by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
QUENCY WIGGINS 12/15
I'm told Wiggins has been aggressively pursued by Alabama's Nick Saban over the past week, however....Saban can't stop the fact that Wiggins chose to spend his last official visit at LSU over the weekend....and Saban doesn't change how many close friends Quency has on the Tigers' roster.....neither will Alabama's involvement alter where Quency calls "home".
This Wednesday, anything other than LSU would be a major shocker after both Tiger staffs made Wiggins their #1 defensive priority.
PREDICTION: LSU
HAROLD PERKINS 1/2
I'm told by Harold Perkins' Uncle Kevin Thomas, a New Orleans-native this about the next Head Coach Brian Kelly & his move to sign his nephew:
"They didn't visit yet, but I got a good feeling about it."
When I asked "why" he had a good feeling, Uncle Kevin said "I'm family...I know my family (with a Tiger emoji)."
In the end he said "let's just enjoy the ride" and gave me a good vibe about where things stand, specifically if LSU keep LBs Coach Blake Baker.
Perhaps Coach Kelly could call up Devin White during the visit and get that legendary linebacker to talk to Harold about joining the Tigers??
LSU must try everything....Perkins is there to be won and if Kelly can't make it happen with the resources & advantages LSU have in this scenario (Harold is from New Orleans), it would be a big miss.
Yes, Harold is visiting A&M this weekend for the final official visit, but I think Harold Perkins will spurn Texas A&M for the Tigers.....why?
Defensive Coordinator Mike Elko walked out the door, Harold has a yearning for a return to his Louisiana heritage, and he's watched how the Tigers played at the linebacker position this season, backing the historic tradition of great linebacker play and NFL development at LSU.
At this point, LSU are picking up a ton of steam....however, there's still quite a ways to go until Harold makes his announcement on January 2nd during the All-American Bowl game, scheduled to be live on NBC.
PREDICTION: LSU
KENDRICK LAW
Things with Law were quiet for a while, as the Captain Shreve jack-of-all-trades prodigy ping-ponged between LSU and Alabama....keeping his process close to the vest, refusing to do any press whatsoever.
In fact, LSUODYSSEY.COM have been talking with Kendrick's father for a bit, trying to gain permission to interview his son, something which has been difficult considering the recruiting media "misquoting" Kendrick Law.
From what I've gained over the past week, driving hard on Law's ambitions and what is really going on at the heart of his future desires, I feel like his goals & LSU's align....and Law is most likely starting to see that over the past few visits.
First, Law had a great time at the Texas A&M game, which proved to be a major breakthrough regarding Law's process. Then, starting with his official visit this past weekend, LSU & Law seem to be on the same page regarding his future position, as well:
At the collegiate level and beyond, Kendrick could legitimately play anywhere from safety, cornerback, receiver, & running back, as well as returning punts or kickoffs.....deciding where best to utilize and maximize his abilities is a big deal....it's only going to help having both the coaching staff & the player on the same page.
Kendrick is no prima donna, he's no flashy guy....he doesn't want to rep himself, whatsoever; Reminding me of Kayshon Boutte, Brian Thomas Jr or Derek Stingley Jr's extremely humble & reserved nature, I know one thing:
Kendrick just wants to be comfortable at a place where he's wanted, supported & where he can develop to his most elite level.
He knows that place is LSU.
PREDICTION: LSU
KAMARI WILSON 12/15
Geaux 247's Billy Embody reported throughout last week that Kamari Wilson would be in Baton Rouge for the 2022 class's final official visit before the dead period.....yet the IMG 5 star safety didn't quite make it to Louisiana.
Wilson ditching the Tigers for other locales on the final weekend doesn't bode well for his recruitment at LSU, that is unless he was able to communicate that change of heart with LSU's staff up front.
Only getting Wilson on campus for just one official visit has to sting...seeing him head off for Florida over this last weekend, hooking up with former DBU Miyagi Corey Raymond, was hard to take....especially after Billy Embody's trusted reporting led us to believe he would be visiting (I thought every reporter got crucified if they aren't Nostradamus and things change? Only if they're from Utah, I guess.😹😹)
At this point, I say regardless of the resources already invested in the 5 star, LSU should pump the breaks, focus on guys who you don't have to drag to LSU, and leave it be....if Wilson wants to come to LSU, then the door is open right here, right now....but once it's shut.....
PREDICTION: FLA
SHAZZ PRESTON 12/15??
Although Frank Wilson spent "8 hours" according to Tiger Details' Jimmy Smith, something St James High Head Coach Robert Valdez confirmed to me "it was something like that...a really, really long time...", Valdez laughed, it's difficult to tell whether Shazz had his mind changed or not.
"He really is holding his thoughts. Tough Call. I'm not sure if he has made up his mind. From all indications he's signing Wednesday."
Sadly, I feel the loss of Mickey Joseph was the final blow to the Tigers; adding Preston's repeated journeys to Tuscaloosa, his presence during Alabama's ugly 20-14 win over LSU, and the St James state champion using his final official visit to spend even more time at Alabama, I feel there's nothing telling me he's going to be a Tiger.
Unless he somehow suspends his decision to sign until February, giving LSU's staff a chance to collect themselves and make a concerted push, Preston may be a top tier player the Tigers are resigned to losing out on.
It's very tough to allow any Louisiana player to leave the state, let alone a "should be 5 star" boasting some next-level receiving attributes.
PREDICTION: ALABAMA
JULIAN ARMELLA
Armella's camp is very quiet, though they were excited by Brad Davis' in-home visit and news of his retention, there hasn't been any clear indications of where the St Thomas Aquinas OL will end up....but it appears the decision is between his father's alma mater Florida State & a few of Julian's STA teammates' LSU Tigers.
While former STA O-linemen & friends Marcus Dumervil and Marlon Martinez have both adapted to life in Baton Rouge nicely, as current teammate Mason Taylor looks to sign as the team's headline TE of the class, this could be about continuing a legacy at his father's Florida State.
I just haven't ever felt a gut vibe about Armella to LSU, regardless of the connections which could bring him here....there hasn't seemed to be any magnetism.
PREDICTION: FSU
DJ WESOLAK 12/15
Wesolak has been on the Odyssey radar for some time, but never did we think he would be headed to LSU.....that all changed once Coach Ed Orgeron was ousted & new Head Coach Brian Kelly took over.
The 6'4 Boonesville, Missouri legend is a tyrannical force on the edge, even showing versatility with touchdowns & big gains in the receiving game, too.
Over a three game period as a senior, Wesolak totaled 148 all purpose yards, 2 receiving TDs, 3.5 Tackles for loss, 36 total tackles, 2 appearances with double digit tackles, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 blocked field goal, 1 forced fumble.....I mean just look at the production from Wesolak's appearance vs Blair Oaks:
4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 blocked field goal....
The young man is a fiery player, and one Brian Kelly has re-offerred during his re-evaluation period. Following Wesolak's surprise official visit in Baton Rouge this weekend, I believe the edge-rushing hell-raiser is Tiger Bound.
PREDICTION: LSU
FITZGERALD WEST JR 12/15
No drama here....
While there was some debate as to whether Fitz West would move trenches, there seems to be no debate anymore about where the hugely underrated "3 star" DT/OT is headed.
Fitzgerald West will be signing as an LSU Tiger on Wednesday at Lafayette Christian Academy, looking to join his former teammate & close friend Sage Ryan on the 2022 roster.
Will is close pal and LCA teammate Jordan Allen also come aboard??
PREDICTION: LSU
LANDON IBIETA 12/15
A flip we've been calling since news of Kelly's offer came out, Landon Ibieta's situation is much like that of Jack Bech last year, or 2022's Danny Lewis from Westgate: highly talented players from the state of Louisiana who were somehow lost in the hazy priorities & personnel shuffle of Orgeron's recruiting regime.
Just in time, before LSU lose a huge local face-stealer to Miami, Kelly & his staff, notably new recruiting mastermind Brian Polian, have made sure Ibieta and his family understand he's a major class priority.
“Coach Polian called and let me know that I had an offer from LSU, and I was just really excited,” Ibieta said. “I was waiting for it for a while. And I got the news right before my birthday, which was cool.
Out of Mandeville, Ibieta is a star player, catching 714 yards and 14 TDs during 2020's pandemic-shortened campaign; Ibieta is also a major star for the Louisiana Bootleggers 7 on 7 team.
A quote which should tell you all about Landon:
“Going into this year, it’s all team-minded. I want to win for my team. I could care less about stats.”
PREDICTION: LSU
JORDAN ALLEN 12/15
After finally receiving a long awaited offer the moment Corey Raymond left for Florida, the hybrid corner / safety should definitely be signing on Wednesday alongside class/teammate Fitzgerald West.
A major win for LSU and a happy ending to the story of a one time Penn State commit who was able to stay home.
PREDICTION: LSU
Commits Expected To Sign On 12/15
WALKER HOWARD
WILL CAMPBELL
NATHAN DIBERT
EMERY JONES
BO BORDELON
MASON TAYLOR
LATTERANCE WELCH
DEMARIO TOLAN
TYGEE HILL
FITZGERALD WEST JR
Commits Flipping Elsewhere
JADARIAN RHYM AUBURN
JAKE JOHNSON ???
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
Great info… can’t wait for tomorrow… love the energy of signing day.
It will be great to get as many in early as we can. The more time they have to be with coaches and absorb the culture/standards of the CBK program.
Good stuff. Always hard to tell the whims of 18 year old kids.