On3 Industry Ranking top-20 ATH PJ Woodland commits to LSU

Days after reopening his recruitment, one of the nation’s best athletes out of Mississippi already has his mind made up.

PJ Woodland, the On3 Industry Rankings’s No. 19 ATH in the country out of Hattiesburg (Miss.) Oak Grove High School, committed to LSU. The one-time Mississippi State pledge reopened his recruitment earlier this week amid strong pushes behind the scenes from not only the Tigers, but Auburn and also the in-state Rebels.

The 6-foot, 165-pound Woodland was in Baton Rouge on Saturday for the Army game, the second time in as many weekends after also soaking up the Auburn contest last weekend. The LSU coaching staff, which worked Woodland out over the summer, quickly turned up the heat on one of the best defensive back prospects out of the Sip.

“It means everything to me,” Woodland told On3.

“It’s a blessing to be in this position and I’m grateful to continue to be playing football at an excellent program,” he continued. “Why not go to ‘DBU’ when you play DB?”

LSU’s cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples worked one-on-one with Woodland during June’s camp session and never took his foot off the gas with the three-star hybrid defensive back since.

Amid Woodland’s strong senior season at Oak Grove, Cooks has been a mainstay. That has opened up the door for a pair of visits to Baton Rouge as well as a closer glimpse into his fit in Steeples’ plans for the position down the road.

“I’ve been in contact with the staff for some time already. They’ve been on me like I’m already enrolled,” Woodland said. “Those guys have definitely made me and my family feel welcomed.”

After two visits to LSU in October, Woodland quickly opened his recruitment and subsequently shut it back down.

Despite strong interest from several other SEC programs, including those in his backyard, the Mississippi native loves his fit in The Boot.

“From talking with Coach Steeples and Coach (Eddie) Hicks, those guys believe I have what it takes to play at LSU,” he said. “I just want to continue to legacy of LSU and DBU.”

Like Woodland, Hicks is another Mississippi presence in the Tigers’ secondary room.

Woodland checks in as the No. 18 player in the Magnolia State for the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Overall, he’s tabbed as the No. 558 prospect in the nation.