LSU trending to flip Houston 4-star safety commit Jacob Bradford

At the end of July, LSU extended an offer to Houston four-star safety commit Jacob Bradford, a hometown prospect who plays for Baton Rouge Catholic.

Pledged to Houston since June 23, Bradford has since taken in a game at Tiger Stadium and returned for an official visit with LSU during its bye week this weekend. Now, the in-state SEC program is trending to flip him from the Cougars, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

On Sunday, On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong became the second insider to log a pick in favor of LSU landing Bradford, joining The Bengal Tiger’s Billy Embody, who logged his pick at the end of August.

Bradford is the No. 388 overall prospect and No. 36 safety in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 14 player in The Boot.

His younger brother, Blaine Bradford, is On3’s No. 9 overall prospect and top-ranked safety in the 2026 cycle and is also trending to the hometown program. Both were in to see LSU defeat UCLA last month, and their father gave high remarks when speaking with Wiltfong about the visit.

“LSU stands high with the Bradfords,” Stacy Bradford said. “Blaine and Jacob are Baton Rouge kids, and will always love LSU no matter what decision is made. These two young men have done a great job with the recruiting process. I am so happy with how they are juggling life, school and football. We would be satisfied with any choice they make. It is on them at this point.”

LSU looking for more local recruiting wins

Brian Kelly and his staff have continued to prioritize in-state recruiting, as nine of the top 15 players in Louisiana this cycle are already committed to LSU. That includes five-star running back pledge Harlem Berry and top-100 offensive lineman Devin Harper.

LSU’s class ranks No. 3 in the nation and No. 2 in the SEC, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The class features 26 commitments, nine of whom are top-100 prospects. Five-Star Plus+ quarterback commit Bryce Underwood is the No. 1 player in the nation, while Five-Star Plus+ cornerback commit DJ Pickett checks in at No. 9.

Pickett is one of four defensive backs in LSU’s class, alongside four-star CB Kade Phillips, four-star safety Jhase Thomas and four-star CB Aidan Anding. Phillips, who flipped from Texas in August, is a top-150 recruit and a top-20 CB.