Link to Transcript of Entire Chat

From The Times-Picayune (New Orleans newspaper) recruiting chat, excerpts that have A&M connections

JayMing: Who do you consider the best all around football player in the state for the 2014 class? Someone who will be a great position player and special teams standout? Excluding Fournette!
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I would have to go with Speedy Noil from Karr. He is extremely explosive and can change the game at the drop of a dime. If he were to play CB at the next level he would likely excel there. Dynamic football player.

Michael: How is LSU doing with Cam Robinson? I am a little worried about him going to Bama back to back weekends.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: There is something to worry about if you are an LSU fan. His interest in Alabama is very serious and the Tigers may have some ground to make up right now.

therealduckie: Are there any recruits LSU is targeting that you are starting to feel uncomfortable with signing with LSU?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: There have been the same guys throughout. Hootie Jones, Cam Robinson and even Kenny Young a little. The race for Speedy Noil has been heating up lately, too.

LAlove4NOLA: What are the percentage chances we get some of the different top [instate] prospects we're in the running for?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune:
Cam Robinson-- 45%
Hootie Jones-- 60%
Leonard Fournette-- 70%
Trey Quinn-- 75%
Malachi Dupre-- 75%
Those numbers would probably change in a hour if you asked me again, but it gives some indication as to where my head is.

LSUTiger4ever: What are LSU’s chances with Myles Garrett, DE from Arlington, Texas?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think Texas A&M has made a huge impression on him as of late and the Tigers have to make a huge push in the next couple of months to really get in the race.

LSUisthegreatest: Commits are always a little slow this time of year...when is the next LSU commit? During one of the summer camps?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I expect something to happen sooner than that to be honest. The next couple of weeks could provide something in-state and out with [Manalapan, New Jersey WR] Saeed Blacknall feeling very good about LSU right now.

LSUToolBag: Who do you think is our next La commit?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It is hard to say right now. A lot of kids that didn't initially want to drag it out seem like they are preparing to push their decisions back. A lot of guys are still on the fence. Really hard to say...

Tfat225: Watching Ed Paris I don't get the feeling he is a NATURAL corner (back pedal is high and hips not as fluid as it should be for that position, also break on the ball isn’t excellent). If he slides to safety along with Hootie [Jones] committing what other corners do you think LSU takes?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I see things a little differently than you. IMO, Paris has a bad habit of getting too low at times in his backpedal almost like his is sitting in a chair with his chest too far in front. It can easily be corrected and likely will be. His hips are really fluid; it is his feet that get crossed up at times and make it hard for him to flip and run or get great breaks on the ball. When his technique is there, he is very good. I think he could work as a cornerback.

LSUTiger4ever: When you were asked about recruits LSU is targeting that you are starting to feel uncomfortable with signing with LSU, you didn't mention Gerald Willis. Are you confident he will sign with the Tigers?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I am fairly confident that LSU is sitting in a pretty good spot with Willis right now.

LSUisthegreatest: What are you percentage odds that LSU signs these players....Blacknall and Garrett?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I would go 60% on Blacknall and around 40% on Myles Garrett and 65% on [Plainfield, Illinois LB] Clifton Garrett if that is who you were referring to.

Michael: I'm annoyed that every top safety prospect in our state will probably end up at Bama. We messed up with Landon [Collins] and we might mess up with Hootie [Jones] who IMO is a lot better than Landon.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Louisiana is very fertile recruiting grounds and you will always have schools trying to pluck some of the area's top talent. Over the years, there hasn't been a school in the country that has been as effective as LSU in trying to keep local talent from leaving the state. What happened with Landon had zero to do with the effort that LSU put forth. They were very diligent in their recruitment of him. Some players will always leave for other options and it will never change. If LSU keeps recruiting like they have, they will remain a national power.

Michael: Since [Barkevious "KeKe"] Mingo went so high in the draft do you think that will attract Mingo-type body builds like Lorenzo Carter or Justin Thornton?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: When players excel on the college level and get drafted early, it adds a tremendous weapon on the recruiting trail. Every defensive target is getting a steady dose of that from the coaches.

lsutigers1919: I have a VERY reliable source that told me Gerald Willis is leaning towards Texas A&M. What have you heard on him?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: His interest in Texas A&M is legit. The chance to play in the SEC, early and with Noel Ellis is appealing to Willis. I still feel that his longtime affinity for LSU and playing in front of family wins out.

rmckni2: What have our coaches been up to on the recruiting trail lately?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: There are scheduled visits for defensive backs coach Corey Raymond with Jabrill Peppers in New Jersey, back over to Texas with their targets there and possibly a full week in Florida in an effort to encompass the whole state. At least as much as he can. Frank Wilson will be pounding Louisiana as usual and Brick Haley will be targeting select defensive lineman like [Da'Shawn] Hand and [Lorenzo] Carter as well as his tours in Georgia and Alabama.

chaffpile37: When will [Malachi] Dupre commit??
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think Dupre may wait to take his visits, but the only problem with that is that John Curtis [High School] doesn't like players to visit during the season. Ultimately, that could push up his decision a bit.

udumbperps2: Dupre seems to be the most intriguing recruit...does he give any signs of who may be in the lead?? Also, most of these kids seem to be of good character…would that be accurate?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: This is a very high character class in my opinion. Especially at the front end of the group. I feel like LSU leads for Dupre and will land him in the end.

Michael: So how is LSU doing with Fournette?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: All signs indicate that they are in a very good position with the nation's top prospect. He has been very receptive as of late.

redfieldk717: Any update with Davion Hall from TX?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Nothing new on my end.

LSUisthegreatest: Who do you think LSU signs at DE? Justin Thornton and Deondre Clarke? And is Gerald Willis a college DE or DT?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Thornton may have some grade issues so I would say Clarke is the safest bet here. When Clarke visits with his mother in the next couple of months, I expect it to be a done deal.
With Willis, I think he could be effective at both. If he wants to play end, is he going to want to do so in a 3-man front like they run at A&M? If he were to play DT, it would have to be at LSU. I like him as a 3-tech defensive tackle. That is where he has the most upside.

lsu 2011 sec champs mnc fact: Where would you rank the LSU coaching staff in terms of recruiting ability and coaching ability? Not just from one to ten, but also rankings against the rest of cfb? The SEC, etc.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think they have the best group of position coaches in the country to be honest when it comes to developing talent and teaching them the game. As far as recruiting is concerned, the Tigers would have to be top 10 as a staff. They have some very good recruiters and some guys that aren't quite as effective, but they do a great job as a unit.

bigeasyplayer: Right now who is the best prospect at QB: [Bossier City Parkway’s] Brandon Harris or [Marrero Archbishop Shaw’s] Quentin Gibson?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Gibson has a better feel for the position right now and is more accurate as a passer. Harris has more upside because of the length, athleticism and live arm, but Gibson is more polished of a passer. That is just where it stands right now. Ultimately, where they end up a few years down the road depends on each prospect.

RedaLSU: What’s a realistic chance of getting Adoree Jackson out of SoCal country?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I honestly don't believe he is a big target at CB right now. They want length at the position and if they see what I see on film at CB, there may be better options out there to be honest. Outside of Paris and Brown, they would like another 6+ guy.



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

Wait, we run a three man front?

Thanks for posting.

I didn't realize we ran exclusively a 3 man front.

^beat me to it

[This message has been edited by adamhdonnell (edited 4/30/2013 1:50p).]

I chuckled several times. Thanks for posting. It feels like there is a ton of pullback right now from this guy.

[This message has been edited by cjs4715 (edited 4/30/2013 1:56p).]

i don't think this guy understands percentages. he says they are way behind on Myles, but gives them a 40% chance of getting him.... same with the guy really looking at bama.

His percentages seem to be going down for what he considers LSU leans. Is he not feeling well today? I thought all of these players were virtual LSU locks.

Would love to see the reaction if we could get Willis and Noil!

Would love to see the reaction if we could get Willis and Noil!

Would love to see the reaction if we could get Willis and Noil!

Would love to see the reaction if we could get Willis and Noil!

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i don't think this guy understands percentages. he says they are way behind on Myles, but gives them a 40% chance of getting him.... same with the guy really looking at bama

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Haha I thought the same thing. They have "a lot" of ground to cover on Myles, he has A&M as a huge leader right now, but yet there's a 40% chance they get him? LSU isn't even in his top 5 for crying out loud.

James Smith's ability to "talk out his ass" as they say is reaching new heights by the week.

[This message has been edited by Tamu_mgm (edited 4/30/2013 2:51p).]

James Smith: I am hearing the kid hates LSU and has been quoted as saying he would rather take his own life than play ball at LSU. That being said, LSU lock.

He's a heck of a lot more rational than just four weeks ago. TAMU 3-man front is obviously negative recruiting BS that may be getting fed to the ends they want. Any player worth his salt can watch our games and figure it out...James Smith not so much, I guess. lol. Also, anybody that starts spouting percentages just lost a ton of cred in my book. Leaning, leaning heavily, very interested, showing more interest lately...those things make sense, but percentages mean nothing.

Ya, now LSU fans are starting to see the issues with Paris. I agree he's not a natural corner, which JS basically admitted and then said he could be taught.

We need to get Dupre on campus somehow. We also need to close on Garrett, Cunningham, and Whitley to get our defensive core locked down before all the pieces start falling for Bama and LSU. A QB and one of the elite WR and an OL or two would also be nice within the next few weeks, but that doesn't look very likely. I just think this year the commits are going to stretch further into late summer and fall than usual.

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I am fairly confident that LSU is sitting in a pretty good spot with Willis right now.

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wtf is this nonsense, it means absolutely nothing

Anyone else notice he gave no percentage for speedy.

So much fail in this one. Backpeddling more each week, just wait till the L's start piling up in the fall.

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Ya, now LSU fans are starting to see the issues with Paris

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This also really caught my attention. Ed Paris went from arguably the top player in the state, to awesome athlete, to question mark at corner. I think he could make a great safety, but they hung on to the fact that he was a corner for so long. I think now they are finally realizing it though.

Also, the coaches have been on the road since Sunday, talking to Cunningham and Garrett. When I went to Whitley's profile on 247, it says that coach Hagen visited him on the 22nd, so we're still trying hard to land him (thank God).

http://tamu.247sports.com/Article/Texas-AMs-coaches-hit-the-road-for-spring-evaluation-period-128830

[This message has been edited by Tamu_mgm (edited 4/30/2013 11:20p).]

I'm starting to understand how this guy's percentages work. Take the actual percentage and multiply it by eleventybillion. I.e. Myles Garrett

I want to see our reaction when we land Noil and Willis. Good stuff.

Speedy top three of A&M, USC, Florida.

http://theadvocate.com/sports/5864497-123/football-stars-fournette-noil-concentrating

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Actually, LSU isn’t even in Noil’s top three right now — that’s Southern California, Florida and Texas A&M. But in the digital age, recruiting rumors can run rampant.

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[This message has been edited by RedsquirrelAG (edited 5/2/2013 10:47a).]

[This message has been edited by RedsquirrelAG (edited 5/2/2013 10:48a).]

lsu fan chatter about Noil has gone awfully quite lately....I don't think he was ever close to a lock like they said.

http://www.nola.com/recruiting/index.ssf/2013/05/karrs_devante_speedy_noil_down.html#incart_river

This link is to video of a Thursday afternoon interview with Noil. He said the top four schools he is considering are, in no particular order, LSU, Texas A&M, USC and Florida.

Saw that crawfish. Not sure what's true, but I like our chances.

I think he's a smart enough kid to realize he won't want to throw his future away with Lane Kiffin / unknown of a new coaching search, or become severely under-utilized at Florida.

It will end up being a LSU-Texas A&M battle, similar to RSJ.....book it.

[This message has been edited by Tamu_mgm (edited 5/3/2013 7:20a).]