Bech, before his Vandy flip to LSU here.
-HAPPEVILLE CHARTER 2020 STATS:
74 TACKLES (57 SOLO)
7 SACKS
An early enrollee, Hapeville Charter's Zavier Carter is a dedicated leviathan of pass-rushing devastation...
Arising from the same high school which developed LSU's all-time single season Sackmaster Flash, Mr. Arden Key, Zavier was a highly sought after recruit for this Tigers staff.
While he's gone under the radar since his commitment last summer, Carter could very well be one of the Tigers' better overall pass rushers this coming year.
Simply put, Carter possesses a torrent of obliterating skill that, once harnessed, could see his unearthly rise out from under the "bigger names".
We talked about Zavier's commitment back last summer on The Mark Rogers Show.
Flipping from Florida State to LSU after one visit to Death Valley, the Sunshine State-native found a spot along James Cregg's offensive line, taking the scholarship saved for Tristan Leigh's arrival.
Despite Leigh being ranked a 5 star and Makeonole only a 3 star, I feel the upside from the Tigers' OT is so startling he could bridge that gap as a 4 star footballer by 2022....
The real question is whether or not he can start on Cregg's O-line in the next two seasons, that's the question.
I don't think we'll see him as a starter unless poor performances / injuries occur, yet he'll likely develop quicker feet (no more false steps) & smarter / more controlling hand technique during that span, setting 2022 & 2023 up as prime "money-making" years for Kimo.
Here was our piece predicting his flip before it happened.
-ZACHARY HIGH 2019 STATS:
1,388 YARDS
73 CATCHES
18 TDs
19 YARDS PER CATCH
-ZACHARY HIGH 2018 STATS:
542 YARDS
30 CATCHES
7 TDs
18.1 YARDS PER CATCH
A speedy, full force gale out wide who's brilliance has directly delivered a championship ring upon his finger (as well as one of the most incredible state title game moments in Louisiana high school football lore):
Many will remember Chris for his epic 80 yard shuttle screen catch and burn vs West Monroe in the 2018 5A state title game, a now legendary play which came on a do-or-die 3rd & 10 moment in the final minutes of the 4th quarter, capturing Zachary vs West Monroe's madcap lunacy on that wild night inside the Superdome..... with everything on the line.
“Once I broke free, I looked up at the big screen and saw that he was behind me and I had to turn on the jets,” Hilton said to WAFB's Jacques Doucet & Craig Loper.
This title-winning moment also demonstrated (for anyone to see) a superior receiving talent already steps ahead of his opponents.... and he was only a sophomore.
Throughout his sophomore & junior campaigns at Zachary High, Chris Hilton Jr caught 73 passes for 1,388 yards and 18 receiving TDs, establishing his legend before attracting the LSU offer from Mickey Joseph & Kevin Faulk.
Setting up Coach Brewerton's Zachary with a deep run in this last year's playoffs (falling 31-28 in the 5A semifinals to Acadiana), Hilton leaves Zachary with a state title playing football, three consecutive state titles in high jumping (clearing 7 feet every time), joining his father by winning a 400 meter dash state title (50.71 seconds) and last but not least, committing Zachary's greatest moment in school history......he'll forever be an ambassador of that great institution....
Now, Chris Jr sets his sights on taking over the SEC...one catch, one playmaking circus grab, one broken tackle after another...right alongside his friend Brian Thomas Jr.
Among one of the most talented WR corps in LSU history (at least in the top 2 or 3 all time), Hilton provides the furious speed & unearthly hops next to Brian Thomas Jr's all-around metaphysical atrocities, Deion Smith's aerial magnetism, Malik Nabers' adventurous agility and Jack Bech's towering thunderdome.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc LLC
SHOUTOUTS: CHRIS JR, WELCOME!!!!
(image edit by Turpedits)
-DEMATHA CAREER STATS (partial...if anyone has Greg's full stats, let us know):
5 Sacks (including 2 on 2021's #1 QB Caleb Williams)
14 Pressures
8 QB Hits
1 FR RET TD
-Led Team In Tackles
Out of DeMatha Catholic High in Maryland, Greg Penn III is an extremely gifted inside linebacker, built to last, definitely fast & ready to blast...
Impressing over 30 different schools (Alabama to Florida), Penn III made a massive impact on Bo Pelini's staff:
Attracting Pelini as his main recruiter, the Tigers pursued the DeMatha High Mike LB with full gusto & hell bent for leather dedication: Penn III was an absolute blitzing machine on film...watch how he takes off and terrorizes 2021's #1 QB Caleb Williams for a few sacks & consistent pressure inside....witness his ability to track & hunt...his unbridled power at stuffing the run...
In addition to his side to side range & brickhouse tackling, Penn III is also equipped enough to organize pre-snap, dissecting the next play at will thanks to his high football IQ.
Constantly navigating through traffic as he reads & reacts to make the stops, Penn's scraping is elite, Greg already showing the world his unnerving vision on the football field.
Without being perfect in coverage, Penn isn't a liability either, able to quickly react & peel out in order to make stops, firmly limiting opponents in the yards after catch department. Although the truth is, I need more film of his coverage abilities....
While supplying strength against the run & endurance in coverage, his body positioning is also precise for a tackle: always the low man, constantly exploding vertically & driving through his hips, all while utilizing his overwhelming power to bring opponents to the ground.
In my estimation, Penn III will be contending for the starting MIKE linebacker position at LSU for the next few years, perhaps as a freshman!
-PENSACOLA CATHOLIC 2020 STATS (partial):
3 INTs
6 OFFENSIVE TDs
The Florida grinder sports tremendous length, Raymond-certified technique, an underrated tackling ability & qualified coverage magic, recording 3 interceptions from limited targets as he became one of the most feared corners within the Florida panhandle.
Committed to Jeremy Pruitt's Tennessee for quite a while, once DBU came calling McGhee was all in. His addition closed the gap left behind after Clemson CB Nathaniel Wiggins' decommitment, providing the Tigers an extremely solid talent with massive upside.
At 6'2 he fits the Raymond mould, McGhee possesses outstanding tracking ability, range, sharp movement in the swivel and his timing is impeccable. When the ball's in the air, he suddenly transforms into a WR.
-MISS GULF COAST 2020 STATS:
59 TACKLES
12 TFLs
12 QB HURRIES
4 SACKS
2 FF
LSU's 2021 "London Fletcher", former Mississippi Gulf Coast's JUCO LB Navonteque "Bugg" Strong was part of a defensive unit nicknamed "The Regulators", a #1 ranked (NJCAA) badass group surrendering 191.9 total yards per game & a #2 ranked 12.3 points.
So....it geauxs without saying "of course he'll be great in purple and gold"...
He may not be blessed with speed...he isn't consumed by his own athleticism...he isn't going to make Todd McShay drool at this juncture, but what he executes on a game in-game out basis is an exercise in pushing one's self to their maximum, only to find out how much more they've got on the other side...Bugg flies to the ball.
Already a fan favorite (first for his Miss State decommitment, 2nd for his badass nickname, 3rd for his cool demeanor), I expect Strong to bring that swagger & toughness to a linebacking crew in serious need of confidence. Even if he doesn't grab a starting spot, Strong's practice intensity, coupled alongside his high octane competitive nature, will elevate the overall play of Blake Baker's linebackers.
-ROGER BACON CAREER STATS:
7,130 Rushing Yards (10th all time OHSAA)
116 Rushing TDs
125 Total TDs (#3 all time in scoring OHSAA)
-2020 STATS:
35 Rushing TDs
38 Total TDs
1,866 Rushing Yards
-Roger Bacon High's first ever semifinals appearance
-Named "Mr. Ohio" (Joe Burrow also won this award)
The best running back in America stole the show throughout 2020 once again, following up his 40 TD campaign the year prior by racking up a stunning 35 TDs with 1 fewer game on the schedule...and yes, Kiner can do a lot in one game:
Corey Kiner, aka TDs-R-Us, ran for 323 yards on his way to a 7 touchdown performance against Norwood, torching their defense left, right and center. Featuring high flying acrobatics, defender hurdling histrionics and spin-move savagery, Kiner ran Norwood's entire defensive unit off the field...taking on 11 players by himself and winning. He also dropped 6 scores in another stunning showcase vs Cincinnati College Prep Academy and 5 vs Cincy Hills.....
I don't think Corey likes Cincy all that much.
Let's just list the most insane statistics you've ever heard:
Kiner registered four appearances of 4+ TDs, scoring twice in all but one game, four performances with 211+ yards (only failing to hit 100+ total yards on 2 occasions, both blowouts in which Corey was pulled at halftime, including a 41-0 shutout of North Hill which saw him hit 95 yards)....
He's almost superhuman...
If there's any doubts about whether his talents & production will translate to the SEC, just cut his numbers in half and tell me if they're still any good...
Kiner is also an extremely powerful back, containing enough drive to throw 3 defenders back on their heels while in mid-flight, slamming through tackles or bouncing off the flailing limbs of his opponents...leaving these hollowed out defenders scattered like atoms in the dust of his wake.
I've been enthralled watching Corey Kiner play football...he's a special breed and LSU are lucky to have him on their roster.
Our piece on Kiner's historic high school career at Roger Bacon.
-TRUSSVILLE 2020 STATS:
1,424 Yards
152 CARRIES
18 TDs
-2019 STATS:
485 YARDS
10 TDs
52 CARRIES
(Season Ending Injury)
Though 2019 saw Armoni Goodwin's junior year at Trussville cut short due to injury, the stud diesel came roaring back with a vengeance in 2020, defying a global pandemic & a shortened schedule for nearly 1,500 rushing yards, almost 1,800 overall alongside 18 TDs.
If you need to wonder why he's good pals with Corey Kiner, here it is: they've been competing against each other all season long.
While Kiner may have topped him in touchdowns & headlines, Goodwin has Olympian type speed, as he just showcased a few days ago:
Armoni set the Alabama 7A state record for the indoor 60 meter dash...further proof of his terminal velocity.
Who knows where Armoni will fit in amongst a deep 2021 running backs room at Louisiana State, yet I feel when Ty Davis-Price or John Emery's time comes to an end, Kiner and Goodwin will once again contend against one another, this time as teammates battling for the ultimate #1 spot.
-CATHOLIC POINT COUPEE 2019 STATS:
68 TACKLES
12 PDs
4 SACKS
1,343 RUSHING YARDS
27 TDS
The Point Coupee local legend received an LSU offer late in the game, right as Langlois was firmly in Van Malone's K-State camp. But once the safety / running back's offer came down from the Tigers, he jumped at the chance to join his dream school.
In Matthew Langlois, the Tigers have another strong, physical, attack-minded safety who may be up for some serious playing time throughout 2021.
Langlois is a menace on both sides of the ball, just as he proved to every scout when facing Sacred Heart of Ville Platte this past season:
Burying opponents for 16 tackles before ripping an INT out of the air & taking it to the house for a touchdown, Langlois equally went off as a running back, rushing 10 times for 192 yards, powering through broken tackles for 3 TDs (almost 20 yards per touch).
This is a kid who'll be spectacular for LSU, whether that takes until 2022 we'll see, however I have a strong feeling about Langlois being the second coming of Craig Steltz if the staff keep him at safety as planned.
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Well there it is...LSU's entire 2021 class...all killer, no filler.
If you want to read our analysis of the 2021 big picture check this out.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc LLC
SHOUTOUTS: REDSTICK 2020 IS THE MAN!