Link to Transcript of Entire Chat

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

LesMilesisthebestcoach: Mike Detillier in a recent interview said that D'Haquille Williams was the best WR out of LA HS he has seen in 25 years (Reggie Wayne was his previous best). My LSU WR list is similar to your prediction...Upchurch, Williams, Blacknall, Dupre, and Noil. Then, if one of those falls through, Quinn or Keenan Brown who I like more than you do I think. Do you still think LSU will get those 5 you listed?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think they will get the majority of those guys I listed. I could see Quinn in place of Upchurch or even Noil if he were to pick someone else. A source at LSU has told me that 4 may still be the magic number, I just don't see how.

lsutigers1919: Any updates on where LSU stands with Cameron Robinson and Hootie Jones?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I am going to sit with them later this week and will find out then. As far as where LSU stands, Cam still is leaning Bama from all that I gather and Hootie is still a slight LSU lean.

TheRealist: Who are LSU's top targets right now? What are they odds they get these players?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I would say these are the top 5 targets at this point:
1. Leonard Fournette
2. Hootie Jones
3. Cameron Robinson
4. [Illinois LB] Clifton Garrett
5. Gerald Willis/Speedy Noil
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think they get all except for Robinson.

lsutigers1919: Speedy Noil retweeted one of his friends who said his new top 3 were Texas A&M, USC, and Florida. Have you heard anything on Noil or Willis?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I have been hearing this for a while, but first scratched it off as rumors. But I keep hearing it...And this goes for Willis and Noil
TheRealist: He just tweeted this 14 minutes ago. Definitely very bad news.

TheRealist: Why didn't LSU offer Jermaine Roberts?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Size was the biggest hangup in regards to Roberts. With Chris Hardeman already committed, they didn't want two 5-9 corners in the class.

tigas1: Is Trey Quinn likely to go elsewhere, or will LSU not sign him because they don't have room and he will take too much time to commit?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think both are possibilities. They honestly expected Quinn to have committed a long time ago, but it just hasn't happened. I could see him choosing someone else and I could see him waiting too long. This is going to be a crazy year...

lsutigers1919: A while back you thought LSU was close to landing 2 commitments. One was Brumfield and the other one was Quinn, right? What has changed with him?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I did think Quinn was going to pull the trigger and they have pushed for it, but for whatever reason, it just hasn't happened, yet. They aren't done with him by any means and they want him in the class, I just think time is running out there.

Tfat225: Do you think Hootie [Jones] and Tony Brown will complete the DB class?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think Hootie and Brown will be a part of this class, but I don't think it ends with them. They would like another safety and CB.

lsu 2011 sec champs mnc fact: How many QBs do we take?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Just one and it may be first come first served.

lsu 2011 sec champs mnc fact: Will LSU get 7 5-stars, if so which ones?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: 7 is a huge number, but it is possible. These are the ones I will go with: Fournette, Hootie Jones, Tony Brown, D'Haquille Williams, Clifton Garrett and Speedy Noil.

Geaux Away Aggies: After watching Parkway’s practice last Wednesday, Cam Cameron offered a scholarship to QB Brandon Harris. What do you think he was looking for that he saw?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Word is that he was impressed with his improved mechanics and the consistency in which he threw. The ball jumps out of the kid’s hand, he just struggles with consistency at times due to his mechanics. He throws off the back foot a lot, snaps his throws at the top without following through and as a result, can be a little erratic at times. Improving his mechanics will do wonders for his game.

LSUTiger4ever: Do you see Plaquemine’s Davon Godchaux as a DE or DT in college?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think he adds some weight and slides inside. I could see him playing the 5-tech as well.

lsutigers1919: There have been rumors that [Malachi] Dupre and [Kenny] Young have been very interested in UCLA. Do you think we land both of them?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I know for a fact that UCLA is a major player for Young...not so much with Malachi. I still feel like LSU will sway Young and Malachi commits this summer if he and John Curtis [High School] come up with a plan that allows him to visit other schools after making his pledge.

LesMilesisthebestcoach: My guess is that the LA class drops in ranking a bit during the season. It is quite improbable that Dupre, Noil, Quinn, and [Cameron] Sims all end up in say the top national 250 as WRs. Other than WR, the rest of the positions are pretty pedestrian OVERALL...yes, one great RB but not another.. a couple of good OL, a couple of good DL, maybe 1 LBer, no CBs, 1 S, etc. Do you think like I do that this LA class will very good but not exactly epic when all is said and done?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I still think it is an epic class for this state. Impact players at nearly every position group with a solid mix of elite talent like Noil, Dupre, Hootie Jones, Cam Robinson, Gerald Willis and Malachi Dupre. They are all big time prospects and there are many more prospects in the state that are right behind them.

LSUTiger4ever: Now that Bossier City Parkway QB Brandon Harris has been offered by several top programs, who do you think he’ll sign with?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I have heard that LSU made a huge jump when Cameron visited last week. I thought Arkansas was the leader prior, but LSU may have jumped them for now.

TheRealist: ESPN's analysis of Leonard Fournette reads, "Fournette's ceiling might not be as high as other backs in this class, and he might be more scheme limited, but if he can land in a downhill, two-back offense, we see big-time production at the next level. Perhaps an equally impressive linebacker prospect if he concentrated on that side of the ball." ......do you see this as accurate, and is there any possibility of him at LB?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: This is my first time reading that and I am quite shocked honestly. I have seen a lot of the nation's top backs over the years in person (Duke Johnson, Derrick Henry, etc.) and Fournette is better than both. His size, speed and lateral quickness are superb for a back his size. And there is negative zero chance he plays linebacker.

Tfat225: Will LSU ever offer [Garrald] McDowell and [Davon] Godchaux? Also where do they stand with Kenny Young and Dupre? (Especially since [D’Haquille] Williams committed)
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Williams didn't have an effect on Malachi from what I have gathered. I feel like LSU trails UCLA for Young, but will make up the ground.
I think they offer either Godchaux or McDowell during the summer with Godchaux looking more likely at this point.

Tfat225: Looking at the possible WR targets where would you rank them from a talent standpoint and want in this class? (Quinn, Dupre, Noil, Blacknall)
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Good question... Noil, Dupre, Blacknall and Quinn. They are all outstanding, though.

Samuel: Which 2014 linebackers do you think will sign with LSU?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Clifton Garrett, Donnie Alexander [from Karr HS], Sharieff Rhaheed [from Fort Pierce, FL], and Kenny Young.

bigeasyplayer: Jimmie, now that Brandon Harris is getting all the big time offers and Quentin Gibson [from Archbishop Shaw HS] is not, do you still think Gibson is the best QB prospect in the state?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Harris undoubtedly has unreal upside, but Gibson is far more consistent right now. His ability to read the defense, accuracy and poise in the pocket are the reasons I have him ahead of Harris now. Brandon knows this as well and has been working very hard to improve his game. I am going to see him throw at his spring game later this week and I am anxious to see where he is in his development. I still stand by my rankings....for now.

LesMilesisthebestcoach: Among the several decommits from Texas appears to be the St. Augustine OL/DL I think he was. Did he decommit? In general, I have never seen a program since Miami a couple of years that have had as many decommits/signing renegs as Texas’ 2013 and 2014 classes. Do they see Mack Brown as a lame duck?
LSUTiger4ever: You are probably referring to DL Courtney Garnett.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I feel their approach to recruiting is outdated to be honest. Kids want to be recruited early, often and given a little bit of leeway to explore other options. Texas does things a little different. This will be Brown's last year at the helm.



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

I can't stand this guy. I don't understand why they are so confident that Noil is a LOCK when he wasn't even in his top 3.

I wish we had not stopped recruiting Trey Quinn. At one time he was very interested.

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LesMilesisthebestcoach: Among the several decommits from Texas appears to be the St. Augustine OL/DL I think he was. Did he decommit? In general, I have never seen a program since Miami a couple of years that have had as many decommits/signing renegs as Texas’ 2013 and 2014 classes. Do they see Mack Brown as a lame duck?
LSUTiger4ever: You are probably referring to DL Courtney Garnett.
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I feel their approach to recruiting is outdated to be honest. Kids want to be recruited early, often and given a little bit of leeway to explore other options. Texas does things a little different. This will be Brown's last year at the helm.

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He's a LSU homer, but I enjoy reading his interviews. Hammer meet nail on this point.

[This message has been edited by southtexasag (edited 5/14/2013 2:30p).]

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I wish we had not stopped recruiting Trey Quinn. At one time he was very interested.

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if we didn't get so many wrs in this last class we probably would still be recruiting him. the coaching staff knows much more about all situations than we do, so relax. i think a good indication of where you stand on a prospect is who else the coach is targeting. examples: right before hansen chose OU, we went much harder after allen... or lsu going after other wr targets (upchurch) despite what they have in the state.

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lsu 2011 sec champs mnc fact: Will LSU get 7 5-stars, if so which ones?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: 7 is a huge number, but it is possible. These are the ones I will go with: Fournette, Hootie Jones, Tony Brown, D'Haquille Williams, Clifton Garrett and Speedy Noil.

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Just a few questions before he was informed that Speedy didn't have LSU as a top 3.. still considers him likely to be one of the 5-stars LSU gets..

What insanity.

PhD..

I'm not a twitter expert, so help me out.

I've looked at that "tweet" linked over on the other part of the site a couple of times.

Where does it say those are his top three? Maybe I'm missing it.

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PhD..

I'm not a twitter expert, so help me out.

I've looked at that "tweet" linked over on the other part of the site a couple of times.

Where does it say those are his top three? Maybe I'm missing it.

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Nothing to worry about. What he actually said was

"every day I dream about wearing p&g! #silentcommit"

Boom goes the dynamite mother ****ers!

mdany..

so, what you're saying is....it doesn't say "top 3" anywhere. With Florida and USC included and Alabama missing, it could just as easily be teams he's eliminated....right??

Or he's being a HS kid and having some laughs.

Who knows??

Watching folks go gaga over eavesdropping on a highschool kid's "tweets" is pretty entertaining, I have to admit.

dp picture below


[This message has been edited by CardinalsAg (edited 5/14/2013 5:50p).]

Here is another interesting one from speedy.

"Sam the sham and I have a secret.

#silentcommit"

What does it mean?

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mdany..

so, what you're saying is....it doesn't say "top 3" anywhere. With Florida and USC included and Alabama missing, it could just as easily be teams he's eliminated....right??

Or he's being a HS kid and having some laughs.

Who knows??

Watching folks go gaga over eavesdropping on a highschool kid's "tweets" is pretty entertaining, I have to admit.

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ya, ok... that seems more likely. recruits usually post the schools they've eliminated, instead of the schools they are choosing from

Dandy Don's ghost must be smiling with the continuation of that type of homer journalism.

http://www.dandydon.com/

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In a bit of a surprise to me, Speedy Noil (WR, 5'10", 175, Edna Karr, No. 5 on my list of Top LA Football Prospects for 2104) has named Texas A&M and USC as his leaders, according to multiple reports.

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Gawd I want to read Smith's spin if three or four of those 5*s he lined up for LSU end up elsewhere.

The ESPN comments on Fournette raised eyebrows. Even though I was flamed mercilessly for a muted opinion of Fournette on TA a while back, I'll reiterate my reservation about his ultra-high ranking. I think the truth lies somewhere in between #1 player in the country 30-year wonder and a 4* without much ceiling. I don't see any way he plays LB in CFB, though.

It is quite interesting that Smith seems to be relegating the once-coveted LSU lock Quinn into left field behind Noil, Dupre, Blacknall, and even Keenan Brown. Seems almost like a scenario unfolding where Quinn might actually come back around to looking hard at the Ags should those others go LSU's way. The kicker to that is that our WR board is currently not filling up fast, so it could leave opportunity for that development. It will be an angle to watch for sure.

I think Brice said in a thread somewhere on the premium board that A&M and Quinn have mutually parted ways. We're not recruiting him.

Quinn was a KK project. He has left A&M, thus we stopped recruiting him, and which is why TT is still heavily recruiting him.

Don passed away within the last couple of years and it is his son who runs the LSU site. Don was an LSU homer to the nth degree, but seemed genuine and nice too.