Top 100 DL Gabriel Reliford becomes LSU's first 2024 signee
2024 Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian defensive lineman Gabriel Reliford committed to LSU earlier this month after flipping his pledge away from Texas A&M.
On the Wednesday of the Early Signing Period, Reliford became the first player to sign with the Tigers.
Reliford has piled up 251 tackles over the past two seasons. He has 15 sacks in that span. The 6-foot-2.5, 255-pounder from North Louisiana led the state in sacks each of the past two seasons.
Reliford committed to the Aggies over the summer, but reopened his recruitment after coaching changes in College Station.
LSU’s coaching staff turned up the heat over the past few months. Recruiters JR Belton, Frank Wilson, Sherman Wilson and Matt House along with head coach Brian Kelly are all key for Reliford.
“Just that I can come in and play big-time ball,” he told On3 of LSU’s message. “Be an impact player and that’s the biggest thing is being able to make an impact. They want me to play EDGE. They say that’s my body type, that’s how I play and they want me to play on the EDGE.”
Reliford is the No. 228 overall prospect and No. 23 DL in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
On3 ranks Reliford much higher than other recruiting services, as he checks in as the No. 59 recruit and No. 7 DL in the On300.
Reliford collected an offer from LSU over the summer and made two visits to Baton Rouge this fall before his official visit. USC, which hosted him for an official visit to Los Angeles in November, was his other finalist.
