Four-star RB Caden Durham commits to LSU over Oklahoma, Texas A&M

After a summer of wrestling with this decision, the verdict is in.

On300 running back Caden Durham kicked off the first day of school at Duncanville (Texas) High School with his commitment to LSU. The Tigers edged out Oklahoma and also Texas A&M for the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 8-ranked running back.

Durham, who was originally set to make his college commitment on August 25, had a change of heart after more time spent in the Bayou this summer. The Sooners legacy made a pair of visits to Baton Rouge in as many months this summer and has been the top priority target at the running back position for associate head coach Frank Wilson and the Tigers in this 2024 recruiting cycle.

“From Coach John (Jancek), Coach Frank, Coach Sherm (Wilson) … I’m close with all of the coaches and every one of the staff,” Durham told On3. “Every time I come down there, it’s like family showing love, the people there, the whole nine yards.”

“The athletes there work hard, but they also have fun and you could see that when we were there … everyone was laughing,” he continued. “It isn’t all about football; they’re also worried about life after football.”

LSU made Durham a top priority in the past few months

Durham made a pair of visits to LSU this summer after a spring visit to campus back in April. His recruitment really kicked into gear following a breakout junior campaign compounded by an equally as impressive showing on the track this spring.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound speedster turned 210 attempts into 1,960 yards (9.33 YPC) and 36 touchdowns for the Panthers in 2022 en route to a 6A state title. Durham added another nine receptions for 93 yards and another score. One of the fastest running backs in America. Durham clocked personal-best times on the track this spring — with a 10.25-second 100-meter dash and a 21.12-second 200-meter dash.

At LSU, he saw opportunities to succeed on the field and beyond.

“Between Coach Frank and Coach Sherm, they’ve probably sent 17 running backs to the league,” Durham explained. “They know what it takes to get to the league and to be the only running back they recruited is huge for me.”

“It stood out a lot,” he continued on the priority treatment from the Tigers. “They trusted me as a four-down back — on first down, second down, third down, and fourth down, to catch out of the backfield, to block, on short yardage, and that means a lot because I know what I can do.”

Durham ranks as the No. 105 overall prospect in the country, per the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also checks in as the No. 21 overall player from the talented Lone Star State in this 2024 recruiting cycle.