| 30 January 2012
LSU added their 22nd and 23rd commitments for the Class of 2012 on Monday night when Oxford, MS quarterback Jeremy Liggins (pictured) and Missouri City, TX safety Corey Thompson committed to LSU.
Liggins has some serious stones. He announced his intentions to spurn Ole Miss and go to LSU in downtown Oxford in a place filled with Ole Miss fans. Liggins is an exceptional athlete and a good looking quarterback prospect. He is certainly not polished as a passer, but he has the raw tools and the potential to develop into a good player.
Texas safety Corey Thompson has been committed to Texas A&M for a while but their coaching change caused him to look around. He took an official visit to LSU and decided to become a Tiger on Monday night Thompson is a really good looking prospect who has great size and combine numbers. He's probably better suited as a strong safety but shows pretty good range too. He is a heck of a pick-up for LSU and helps ease the sting of losing the nation's top safety prospect from LSU's backyard.
It appears that John Thomas will not sign with LSU on Wednesday as initially planned due to some academic concerns. LSU still wants him to be a part of this class but they need to make certain that Thomas will be eligible prior to signing him. By having Thomas wait, LSU can potentially have him sit out a semester while he gets in grades in order without taking up one of the 25 spots.
So that puts LSU at 22 players expected to sign Wednesday and room for potentially three more. Who is left on the board? In no particular order...
Oxford, Alabama linebacker Kwon Alexander remains a possibility. It does not appear that Alabama has a spot for him; although, the rumor mill has indicated that they could take him at the last minute. Auburn and LSU remain his other options. Many on the LSU side feel good about Alexander, and he seems to be pretty quiet. Scout rates Alexander as the nation's #3 outside linebacker and #52 player overall. ESPN rates him as the #29 overall player in the nation. 247 Sports also thinks highly of him, ranking him the #9 OLB in the nation and #104 overall. Alexander suffered a knee injury his senior season which dropped him off the radar of many schools.
Alexander's teammate, Trae Elston, visited LSU officially on Sunday and will make a final decision sometime soon. Elston is a defensive back who could play either corner or safety at the next level. Elston shows very good ball skills and looks like he'd be best suited as a free safety. Early in the recruiting process, Elston had an awfully impressive list of offers. However, his final decision will supposedly come between LSU, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss although I would not rule out the home state schools either.
Junior college wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson still has LSU on his list but is tough to get a read on. Patterson is also considering Tennessee, Auburn, Georgia, and Ole Miss. With Rueben Randle off to the NFL, the opportunity is there at LSU for Patterson to step right in and contribute immediately as a big receiver and deep threat. Originally from South Carolina, he could choose to stay closer to home and play at either Georgia or Tennessee.
Carencro defensive lineman Jacoby Briscoe also remains a possibility. Briscoe is currently a commitment to Miami. At 6'4" 290 pounds, Briscoe shows off a lot of play making ability playing both defensive end and defensive tackle. With no defensive tackles in this class, LSU certainly has the need. Briscoe has always shown flashes of immense talent, but the knock on him has been consistency in that he does not "bring it" on every play. To me, he seems worthy of a scholarship in hopes that the light bulb can come on in the effort department. LSU has reportedly visited Briscoe within the last week. And if the Tigers have room, they could offer and likely flip him from Miami.
Here are some highlights of both of LSU's newest commitments:
