Link to Transcript of Entire Chat
From The Times-Picayune (New Orleans newspaper) recruiting chat, excerpts that have A&M connections
Note: a new chat format was started this week. It allows users to comment on other users’ questions.
LSUThomas: How many WRers you think LSU signs? I like the commit Upchurch just fine and IF LSU were to get [Saeed] Blacknall [from Manalapan, New Jersey] and 3 LA ones, that would be 5.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They weren't planning on 5, but with the guys they have wanting to jump into the fold, they may be forced to take 5. I still think 4 is the number, but if Odell [Beckham Jr.] and Jarvis [Landry] leave early, 5 makes sense.
LSUThomas: The LBer [Clifton] Garrett [from Plainfield, Illinois] visit seems to have gone fantastic plus his friendship with Pocic can't hurt. IF Garrett were to commit to LSU, do you think [Josh] Mabin the TX LBer would still get interest from LSU?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I don't think so. They already have 2 linebackers committed and coming into this cycle, they thought 2 may be the final number they take. As it looks now, if Kenny Young and Clifton Garrett want in, they may be forced to take 4.
JohW1919: Should LSU fans be more concerned with Speedy Noil and [Gerald] Willis or [Cameron] Robinson and [Hootie] Jones?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I would probably be more concerned with Robinson and Jones than Noil and Willis. With that said, I don't think any of those guys are slam dunks.
LSUThomas: Was Brumfield the offensive player you thought would commit by [LSU’s spring game] or is that guy "still out there"?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Initially, it looked as if two guys were going to pull the trigger with Brumfield being one. The other is still out there for the time being.
SaintJM: Do you foresee any commitments to LSU in the near future or will it be quiet until the summer camps?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think you will see Blacknall declare within the next couple of weeks or so and Trey Quinn is one to watch for as well. I think you will see a small handful of commitments over the next two months.
Bryan Kneipp: Jimmy, With it looking like we take 5 wide receivers this year...will it be a numbers game that causes us to only take 2 running backs? If so, who do you think the other will be besides Leonard Fournette?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Numbers could definitely limit LSU this cycle with so many big names in the mix right now. I don't think the Tigers are going to let Darrell Williams leave the state.
KingSimon_TheTigerFan: With last year’s signing class along with the 2014 class if the quarterback position develops nicely could LSU go on a UF (Tebow)/ Alabama type of run winning a national title or two or three straight 11-win seasons?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: The QB position has been the only thing holding them back from making those type of runs over the past few years. If they continue to play defense at a high level and the QB play improves, I could definitely see LSU go on one of those type of runs.
JohW1919: I think LSU will have 4 WR commits with Upchurch, Dupre, Quinn and Blacknall and then Noil will be deciding at the UA game. Do you think having this many WR signees will affect his decision?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It could...The WR haul at Texas A&M in last year's class doesn't seem to bother him much, though.
JohW1919: Could LSU drop Upchurch if Blacknall, Speedy, Dupre and Quinn all want in?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It would be pure speculation at this point. They "can", but I am not sure they will. They may lose a lot of WR's this year so 5 may be the number in the end. 2015 is a good year in Louisiana for WR's, too.
GeauxAwayAggies: Gerald Willis already has an offer from LSU, and in last week’s chat you mentioned Garrald McDowell and Davon Godchaux as other DT possibilities for LSU. Do you think at some point LSU might try to flip St. Augustine DL Courtney Garnett from Texas?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I don't think so. They know and like Garnett, but I don't know if he is that high on their board. OJ Smith is one to watch as well.
LSUThomas: I wasn't too impressed with Garnett's offer list myself. And Texas right now IMO is trying to show they can recruit OOS. Mack Brown is GONE after this season! Take that to the bank!
LSUrachel: What are you thinking about Tony Brown? I know he went to the Alabama spring game this past weekend. I thought he was going to be an early commit, so I was just wondering what is your feeling on him coming to LSU.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: His father fell ill, which in turn, made Tony want to slow things down. I still feel VERY confident that Brown will pick LSU.
KingSimon_TheTigerFan: With Mark Ingram and [Trent] Richardson both going in the 1st round, and teams using multiple backs, if Fournette signs [with LSU] could Nicholas Brossette follow up in 2015?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I don't think Brossette will be turned off by Fournette suiting up in Purple and Gold.
Nick Saban: LSU usually does a great job of keeping the top Louisiana recruits at home. What do you think would be the most effective sales pitches an opposing coach could use to convince Louisiana recruits to sign with his team instead?
LsuCanfan!: Keep on paying their girlfriends to man the telephones in the athletic offices!
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: To branch out and become your own man. This is a common tactic as coaches play on the fact that some kids want to break away from their parents and become their own adult.
LSUThomas: ROTFLMAO!! Of course, that ONLY applies if the prospects come from outside the state of Alabama! Surely, surely, kids are NOT that stupid! That would be the very first question I would ask the coach...sooooo, you encourage the kids in your own state to "become their own man" right?
LSUrachel: I was wondering if you heard from any of the recruits on the offensive side of the ball after the spring game about how they felt about Cameron's offense and just the little bit of what they saw Saturday?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They like the fact that LSU seems more inclined to stretch the field.
jhtruett: Is Leonard Fournette all LSU? Or is he entertaining the idea of heading elsewhere?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Is it possible that both are correct? When I watch the kid around LSU, he looks so comfortable and I really doubt he will get that anywhere else. I feel like he is a strong LSU lean, but who really knows. He keeps things pretty close to the vest.
If you have a relevant question – one related to recruiting in Louisiana or by a Louisiana university – post it below and I will submit it for you in an upcoming chat. – CrawfishAg
From The Times-Picayune (New Orleans newspaper) recruiting chat, excerpts that have A&M connections
Note: a new chat format was started this week. It allows users to comment on other users’ questions.
LSUThomas: How many WRers you think LSU signs? I like the commit Upchurch just fine and IF LSU were to get [Saeed] Blacknall [from Manalapan, New Jersey] and 3 LA ones, that would be 5.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They weren't planning on 5, but with the guys they have wanting to jump into the fold, they may be forced to take 5. I still think 4 is the number, but if Odell [Beckham Jr.] and Jarvis [Landry] leave early, 5 makes sense.
LSUThomas: The LBer [Clifton] Garrett [from Plainfield, Illinois] visit seems to have gone fantastic plus his friendship with Pocic can't hurt. IF Garrett were to commit to LSU, do you think [Josh] Mabin the TX LBer would still get interest from LSU?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I don't think so. They already have 2 linebackers committed and coming into this cycle, they thought 2 may be the final number they take. As it looks now, if Kenny Young and Clifton Garrett want in, they may be forced to take 4.
JohW1919: Should LSU fans be more concerned with Speedy Noil and [Gerald] Willis or [Cameron] Robinson and [Hootie] Jones?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I would probably be more concerned with Robinson and Jones than Noil and Willis. With that said, I don't think any of those guys are slam dunks.
LSUThomas: Was Brumfield the offensive player you thought would commit by [LSU’s spring game] or is that guy "still out there"?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Initially, it looked as if two guys were going to pull the trigger with Brumfield being one. The other is still out there for the time being.
SaintJM: Do you foresee any commitments to LSU in the near future or will it be quiet until the summer camps?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think you will see Blacknall declare within the next couple of weeks or so and Trey Quinn is one to watch for as well. I think you will see a small handful of commitments over the next two months.
Bryan Kneipp: Jimmy, With it looking like we take 5 wide receivers this year...will it be a numbers game that causes us to only take 2 running backs? If so, who do you think the other will be besides Leonard Fournette?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Numbers could definitely limit LSU this cycle with so many big names in the mix right now. I don't think the Tigers are going to let Darrell Williams leave the state.
KingSimon_TheTigerFan: With last year’s signing class along with the 2014 class if the quarterback position develops nicely could LSU go on a UF (Tebow)/ Alabama type of run winning a national title or two or three straight 11-win seasons?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: The QB position has been the only thing holding them back from making those type of runs over the past few years. If they continue to play defense at a high level and the QB play improves, I could definitely see LSU go on one of those type of runs.
JohW1919: I think LSU will have 4 WR commits with Upchurch, Dupre, Quinn and Blacknall and then Noil will be deciding at the UA game. Do you think having this many WR signees will affect his decision?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It could...The WR haul at Texas A&M in last year's class doesn't seem to bother him much, though.
JohW1919: Could LSU drop Upchurch if Blacknall, Speedy, Dupre and Quinn all want in?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It would be pure speculation at this point. They "can", but I am not sure they will. They may lose a lot of WR's this year so 5 may be the number in the end. 2015 is a good year in Louisiana for WR's, too.
GeauxAwayAggies: Gerald Willis already has an offer from LSU, and in last week’s chat you mentioned Garrald McDowell and Davon Godchaux as other DT possibilities for LSU. Do you think at some point LSU might try to flip St. Augustine DL Courtney Garnett from Texas?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I don't think so. They know and like Garnett, but I don't know if he is that high on their board. OJ Smith is one to watch as well.
LSUThomas: I wasn't too impressed with Garnett's offer list myself. And Texas right now IMO is trying to show they can recruit OOS. Mack Brown is GONE after this season! Take that to the bank!
LSUrachel: What are you thinking about Tony Brown? I know he went to the Alabama spring game this past weekend. I thought he was going to be an early commit, so I was just wondering what is your feeling on him coming to LSU.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: His father fell ill, which in turn, made Tony want to slow things down. I still feel VERY confident that Brown will pick LSU.
KingSimon_TheTigerFan: With Mark Ingram and [Trent] Richardson both going in the 1st round, and teams using multiple backs, if Fournette signs [with LSU] could Nicholas Brossette follow up in 2015?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I don't think Brossette will be turned off by Fournette suiting up in Purple and Gold.
Nick Saban: LSU usually does a great job of keeping the top Louisiana recruits at home. What do you think would be the most effective sales pitches an opposing coach could use to convince Louisiana recruits to sign with his team instead?
LsuCanfan!: Keep on paying their girlfriends to man the telephones in the athletic offices!
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: To branch out and become your own man. This is a common tactic as coaches play on the fact that some kids want to break away from their parents and become their own adult.
LSUThomas: ROTFLMAO!! Of course, that ONLY applies if the prospects come from outside the state of Alabama! Surely, surely, kids are NOT that stupid! That would be the very first question I would ask the coach...sooooo, you encourage the kids in your own state to "become their own man" right?
LSUrachel: I was wondering if you heard from any of the recruits on the offensive side of the ball after the spring game about how they felt about Cameron's offense and just the little bit of what they saw Saturday?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They like the fact that LSU seems more inclined to stretch the field.
jhtruett: Is Leonard Fournette all LSU? Or is he entertaining the idea of heading elsewhere?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Is it possible that both are correct? When I watch the kid around LSU, he looks so comfortable and I really doubt he will get that anywhere else. I feel like he is a strong LSU lean, but who really knows. He keeps things pretty close to the vest.
If you have a relevant question – one related to recruiting in Louisiana or by a Louisiana university – post it below and I will submit it for you in an upcoming chat. – CrawfishAg