Lonn Phillips Sullivan
Jul 30, 20224 min
Updated: Jul 31, 2022
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by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Following some major traction during the Tigers' Bayou Splash event, LSU's recruiting staff are about to close the door on a few big time commitments from this weekend:
The Tigers' recruiting staff, including brilliant Tigers such as JR Belton, Sherman Wilson, Destiny Wilson, Jordan Arcement, Corey Phillips, Grace & Patrick Kelly (Brian Kelly's daughter & son), Mike Ferrara, the list goes on and on, are all deserving of credit, doing a great job this weekend to represent LSU & Brian Kelly's staff. These staffers continue to work in tandem alongside former Tigers such as Jacob Hester, Darry Beckwith, Bradie James and staffer / LSU rushing legend Nick Brossette.
From what I'm hearing coming out of the Splash, LSU have commitments on the horizon:
The Tigers made a full court press for Kylin Jackson this weekend, making a huge play with his decision arriving just around the corner on August 8th. LSU made a major impression and things went so well we should start seeing Crystal Balls entered in ahead of his announcement.
The fact that LSU's Robert Steeples wouldn't offer Kylin until he raised his GPA, spoke volumes to Jackson's family. Academics continues to play a key role in their recruiting process for all future Tigers.
Joe Sloan spent all Friday with Purdue commit QB Rickie Collins, making some ground on their desire to flip him. Sloan will have to first thaw LSU's lack of attention toward Collins in the past, needing to bridge the gap and make sure he understands he is "the guy" for LSU's 2023 class.
Shelton Sampson Jr is another young Tiger with a decision which could come at any point from now until the middle of August, as a source confirmed to LSU Odyssey a while back Shelton would make his decision before Catholic High's season started....that made his Friday evening appearance at Bayou Splash a big deal.
LSU's staff pounced on the opportunity, just one of very few from now until Signing Day....and with a decision looming, the Tigers had to really make that final push right here, right now. Sampson Jr is ready to end his recruitment...he isn't a fan of the limelight, the phone being blown up, the nonstop calling, texting, or adulation....he's not about that. He cannot wait for the season to began...fighting off injuries over his Catholic High career, Sampson Jr is finally fully healthy as his senior year looms.
Assistants Cortez Hankton Jr, Jordan Arcement, Carter Sheridan and even former O-line teammate Emery Jones were all on hand to really drive home the point:
The message was "you could be the next Michael Clayton, Ja'Marr Chase, Terrace Marshall, Brandon LaFell....you possess those traits....look at our quarterback room".
Shelton Sampson Jr is probably going to be a Tiger, whether now or in a few weeks or in a month or in a day....this staff are really making sure they can close right now, this weekend.
I'll have some kind of update about Shelton this week if I can get that information.
5 star corner Javien Toviano is really invested in what Brian Kelly's selling him on the trail, with Robert Steeples, Kerry Cooks and their Head Coach all taking cracks at the 5 star. Previously expected to head for Jimbo's A&M, things have changed rapidly over the past 4 months.
With each passing day, it seems Toviano is looking more and more like a future Tiger, really buying into the Graduate Champions motto as well as being close with DBU's current 2023 classmates.
Which leads me to the next point:
LSU's staff are doing a great job of allowing these 2023 classmates to really get to know each other and let the Tigers' current commits sell the program as much, if not more, than the coaching staff...especially in this relaxed setting.
Because of this, we've seen LSU WRs Guru and local recruiting impresario Jordan Arcement post a tweet showing 6 Tiger emojis....all lined up....does this mean LSU are about to receive 6 commitments from the 2023 class???
For anyone questioning whether Brian Kelly (or his staff) could recruit Louisiana, you're receiving quite the wake-up call right now...and it's likely to continue.
Also keep in mind: just because decisions are made this weekend doesn't mean an announcement always has to be imminent. Look at the case of Tayvion Galloway for example as one of many, for all kinds of reasons.
Just follow the actions of those interested recruits.
Another update, I've seen a lot of movement with 2024 DB (playing QB for LCA as a senior) Ju'Juan Johnson out of LCA and after speaking with the player, I have reason to believe LSU's stock just surged up big time where he is concerned. Check out our interview with Johnson here. He loved the camaraderie within the class, as well as the dedicated attention he received from the Tigers' DBU staff. Robert Steeples is a big fan of Johnson and has made it an absolute mission to sign Johnson as part of LSU's 2024 DBU class.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
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