LSU looking to add elite DBs to top-ranked recruiting class

LSU currently sits atop the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after an unbelievable start to the 2025 cycle.

The Tigers have pledges from the No. 1 quarterback, running back and wide receiver in the On3 Industry Ranking. Nine recruits are committed in total — all of whom are four or five-stars. While Brian Kelly and his staff have already made a major splash, 2025 recruiting in Baton Rouge is far from over.

LSU is still looking to reel in plenty of big fish — including a few high-profile defensive backs. Thus far, New Iberia (La.) Westgate four-star cornerback and top-50 recruit Jaboree Antoine is the lone DB in the class.

On the latest edition of The Inside Scoop, LSU recruiting insider Shea Dixon broke down other top corners and safeties that could be added in the mix on The Bayou as the new cycle treks on, as well as the importance of defensive backs coach Corey Raymond returning to LSU.

LSU surging for No. 1 safety DJ Pickett

Zephyrhills (Fla.) five-star safety DJ Pickett carried a great relationship with Raymond while he was at Florida. Upon Raymond’s return to LSU, Pickett garnered some interest in the Tigers and set up a midweek visit at the end of January.

Coming out of that trip, the Tigers landed in Pickett’s updated top five schools and appear to be one of the frontrunners for his commitment, as of February.

“That was a big splash immediately by Corey Raymond, right? You hire Raymond, who had been (at LSU) a decade, he goes to Florida for two years, he’s back as a secondary coach at LSU now and he’s re-offered these guys in Florida. A pre-existing relationship there helps,” Dixon said.

Pickett, the No. 1 safety and No. 7 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, is now planning to return to Baton Rouge for an official visit. If not for Raymond, LSU likely wouldn’t have had the opportunity to show the 6-foot-3, 170-pounder what it has to offer.

“(Pickett) pointed to his relationship with Raymond as why he wanted to go check out LSU — and then he sees everything else … yes, I think that Raymond got the foot in the door there, but when you’re able to put the entire package in front of him, I think that’s what really has LSU in a good spot,” Dixon said.

Tigers entering the race for 4-star CB Cobey Sellers

It’s Oklahoma that’s currently trending for Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek four-star CB Cobey Sellers in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), but don’t count out LSU in this race. Kelly, Raymond and the Tigers are no strangers to pulling top recruits out of The Lone Star State.

Sellers recently labeled LSU as ‘home’ to On3’s Sam Spiegelman. It’s clear that this is another recruitment that Raymond is making a major impact on — which could benefit the Tigers.

“He’s a guy who a number of schools are recruiting, and I think we’re going to start to hear more about Cobey Sellers. He was unable to make it to their recruiting weekend in January, now we’re in a dead period. When you look at the month of March, they will start spring ball, they love bringing guys in for practices, I expect guys like (Sellers) to end up visiting for practices,” Dixon said.

LSU also pushing for legacy 4-star CB Dorian Brew

In the case of Conroe (Texas) four-star CB Dorian Brew, Ohio State was viewed as the favorite when he was expected to commit at the end of January. That announcement has since been pushed back, allowing the likes of LSU and Texas to try and get closer to the front of the pack for the top-25 prospect.

LSU and Ohio State are both legacy schools for the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder.

“He’s had heavy interest in Ohio State, he’s also an Ohio State legacy recruit,” Dixon said. “You’ve got legacy on both sides there. Now, he’s in Texas, he’s closer to LSU, Raymond is all over him, he already made a surprise visit right before the dead period hit, so the interest is obviously there.”

What could also play to the advantage of the Tigers is that the Buckeyes already have commitments from the top pair of CBs in the 2025 cycle — Na’eem Offord and Devin Sanchez. LSU could become the beneficiary of an already-loaded DB room in Columbus.

“Look at Ohio State’s class right now, they are on a roll when it comes to stacking up DBs. At some point, is LSU able to get a foot in the door with a guy like him, because he has been considered trending to Ohio State — and for good reason, but with the hires that LSU just did in January, and Ohio State started to add other corners, it has to help LSU’s case,” Dixon said.