LSU moves up in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after pair of commitments

After claiming the top spot in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings early, LSU slowed a touch on the recruiting trail and entered July with the No. 5 class in the nation.

Thanks to a pair of commitments on Friday, the Tigers jumped the Georgia Bulldogs for the No. 4 spot overall and now sit with the No. 2 class in the SEC. Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie four-star defensive lineman Brandon Brown and Indianapolis Warren Central four-star EDGE Damien Shanklin each joined the pledge list as commitments No. 14 and 15 for Brian Kelly and Co. this cycle.

“Just felt comfortable talking to Coach (Kevin) Peoples and building that bond,” Shanklin told On3 of his decision. “And felt like I was home when I was there as well.”

Six top-100 commits are in the class and the Tigers are still heavily in the mix for multiple top uncommitted prospects.

LSU eyeing serious haul on both sides of the ball this cycle

It all starts with Belleville (Mich.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation. Committed since Jan. 6, the elite gunslinger is locked in with the Tigers.

“What is the point of committing if you are not ready to be committed?,” Underwood told The Bengal Tiger at the On3 Elite Series in May. “Worry about the school you are committed to. That’s mainly what it is. If you are committed to a school, stay committed to a school. Don’t commit too early, commit when you feel like it’s right.”

Underwood’s commitment came just three days after Metairie (La.) St. Martin’s Episcopal five-star running back Harlem Berry made the call in favor of the in-state program. The 5-foot-10 burner is the No. 17 prospect and top-ranked RB in the cycle.

Marion (Ark.) four-star interior offensive lineman Carius Curne and Tampa Robinson four-star EDGE Jesse Harrold each committed in June. Curne, a former Arkansas pledge, is On’3 top-ranked IOL in the nation, while Harrold is also an On3 outlier, checking in at No. 66 overall in the On300.

Curne is one of three elite interior lineman in the LSU class. He flanks Laurel (Miss.) four-star Tyler Miller and Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist four-star Devin Harper — both of whom are also top-100 overall recruits.

Alexandria (La.) four-star RB JT Lindsey is behind Berry in the backfield as the nation’s No. 11 RB. Other top commits include New Orleans Edna Karr four-star wide receiver TaRon Francis, Baton Rouge University Lab four-star linebacker Keylan Moses and Sulphur (La.) four-star tight end JD LaFleur.