LSU rises in On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings

LSU landed another win on the recruiting trail Tuesday by landing Baton Rouge (La.) Liberty Magnet High School four-star running back Kaleb Jackson. His pledge moved the Tigers to No. 7 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. LSU’s class is currently No. 3 in the SEC behind Alabama and Georgia.

Jackson chose the Tigers over multiple programs including the Crimson Tide and Texas A&M.

“They’ve done a terrific job of winning me over late,” Jackson told On3’s Sam Spiegelman of LSU. “They had a late start compared to the other coaches, but being here I’ve always wanted to go to LSU and do all that. The (old) coaching staff was gone and when Coach Frank (Wilson) and Coach Kelly came in, it was an amazing push. They made an amazing effort to get me to their school and so many encouraging words. They did great putting LSU back on my mind.”

Jackson is the No. 184 overall prospect and the No. 8 running back in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 13 player in Louisiana.

LSU continues momentum on the recruiting trail

Jackson’s commitment marks the continuation of a successful July on the recruiting trail for head coach Brian Kelly. Nine of LSU’s 15 commitments in its 2023 recruiting class have committed this month.

One of the Tigers’ most recent pledges includes Miami Gulliver Prep five-star wide receiver Jalen Brown, the No. 18 overall prospect and the No. 3 overall wide receiver in the On3 Consensus. A large factor in Brown’s decision was the opportunity to be coached by Kelly.

“Coach Kelly is a winner,” Brown told On3’s Chad Simmons. “He is a great coach that knows how to win and he had a lot of great teams at Notre Dame. They got to the playoffs and lost to some powerhouse programs, but now, at LSU, with the talent they have, he should be able to get over that hump, and win national championships.”

The Tigers started off July strong with pledges from three four-star EDGE prospects in Minneapolis (Minn.) Robbinsdale Cooper’s Jaxon Howard, Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy’s Dashawn Womack and Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence Central’s Joshua Mickens. LSU also added commitments from Columbus (Ga.) Carver four-star defensive lineman Darron Reed and Metairie (La.) Archbishop Rummel three-star safety Ashton Stamps.

Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman three-star cornerback Jeremiah Hughes committed to LSU on July 7, while Brown committed a day later. The Tigers also added Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County three-star linebacker Whit Weeks on July 9 before landing Jackson’s pledge.

The Tigers still in the hunt for top local prospects

In addition to Jackson, LSU is attempting to add more local recruits to its 2023 recruiting class. The Tigers are currently in good position with two of them.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Tigers have an 85.5% chance to land Marrero (La.) St. Augustine four-star offensive tackle Tyree Adams. The RPM also gives LSU an 81.4% chance to earn a commitment from Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic four-star wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr.

Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab four-star linebacker Jaiden Ausberry is also considering the Tigers. However, he is given a 61.8% chance by the RPM to commit to Notre Dame.