LSU's in-state recruiting priorities for 2024 as spring closes

LSU wraps up its 2023 spring practice period Saturday with its annual spring game, and its 2024 class should start seeing another run of notable additions in the process.   The Tigers enter the weekend with 12 commitments, including a handful of in-state prospects, and a long list of visitors expected on hand for the event.   Destrehan edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='285192' first='Kolaj' last='Cobbins'], Ruston defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='421520' first='Ahmad' last='Breaux'], John Ehret offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='285195' first='Khayree' last='Lee Jr.'], Warren Easton defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='139491' first='Wallace' last='Foster IV'] and Parkway kicker [player_tooltip player_id='677949' first='Aeron' last='Burrell'] are the Louisiana recruits currently pledged to the class.   Coach Brian Kelly and company will likely land between six and 12 others from around the state be the time the class is finalized next spring.   Here are nine uncommitted standouts currently with LSU offers that have been clear priorities for the class.     [player_tooltip player_id='421603' first='Dominick' last='McKinley'] — 6-7, 270 DL — Acadiana   The big defensive lineman is a game-changer up front on defense with his rare size and special athleticism for it. LSU has a long-standing tradition of success landing the top prospects from Acadiana, and McKinley is arguably the best in the state for this class, a player that can anchor the unit for the coming years and keep a strong pipeline rolling with one of the state's most prominent high school programs.   [player_tooltip player_id='421518' first='Koby' last='Young'] — 6-1, 180 WR — Holy Cross   The dynamic New Orleans speedster is a promising receiver — and potential returner — in a class that isn't as strong in Louisiana at the position as other recent cohorts. LSU has racked up a strong corps and shown an ability to go out of state for both high-profile stars such as Jalen Brown and underrated gems such as Kyle Parker. But making good on a talented option just down the road — the only receiver in-state the Tigers have offered thus far — would be an important addition for 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='139477' first='Wardell' last='Mack'] — 6-1, 180 DB — John Ehret   LSU has built its DBU reputation in no small part to Louisiana's production of talent in the position group and the Tigers' ability to keep the best of those prospects home. Brian Kelly and his staff have been working to rebuild the depth of their secondary on the fly the past year and a half, and Mack is one of the state's top tier of prospects for 2024 and a potentially versatile defensive back that would be a big addition to the group currently on board with commitments. High school teammate and friend, [player_tooltip player_id='285195' first='Khayree' last='Lee Jr.'], is already committed and said he has been vocal that Mack should join as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='675887' first='Da'Shawn' last='McBryde'] — 6-3, 195 DB — Denham Springs   Whether he stays at safety, moves up to linebacker or ends up in somewhat of a hybrid role, McBryde is one of the most intriguing talents in the class and a record-setting ballhawk from a big Class 5A just outside of Baton Rouge and a notable 7-on-7 program in the area. The Yellow Jackets' star is scheduled to announce a decision Saturday, with the Tigers appearing well-positioned to hold off Tennessee, Florida and a solid list of out-of-state suitors overall.   [player_tooltip player_id='139482' first='Tylen' last='Singleton'] — 6-2, 200 DB — Many   The Many star bears some similarities to McBryde as a big, physical safety for his high school team, who may more likely develop into an athletic and versatile linebacker or hybrid defensive playmaker in college. But many other circumstances vary. Singleton was a fairly early figure to blow up in Louisiana's 2024 class with an Outstanding Player performance in the Class 2A state championship game and hails from a couple hours farther out of town and a program that LSU hasn't had much success recruiting during the past decade-plus. Singleton is among the best to come out of Many, though, and LSU has recruited him as heavily and steadily as any of his predecessors. Landing him would mean both the addition of arguably Louisiana's top prospect for the class, as well as a nice change of pace in the program's track record in Sabine Parish.   [player_tooltip player_id='285654' first='Melvin' last='Hills III'] — 6-4, 265 DL — Lafayette Christian   LSU has had lots of recent success recruiting Lafayette Christian with the signings of Sage Ryan in 2021 and Fitzgerald West Jr. and Jordan Allen in 2022. And even if [player_tooltip player_id='139261' first='Ju'Juan' last='Johnson'] were to stick with his Colorado pledge for 2024, landing Hills would keep the LCA-to-LSU pipeline flowing and provide another big, talented athlete up front defensively in a position group that can never have enough depth. Potentially adding McKinley and Hills to Breaux — and, depending on how he's used positionally, Cobbins — in the current haul would go a long way in solidifying the line rotation for years to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='285269' first='De'Myrion' last='Johnson'] — 6-3, 280 DL — Westgate   Another big defensive lineman from the Lafayette area that would be a nice addition to the Tigers' rotation up front. Johnson is also the latest high-profile prospect coming out of a consistently talented Westgate program that has seen standouts Danny Lewis and Derek Williams leave the state for Alabama and Texas, respectively, the past two years. So getting back on the right track in landing talent from New Iberia would be an additional notable perk.   [player_tooltip player_id='285194' first='Trey'Dez' last='Green'] — 6-7, 210 ATH — East Feliciana   LSU has appeared well-positioned for the two-sport star just a bit north of town since at least last summer, but still hasn't garnered the commitment announcement as out-of-state programs continue their pushes. Green could realistically develop into a standout on either side of the ball, but has spent much of his young football career as a pass-catcher. So three great signings at tight end in 2023 and another already committed for 2024 haven't left a particularly large need in that regard compared to other areas. But Green is a special athlete.   [player_tooltip player_id='421606' first='Joel' last='Rogers'] — 6-1, 185 ATH — West Feliciana   The Saints' versatile and fast-rising quarterback and safety has seemed to fly somewhat under the recruiting radar — at least from a headlines standpoint — compared to most, if not all, of his peers on this list. But Rogers is a playmaker that the Tigers shouldn't let leave the state. Fortunately for Kelly and company, they indeed appear well-positioned to keep him home.

LSU wraps up its 2023 spring practice period Saturday with its annual spring game, and its 2024 class should start seeing another run of notable additions in the process.