by Lonn Phillips Sullivan
@LonnPhillips
JACK BECH (St. Thomas More)
2020:
446 RECEIVING YARDS
17 CATCHES
5 REC. TDs
26.2 PER CATCH
1 PR TD
1 RUSH TD
CAREER:
2,291 RECEIVING YARDS
121 CATCHES
18.9 PER CATCH
79.0 YARDS PER GAME
26 REC. TDs
45 RUSH. YARDS
2 CARRIES
1 RUSH TD
2 PUNTS RETURNED FOR TDs
LSU's recruiting took a massive boost this weekend as WRs Coach Mickey Joseph officially offered St. Thomas More's WR/TE colossus Jack Bech, though the Vanderbilt commit will need to flip his commitment over to the Tigers for Orgeron's squad to capture the talented, towering phenom.
During a game in which he caught 238 yards from 11 catches for 2 receiving touchdowns, Mickey finally went in and officially offered Bech, with most LSU fans saying "About time!"
Not only is Bech far and away Louisiana's premier wide receiving talent alongside Brian Thomas Jr and Chris Hilton, those three also rank in the top 5. Against Plaquemine earlier this month, Bech turned the heads of every LSU recruter, hauling in 4 catches for 107 yards, catching 2 touchdowns and adding another rushing touchdown from 13 yards out.
Many Tigers fans are wondering why Jack Bech is now overtaking Brian Thomas Jr, the #1 WR in Louisiana (and I say the country), as their final WR priority of the 2021 class....and here's why:
LSU have been following the supremely talented Bech and Thomas Jr for some time, however with Brian Thomas Jr's signature coming down to a coin flip between the Tigers and Tide, Coach Ed Orgeron and WRs' Coach / Assistant Head Coach Mickey Joseph needed insurance out wide...and beyond insurance, Bech actually topped Brian's production down the line:
No Louisiana WR has caught more passes, totaled more yards, touchdowns or averaged higher yards per catch over the last two seasons than Jack Bech...including Brian Thomas Jr (2nd in most categories)!
Comparing the two, Bech caught almost 400 more receiving yards than Thomas in 2019, 16 more catches (75 to 91) and 20 total touchowns as he helped St. Thomas More win a state championship, hauling in 186 yards, 3 touchdowns and 10 catches during the title game victory.
2019 was the year Bech blew up, catching 1, 668 yards total as his QB Walker Howard continuously found the big man for cutthroat plays.
Standing 6'2, 215 he's actually more physical & imposing than the Bama-flirting Thomas Jr, as well as being a proven winner and already holding a solidfiied "best friendship" with LSU's 2022 hard commit QB Walker Howard....could LSU be approaching a massive victory in the 2021 class???
Bech talked to LSU and while keeping things close to the vest (potentially about to decommit from Vanderbilt), he detailed his experience getting this offer from LSU:
LONN: How long has it been since you've known of LSU's interest?
JACK: A good bit, Coach Joseph first approached me last year.
LONN: When LSU brought you the offer, what did you feel / think?
JACK: It felt great.
LONN: What were your impressions of WRs / Assistant Head Coach Mickey Joseph?
JACK: Yes sir, Coach Mickey's a great coach!!!
LONN: You've already won a state title at St. Thomas More...now that you're a senior, you've probably set school records as well, what is your favorite moment so far?
JACK: Playing with Walker!!
LONN: Has Walker Howard talked to you about joining forces?
JACK: Ya!
LONN: That's a connection Walker to Jack that's as Louisiana as a bowl of crawfish bro, you guys are an institution.
JACK: Yes sir!
LONN: Where does your chemistry come from?
JACK: Walker and I just put in a lot of hard work!
LONN: What are your biggest goals, inside or outside of football?
JACK: To be the best I can be in anything and everything I do.
(during the LSU vs South Carolina game, we talked more):
LONN: What do you think of our passing game?
JACK: Looked great!
LONN: Who's your favorite LSU receiver?
JACK: Hmmm I don't know I got some of my boys out there.
LONN: ... 238 yards 11 catches, 2 receiving touchdowns and a rushing TD all vs Catholic High???? Do you see yourself as a WR or TE??? So many can try and call you a TE but i disagree completely.
JACK: Yes sir! And a WR or wherever the coach needs me.
We wish we could supply you with more details but Bech (while being extremely funny and chill) was keeping it close to the vest as he potentially goes down the same route as Catholic's Matthew Langlois.....flipping their commitment towards the LSU Tigers.
We didn't share the one word answers, unless they were interesting and he was the king of a Belichick / Brady "one word answer" doctrine (his parents are smart).
The allure of the purple and gold won't keep the best athletes away, no matter what shady tactics LSU's SEC rivals or the NCAA do to prevent the Tigers' efforts.
With Deion Smith, Jo Jo Earle, Chris Hilton and now potentially Jack Bech AND / OR Brian Thomas Jr, LSU may certifiably have the best WR class of all time....they'll prove me right on the field, just watch.