Prized 2023 offensive lineman Paul Mubenga picks LSU

The decision came down to three schools for Buford (Ga.) three-star offensive lineman Paul Mubenga.

Michigan, Texas A&M, and LSU were all vying for the No. 53 interior offensive lineman in the On3 Consensus, but it was ultimately Brian Kelly and Co. that won out, earning a commitment from Mubenga on Thursday.

“The decision was really close and the deciding factor was LSU’s offensive line coach, Brad Davis,” he told On3. “His vision for me definitely is what sold me. LSU is a great program, they play in the SEC, and coach Davis’ plan was key in my decision. … Coach Davis loves my fit at LSU. He feels I can play all five positions for them. He likes my versatility and how I can fit into the offensive line group at LSU.”

Paul Mubenga has extremely high upside

The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder has one of the more unique stories in the 2023 class. He grew up playing soccer, but going into his freshman year at Buford, a football coach approached him and wanted him to join the team. He didn’t know much about the game at that point, and he says he struggled early on to understand it. Two years later, he has amassed better than 40 offers and chose between some of the country’s biggest programs.

“He loves my story and wants to use me as an example,” he said of Davis. “I have truly only been playing football for two years. Last year was my first year starting and being recruited how I am, and Coach Davis wants to use my story and me as an example. He wants to show that I am about more than just football. Coach Davis really likes me and who I am on and off the field.”

Visits changed the tide for LSU

Mubenga made his first trip to Baton Rouge for the Tigers’ spring game a few months ago. He was still in the process of learning about the program, but it opened his eyes to what Kelly and Davis were offering at LSU.

“After that, I could tell it was definitely a place I could be at,” he said. “Getting to know Coach Davis and meeting Coach Kelly that day had me really thinking about LSU. I liked the program, I liked the spring game experience, and it was the visit that put LSU up there for me.”

Still, he was leaning toward Michigan after taking an official visit to Ann Arbor on June 10. He tripped to Texas A&M a week after that, but still had the Wolverines on top. His official visit in Baton Rouge a week later shifted his top schools, though.

“My official visit to LSU was critical for me,” he said. “You have to experience things on the official visit and it gave me a great feeling at LSU. Me being on campus for 48 hours showed me a lot about LSU. I learned about their plans for the future and everything felt right when I was there. That visit played a major role in my decision.

… Going into the official visit to LSU, I was probably leaning towards Michigan, but that visit changed my feelings. The more I talked with Coach Davis and being able to see the passion at LSU, I was sold.”

Brian Kelly made a strong pitch to Mubenga

Kelly, LSU’s first-year head coach, has put together a special class thus far in the 2023 cycle. After coming over from Notre Dame, he has used a similar pitch in Baton Rouge that he did in South Bend. And that resonated with Paul Mubenga.

“He has a great vision for LSU,” Mubenga added. “It starts in the classroom. He pushes academics, he wants his players to do well off the field, and that stood out to me. The players are buying in to the new process and seeing that in person showed me a lot. Coach Kelly brings that winning mentality on and off the field and that created separation for LSU from the other schools.”