Updated LSU football recruiting tracker: A look at the Tiger’ current commits

A look at LSU’s current list of football commits for coach Brian Kelly …

CLASS OF 2023

ZALANCE HEARD

OT

6-5, 300

School: Neville (Monroe, Louisiana)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: September 1

The skinny: Chose LSU over Nebraska, Florida, Florida State and Houston … State’s highest-rated offensive tackle …. Rated No. 50 overall prospect by On3 and No. 5 offensive tackle … Started in his first season at Neville, opposite Will Campbell, and was named to the Class 4A All-State first team … Began his career at Bastrop and was named to the all-district first team at defensive tackle before transferring to Neville for the 2021 season … Had a total of 19 scholarship offers that included LSU on March 30. Also took two unofficial visits to LSU

KHAI PREAN

ATH

6-0, 190

School: St. James (Vacharie, Louisiana)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: August 16

The skinny: Chose LSU over Auburn, Florida State and Mississippi State … Rated as high as the nation’s No. 9 athlete by On3Sports. Is rated No. 16 by 247Sports and No. 22 by Rivals at that position … Starter at Class 1A Ascension Catholic before transferring to Class 3A St. James where he’s awaiting an eligibility ruling from the LHSAA to play the 2022 season … Played running back, wide receiver, secondary and returned kicks at Ascension Catholic and was honorable mention Class 1A All-State in 2020 … Helped Bulldogs to second round of Division IV state playoffs in 2021 a year after they went 7-0 during the regular season and were upset in the first round of the state playoffs in ’20

KYLIN JACKSON

S

6-2, 195

School: Zachary High (Zachary, Louisiana)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: August 13

The skinny: Chose LSU over Texas A&M … Provides Tigers with a third four-star safety in the recruiting class … Two-year starter at Zachary after starting his career at Class 2A East Feliciana High … Regarded as a tremendous hitter for an aggressive defense … Is rated as high as the nation’s eighth-best safety by Rivals.com … Rivals.com also rates him as high as the No. 108 Class of 2023 overall player … Selected to the Class 5A first team All-State team and All-District 4-5A team with 74 tackles, 11 pass break-ups and an interception and fumble recovery … Helped Broncos to 15-0 season and the school’s fourth Class 5A state championship in 2021

RICKIE COLLINS

QB

6-2, 190

School: Woodlawn High (Baton Rouge)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: August 10

The skinny: Chose LSU after being committed to Purdue for nearly nine months … Took an official visit to Florida State and said Penn State made a late run after his decommitment to Purdue Aug. 1 … Filled a void as LSU’s lone quarterback commitment in the Class of 2023 … Three-year starter and three-sport standout who also excelled in basketball and baseball before focusing only on football as a junior in 2021 … Was the District 5-5A Offensive MVP after passing for nearly 2,000 yards and leading the Panthers to the second round of the state playoffs … Is the nation’s No. 2 dual-threat quarterback according to Rivals.com … Is rated No. 12 and No. 13 by 247Sports and On3Sports, respectively, at his position … Is rated as high as the No. 103rd overall player by Rivals … Reached the finals of the elite Elite 11 quarterback competition in the summer

SHELTON SAMPSON JR.

WR

6-4, 180

School: Catholic High (Baton Rouge)

247Sports stars: 5

Committed: August 7

The skinny: Chose LSU over Florida State, Alabama and Texas A&M during a ceremony at his school … Chief recruiters on LSU staff were quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton … Was part of Division I state championship team in 2021 with current LSU offensive guard Emery Jones that went 12-1 … First five-star prospect in LSU’s current class … Is the state’s third-ranked player and nation’s No. 24 prospect by Rivals.com and No. 24 by 247Sports …. Is the nation’s composite No. 5 wide receiver … Earned Class 5A All-State honorable mention honores with 40 receptions for 932 yards and 8 TDs … Also returned 10 kickoffs for an average of 19.8 yards

TYREE ADAMS

OL

6-6, 285

School: St. Augustine High (New Orleans)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 29

The skinny: Chose LSU over Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Ole Miss … Committed to the Tigers following an unofficial visit … Plays left tackle in high school … From same high school as LSU assistant coaches Frank Wilson, Cortez Hankton and analyst Carter Sheridan … Ranked as the No. 20 Class of 2023 offensive tackle recruit nationally and the No. 13 recruit in Louisiana, according to 247Sports … Rated the 105th overall recruit and No. 10 offensive tackle nationally by On3 …. Helped Purple Knights to 5-5 record and advance to the second round of the Division I state playoffs in 2021

PAUL MUBENGA

OL

6-4, 270

School: Buford High (Buford, Georgia)

247Sports stars: 3

Committed: July 14

The skinny: Also had Texas A&M, South Carolina, North Carolina and Michigan in his final five … Plays left tackle in high school … Visited Auburn, Michigan, West Virginia and Pitt during a one-week span in early April … Received offers from programs including South Carolina, Kentucky, Miami, Virginia Tech, Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee and Grambling during April and May … LSU extended its offer April 23 … Ranked as the No. 62 Class of 2023 offensive tackle recruit nationally and the No. 70 recruit in Georgia, according to 247Sports Composite

KALEB JACKSON

RB

5-10, 200

School: Liberty Magnet High (Baton Rouge)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 12

The skinny: The No. 6 running back nationally and No. 12 recruit in Louisiana according to 247Sports Composite, which also has Jackson as the No. 192 overall 2023 recruit in the country … Named to the Louisiana Class 4A All-State first team after rushing 138 times for 2,031 yards with 29 touchdowns last season … Also was a sure-handed receiver in Liberty’s spread offense, making 21 catches for 394 yards and four scores … Frank Wilson, back for a second stint as LSU’s running backs coach after stops as head coach at UTSA and McNeese, was instrumental in recruiting Jackson

WHIT WEEKS

LB

6-2, 205

School: Oconee County High (Watkinsville, Georgia)

247Sports stars: 3

Committed: July 9

The skinny: The No. 51 linebacker nationally and No. 55 recruit in Georgia according to 247Sports Composite … 247 has him ranked as the country’s No. 43 linebacker … Picked LSU over Georgia and Oklahoma … Visited Georgia and Ole Miss in June, and Oklahoma, which offered him last season, earlier this year … LSU originally its offer on Jan. 13 … Also received offers from Stanford, USC, Utah, Duke and Ole Miss since junior season concluded … Younger brother of current LSU linebacker West Weeks, who transferred to LSU after appearing in 11 games with one start at Virginia in 2021 … Father David Weeks was a three-year starter on the offensive line for Georgia from 1991-95

JALEN BROWN

WR

6-2, 178

School: Gulliver Prep (Miami, Florida)

247Sports stars: 5

Committed: July 8

The skinny: The consensus No. 5 wide receiver nationally and composite No. 9 prospect in Florida according to 247Sports … On3Sports rates him as high as the No. 22 overall player in the country … Picked LSU over Miami, Florida State, Michigan and Texas A&M … Has 10.66 speed in the 100 and 21.36 in the 200, representing a legit big-play threat LSU covets … Committed to play in NBC Sports’ 2023 All-American Bowl … Selected to MaxPrep.com’s All-America second team and the Miami Herald’s All-Dade County team in 2021 after averaging 120.3 total yards per game … Averaged 27.8 yards per catch in 2020 (18 catches for 500 yards, 8 TDs) and 18.4 in 2021 (56 catches for 1,033 yards, 11 TDs) … Also finished last season with 218 yards on kickoff returns

Gulliver Prep (11-2) advanced to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs in Florida, falling 36-33 to Cardinal Gibbons during a game in which Brown caught five passes for 35 yards and added 46 yards of kickoff return yardage.

JEREMIAH HUGHES

CB

6-1, 175

School: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nevada)

247Sports stars: 3

Committed: July 7

The skinny: A consensus No. 6 prospect in Nevada, earning a No. 5 rating in his home state from 247Sports … Ranked the No. 53 cornerback by 247Sports and No. 65 by On3Sports. … Picked LSU over Arkansas, Washington and Utah. … Was offered by LSU on Feb. 27; took an unofficial visit to the school Feb. 27 and an official visit June 21 … Secondary coach Robert Steeples was LSU’s lead recruiter … Fits prototypical mold of high-end cornerbacks with great length and instincts … High school went 12-1, winning its 11th state title in 13 years with 56-7 victory in 5A championship game … Was credited with 13 tackles over 10 games in 2021 

DASHAWN WOMACK

DE

6-5, 255

School: St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 4

The skinny: Maryland’s top-rated prospect by On3Sports, which also ranks him as the No. 58 overall prospect and No. 9 strong side defensive end … Ranked No. 106 overall by 247Sports, No. 16 at his position and No. 2 in Maryland … Picked LSU over Georgia, Ole Miss and Oregon … Made official visit to LSU on June 21 … Defensive line coach Jamar Cain was LSU’s lead recruiter … Plans to sign in December and enroll in January … Was a teammate of current LSU sophomore safety Jordan Toles at St. Frances … High school went 8-1 with eight consecutive wins including a 34-24 victory over national powerhouse IMG Academy  

DARRON REED

DL

6-4, 270

School: Carver High (Columbus, Georgia)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 4

The skinny: Rated as high as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the country, No. 2 recruit in Georgia and No. 29 recruit nationally according to On3Sports.com … Picked LSU over Ohio State, Auburn and Miami … Made official visit to LSU on June 10. …. Defensive line coach Jamar Cain was LSU’s lead recruiter for Reed. …. Was offered a scholarship to LSU by the previous coaching staff … Was credited with 30 tackles in four games; had 10 tackles for loss including seven sacks, seven QB hurries and a pass deflection … Carver went 12-2 and advanced to the Georgia Class 4A state championship game, losing 35-28 against three-time defending champion Benedictine  

ASHTON STAMPS

CB

6-1, 175

School: Archbishop Rummel (New Orleans)

247Sports stars: 3

Committed: July 4

The skinny: Saw his profile rise after taking part in LSU’s Elite football camp, earning a scholarship after working out at both cornerback and safety … Selected LSU over scholarship offers from Missouri, Nebraska and Tulane … Is rated by 247 Sports as the nation’s No. 78 cornerback and No. 32 prospect in Louisiana … On3 has him ranked No. 82 at his position and No. 42 in Louisiana … Helped Rummel (4-5) to the second round of the Division I state playoffs against Brother Martin

JOSHUA MICKENS

DE

6-5, 225

School: Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, Indiana)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 3

The skinny: Rated as high as the No. 17 edge rusher in the country by 247Sports … Is the No. 2 prospect in Indiana according to both 247Sports and On3Sports and is rated as high as the No. 117 overall player by On3 … Picked LSU over North Carolina, Michigan State and Iowa … Made official visit to LSU on June 10 and North Carolina on May 20 … Defensive line coach Jamar Cain was LSU’s lead recruiter for Howard, whose father Arnold was a running back at Butler and for the Indianapolis Colts for two years … Has 126 career tackles with 31 tackles for losses, 15 sacks, seven passes broken up and five caused fumbles … Had 70 of those tackles in 2021 with 22 1/2 TFLs, 12 sacks and five forced fumbles   

JAXON HOWARD

DE

6-4, 245

School: Robbinsdale Cooper High (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 1

The skinny: Rated as high as the No. 5 edge rusher in the country, No. 1 recruit in Minnesota and No. 196 recruit nationally according to both 247Sports and Rivals.com … Picked LSU over Miami, Minnesota and Michigan … Had more than 60 offers … Team went 11-4 and advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs in 2021 … Made unofficial visit to LSU on April 23 and official visit on June 21. …. Defensive line coach Jamar Cain was LSU’s lead recruiter for Howard, who plays for his father Willie in high school. Willie Howard played at Stanford and was a second-round draft choice in 2001 by the Minnesota Vikings   

KYLE PARKER

WR

5-10, 175

School: Lovejoy High (Lucas, Texas)

247Sports stars: 3

Committed: June 23

The skinny: Speedster made an official visit to LSU and worked out at a Tigers’ camp under the guidance of receivers coach Cortez Hankton, then committed two weeks later … LSU’s first Class of 2023 receiver commit … Chose the Tigers over offers from Texas, Louisville, Oklahoma State and SMU; also made official visits to Louisville, Oklahoma State and Texas … Clocked at 10.89 seconds in the 100 in a district track meet … First team Texas All-District 7-5A Division II pick in 2021 after catching 47 passes for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns; also returned 22 punt returns for 403 yards (18.3 yards per return) and two touchdowns for a 1202 team that advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs … Rated as the nation’s No. 43 wide receiver according to On3Sports, No. 55 by 247Sports and No. 70 according to 247Sports Composite; No. 55 prospect in Texas according to On3Sports … His father graduated from LSU

DAYLEN AUSTIN

CB

6-1, 180

School: Long Beach Polytechnic High (Long Beach, California)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: May 16

The skinny: Ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the No. 16 cornerback in the country, No. 10 recruit in California and No. 143 recruiting nationally … Invited to the 2023 Under Armour All-America game … Helped Poly to a 11-4 record last season with 44 total tackles, two interceptions, 11 deflections, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery … Chose LSU over six other finalists – Alabama, Penn State, Oregon, Georgia, Nebraska, Michigan State and Southern Cal … Committed to LSU in mid-May, but still planned to take other official visits including ones to Michigan State and Penn State

TREY HOLLY

RB

5-8, 180

School: Union Parish High (Farmerville, Louisiana)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: May 15

The skinny: Ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the No. 10 running back nationally, No. 14 recruit in Louisiana and No. 184 overall recruit in the country … Ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 2 all-purpose back in the country, No. 9 recruit in the state and No. 84 recruit nationally … He’s Louisiana’s sixth active rushing leader with 7,829 yards and needs 977 more to break the current state record of 8,806 yards held by Nicholas Brossette of University High, who also played as an eighth grader … Two-time Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year playing for a team that’s been the state runner-up each of the past two seasons … Had 296 carries last season for 2,633 yards and 33 touchdowns … Has 108 rushing TDs along with 39 pass receptions for 742 yards and six TDs … Picked LSU’s offer over ones from programs including Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Louisville, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Purdue, South Carolina, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC and Utah … Committed on May 15

RYAN YAITES

S

6-1, 174

School: Guyer High (Denton, Texas)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: April 15

The skinny: Already picked to play in next year’s Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando … The No. 7 safety in the country, No. 24 recruit in Texas and No. 128 recruit nationally according to 247Sports Composite … Rated No. 73 nationally by Rivals.com … Selected LSU over a list of finalists that included Cal, Ole Miss and Texas Tech … Originally was recruited by coach Brian Kelly when Kelly was at Notre Dame … All-district pick had 42 tackles with eight pass breakups last year for a 14-2 team that reached the Texas 6A Division II state championship game … Took an unofficial visit to LSU on March 5

MICHAEL DAUGHERTY

S

6-1, 180

School: Grayson High (Loganville, Georgia)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: April 13

The skinny: The No. 9 safety in the country, No. 12 recruit in Georgia and No. 124 recruit nationally according to 247Sports … Picked LSU over North Carolina, Auburn, Miami, Georgia, Louisville and Texas … Had more than 40 offers … Team went 14-0 and won a state championship in 2020, then returned to the Georgia Class 7A state title game in 2021 … Had 91 tackles including 15.5 for loss and four sacks last year; 46 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery as a sophomore and 31 tackles with three pass breakups as a freshman   

MAC MARKWAY

TE

6-4, 250

School: De Smet Jesuit High (St. Louis, Missouri)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: March 24

The skinny: The No. 7 tight end in the country, No. 3 recruit in Missouri and No. 99 recruit nationally according to 247Sports Composite … LSU’s first commit with Brian Kelly as coach … He was a Florida commit before Billy Napier replaced the fired Dan Mullen … Chose LSU over Miami, Ohio State and Iowa … Father Mark Markway played tight end at Iowa … Has family ties to Louisiana … Made an official visit in late June … Played at De Smet as a sophomore under new LSU cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples … Current Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo also was a teammate at De Smet

CLASS OF 2024

ZION FERGUSON

Defensive back

6-0, 160

School: Grayson High (Loganville, Georgia)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: September 4

The skinny: The third member of Grayson’s program to commit to LSU, joining teammates Michael Daughtery (Class of 2023) and athlete Joseph Stone (Class of 2024) … Ranked the No. 155 overall prospect by On3, while 247Sports has ranked him the No. 16 defensive back and No. 31 prospect in Georgia … Also received scholarship offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Michigan, Oregon, Michigan State, Nebraska, Louisville, South Carolina and Texas A&M. … Had made unofficial visits to Michigan State, Clemson and Alabama …. Had six tackles and a pass break up in Grayson’s 3-0 start to the 2022 season

TAYVION GALLOWAY

Tight End

6-5, 230

School: Chillicothe High (Chillicothe, Ohio)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 24

The skinny: The consensus No. 5 tight end in Class of 2024 in the country, No. 3 2024 recruit in Ohio and No. 128 2024 recruit nationally according to 247Sports Composite … Had a total of 27 scholarship offers, but chose the Tigers over scholarship offers from Michigan, Ole Miss, Auburn and Kentucky among others … Had developed a close relationship with LSU first-year offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock, who previously recruited Galloway during his career at Cincinnati … Made a pair of unofficial visits to LSU, including the school’s junior day in March and elite camp in June … Caught eight passes for 192 yards (24 yards per catch) and two touchdowns in 2021 at Unioto High School before transferring go Chillicothe High and played basketball during the 2021-22 season

JOSEPH STONE JR.

Athlete

5-11, 180

School: Grayson High (Loganville, Georgia)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: July 11

The skinny: The No. 12 Class of 2024 ‘athlete’ in the country, No. 16 2024 recruit in Georgia and No. 107 2024 recruit nationally according to 247Sports Composite … Ranked No. 173 in the ESPN ‘Junior’ 300 … He’s from the same Georgia high school as Michael Grayson, a Class of 2023 safety committed to LSU … Chose the Tigers’ scholarship offer from among a few dozen, and put on an LSU hat during a commitment ceremony only after teasing onlookers to putting on an Oklahoma cap … Also was considering Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Oregon and Miami among others at the time he committed … Visited LSU in June; also visited Texas A&M in June and Louisville in May … Attracted to LSU by its history of producing standout NFL receivers … Nicknamed ‘Jojo’ … Earned Adidas All-American mention after his sophomore season

XAVIER ATKINS

LB

6-2, 200

School: Jonesboro-Hodge High (Jonesboro, Louisiana)

247Sports stars: 3

Committed: July 5

The skinny: Chose LSU over offers from Missouri, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Louisiana Tech … Was previously committed to Missouri … Ranked as the No. 40 2024 linebacker nationally by On3Sports.com, No. 28 by Rivals.com and No. 23 by 247Sports … Is ranked No. 6 in Louisiana by both 247Sports and On3Sports and No. 7 by Rivals.com … Played a significant role in Jonesboro-Hodge’s run to the Class 2A state semifinal game, where the Tigers lost 35-26 at Amite … Led JHHS with 219 credited total tackles, 28 tackles for loss and two interceptions to earn a spot on the Class 2A All-State first team as a sophomore

MAURICE WILLIAMS III

S

6-2, 185

School: Shadow Creek High (Pearland, Texas)

247Sports stars: 4

Committed: June 18

The skinny: Committed after making an unofficial visit to LSU that followed unofficial visits to Ohio State and Texas too … Chose the Tigers over offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and USC … Ranked as the No. 3 2024 safety nationally by Rivals.com, No. 6 by 247Sports, No. 10 according to 247Sports Composite; No. 8 in Texas and No. 60 nationally according to 247Sports … Spent his freshman year at Episcopal High in Bellaire before transferring to Shadow Creek, which went 9-3 and advanced to the third round of the Texas state playoffs in 2021 … Had 46 total tackles including eight in a playoff loss to Houston-King, one fumble recovery, an interception and a blocked punt as a sophomore