4-star safety CJ Jimcoily committed to LSU: 'The people at LSU were a big reason why I committed to LSU'

Alabama, LSU, Stanford and Tennessee were finalists for CJ Jimcoily and the four-star safety out of Nashville Lipscomb Academy has committed to the Tigers. Brian Kelly‘s program in Baton Rouge held off a late push from the Crimson Tide and the consistency from Stanford to land one of the best in Tennessee.

“The coaching staff and the environment at LSU felt like family,” Jimcoily told On3. “In Louisiana, it is different. My dad is from Louisiana, I have family there, and that is how the people are in that state. It is a big family in Louisiana and the people at LSU that recruited me made me feel that way. That feeling was different from anywhere else.

“The people at LSU were a big reason why I committed to LSU. They care for me and want the best for me. LSU showed me where I could get a good degree, internships I could take part in and how I could build strong relationships for my future as well. That was a factor for me also.

“I knew not going to Stanford I would have to give something up academically, but LSU showed me a great, how I can still get a strong degree and still be around great people and be developed as a football player. It came down to the wire, but I had that feeling LSU. Things clicked, the feeling came to me and LSU is the school.”

Now the No. 36 safety in the country has visions of himself playing in Tiger Stadium. The commitment is starting to settle in and become more real.

“There was a lot of prayer. I made the decision a couple of weeks ago and it is a great feeling. When I knew, I knew and now I have visions of the LSU crowd, I hear the noise and things like that keep coming to mind. It feels right. It is going to be amazing to play at LSU and I am constantly thinking about it.”

Jimcoily has ‘faith’ in Brian Kelly and the LSU coaching staff

LSU is going to compete for the top recruiting class this cycle. Jimcoily is commitment No. 20 for the Tigers and he feels the head coach has a lot to do with this success.

“I have a lot of love and faith in coach Kelly,” Jimcoily said. “He is building a monster recruiting class and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it. Coach Kelly is very passionate about LSU, recruits see it in his eyes and that had a big impact on me.

“Recruits are so excited about playing for LSU and coach Kelly. I have spoken with Bryce Underwood and other commits. They are recruiting me and are excited about the future at LSU. It started with coach Kelly and we all have the faith that he is building something special in Baton Rouge.”

Coach Kelly had an impact on Jimcoily’s decision. It was a big one, but no coach had a bigger impact than Jake Olsen, the safeties coach at LSU.

“I love coach Olsen. He has been the biggest component when talking about relationships. From the time he got to LSU, he was in touch me. Coach Olsen is so genuine and honest. We have a great relationship and nobody has recruited me harder. He has a special place in my heart because of who he is and how he put the time in to recruit me.”

Jacoby Stevens was a factor too. He is a former high school star in Tennessee that played at LSU and is now on staff.