Top 100 recruit Cai Bates commits to LSU
2024 Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater defensive back Cai Bates committed to LSU, he announced on Wednesday. Bates picked the Tigers over Alabama, Colorado, Florida State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Ohio State.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Bates ranks as the No. 92 overall prospect, No. 12 cornerback in America and No. 11 prospect in Florida.
Last month, LSU hosted the four-star defensive back for an official visit. He was the only secondary prospect on campus for the visit and LSU was able to impress him in a big way.
“I would say the culture really stands out,” Bates said. “Coach Kelly came in and changed the trajectory of it with the people around the program and staff. Then the fans and players and area, that won’t ever change. I feel like that’s really big. They also have everything planned out as far as my brand. They want me to come in and compete to play as a true freshman. They really let that be known.”
He was also in attendance for the LSU Spring Game in April, and the push made by Steeples and head coach Brian Kelly spoke volumes with the four-star prospect and his family.
“It was my favorite out of all the schools I’ve been to,” Bates told The Bengal Tiger. “I got a warming feeling and just felt genuine unlike any school that I’ve been at. Coach Steeples is a really good person to be around and I fell like I would excel under his coaching. I spent a good amount of time with Coach Kelly and just got a great feel for the school, even hung out with the team after the spring game.
“Coach Kelly has been recruiting me hard and has built a great relationship with my family. Making it known that I’m a priority for LSU. (Coach Kelly) spent a bunch of time with me, the whole day on Friday, and I was in the loop before the spring game with the team in meetings.”
Bates joins a 2024 LSU class that is making a big move as of late, climbing up toward a Top 10 ranking.
