Link to Transcript of Entire Chat
From The Times-Picayune (New Orleans newspaper) recruiting chat, excerpts that have A&M connections
Herbf: Any recruiting news from the long weekend?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: As far as the LSU picnic is concerned, LSU feels like they had a terrific weekend with the prospects in attendance. In fact, one source said it was the best and most successful picnic they have had thus far. No commitments, but progress was made.
At the Elite 25 camp on the Northshore, many of the state's better prospects got together for a great camp. I will have write-ups on that later.
LSUTiger4ever: Most observers say that Manvel, Texas TE/OT Koda Martin has Texas A&M and Oklahoma as his top two choices, yet Friday you projected him to be part of LSU’s 2014 signing class. Why do you think he will sign with the Tigers?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Just a gut feeling...Spent some time with his father last year and remember the way they talked about LSU. I keep hearing that LSU is the dark-horse here and my gut tells me he may end up in this class.
Mack Zettenberger: Now that Junior Days and spring games are over, what events during the summer might serve as catalysts for commitments?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Summer camps should bring a commitment or two...The summer allows for a lot of unofficial visits as well.
Mack Zettenberger: How did the LSU picnic this past weekend affect the Tigers' standing with their QB recruits?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: [DeShone] Kizer never made the trip because of high school engagements that he couldn't get out of. As for [Brandon] Harris, he had some good one on one time with staff members and it helped LSU's cause a little bit. I still expect both to join the fray, but Harris doesn't like the idea of two QB's in the class.
LesMilesisthebestcoach: BTW, you mentioned Harris not liking LSU taking 2 QBs. He can join my club! That would be 5 QBs on scholarship which IMO is too many. The old adage about not having too much depth IMO is wrong at QB. Look at all the QBs who transfer every year. Plus, you and I need to retake Math 101. LOL! We want all these players at all these positions (WR, QB, TEs, secondary) and the 25 number still looms out there. Don't you think 1 is the limit for QBs this year considering they signed 2 in February and also have other position needs...WR, secondary, etc?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: The way the numbers are breaking down, I do think taking two QB's may be a stretch, but I am sure they have a plan. There are enough needs on the roster for them to put that scholarship to good use.
LesMilesisthebestcoach: Was on a trip last week and see all I missed was D’Haquille Williams’ decommit. Do you think he will end up in the LSU class?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I really do...While he may be in junior college, he has yet to really experience the recruiting process and once he committed, schools backed off and he didn't like that. He will be a Tiger on NSD.
topeka9: James, what's the deal with the commitment/decommitment of [St. Augustine DT Courtney] Garnett with the longhorns????
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I am hoping to get a better grasp of that situation here soon...When he committed, it felt funny to me. He wasn't allowed to speak with Mack Brown until the day after he committed, which is odd.
Mack Brown: There you go again young man, criticizing my recruiting practices. Last week I was outdated; this week I'm handling Courtney Garnett's recruiting oddly. Since Louisiana is your territory of expertise, what advice can you give this old man that will help me recruit better there?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: LOL...I just said his commitment was odd not that you handled it wrongly. Sorry Mack...
Michael: How is LSU doing with Myles Garrett?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They are trying...They absolutely love him and will do everything they can to sway him. However, they have their work cut out for them, though.
Tiger Fanatic: I heard that LSU's QB recruits – Brandon Harris, DeShone Kizer, and Mason Rudolph – have all scheduled commitment dates for this summer. What are their schedules, and how will they influence each other? In other words, are they "jockeying for position"?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It is going to be a race of sorts...I have been told by multiple sources that they are not expecting a commitment from Rudolph. Harris and Kizer are the most likely options right now and if Harris picks first, it will be interesting to see what unfolds from there.
Michael: It looks like WR is another strong year in LA. Will all the WR's being taken in the 2014 class affect the decisions of the recruits in the 2015 class?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Well...that is a good problem to have. 2015 is just as deep at WR as 2014, but with the numbers that LSU is expected to pull at the position, it could make for a difficult time. With that said, 2015 standout Tyron Johnson will be a Tiger.
Michael: Nick Watkins has been quiet in the recruiting process. How is LSU doing with this guy?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think they have maintained contact, but I don't expect him to ever really get in the mix at this point.
Michael: Could Hoza Scott possibly flip to LSU or is he the one time commitment guy?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Anything is possible, but I don't think LSU has put too much time into that right now.
Joseph A: James, many analysts forecasted that LSU would already have commitments from several highly ranked players by now, including Deondre Clark, Tony Brown, Trey Quinn & Malachi Dupree. Now that we have had another LSU weekend gathering without a commitment, it seems like we are losing momentum. What's your take?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They are just involved with a bunch of kids that are in no rush to get the process over with. That and all of the guys they are recruiting are being courted by many of the nation's best prospects. It kind of comes with the territory. Oh....and many of the offensive guys want more evidence that the LSU offense will change.
Joseph A: James, that is a great point! I kind of feel like LSU is still paying the price for losing the 2011 National Championship to Alabama in such a lopsided fashion: no points, no 1st half 1st downs and atrocious QB play. It’s extremely unfair as well, because we had already beaten Alabama at home. Well that's the breaks...give Nick Saban 30+ days to prepare against any college team and his team will win...period!
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
Herbf: Any recruiting news from the long weekend?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: As far as the LSU picnic is concerned, LSU feels like they had a terrific weekend with the prospects in attendance. In fact, one source said it was the best and most successful picnic they have had thus far. No commitments, but progress was made.
At the Elite 25 camp on the Northshore, many of the state's better prospects got together for a great camp. I will have write-ups on that later.
LSUTiger4ever: Most observers say that Manvel, Texas TE/OT Koda Martin has Texas A&M and Oklahoma as his top two choices, yet Friday you projected him to be part of LSU’s 2014 signing class. Why do you think he will sign with the Tigers?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Just a gut feeling...Spent some time with his father last year and remember the way they talked about LSU. I keep hearing that LSU is the dark-horse here and my gut tells me he may end up in this class.
Mack Zettenberger: Now that Junior Days and spring games are over, what events during the summer might serve as catalysts for commitments?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Summer camps should bring a commitment or two...The summer allows for a lot of unofficial visits as well.
Mack Zettenberger: How did the LSU picnic this past weekend affect the Tigers' standing with their QB recruits?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: [DeShone] Kizer never made the trip because of high school engagements that he couldn't get out of. As for [Brandon] Harris, he had some good one on one time with staff members and it helped LSU's cause a little bit. I still expect both to join the fray, but Harris doesn't like the idea of two QB's in the class.
LesMilesisthebestcoach: BTW, you mentioned Harris not liking LSU taking 2 QBs. He can join my club! That would be 5 QBs on scholarship which IMO is too many. The old adage about not having too much depth IMO is wrong at QB. Look at all the QBs who transfer every year. Plus, you and I need to retake Math 101. LOL! We want all these players at all these positions (WR, QB, TEs, secondary) and the 25 number still looms out there. Don't you think 1 is the limit for QBs this year considering they signed 2 in February and also have other position needs...WR, secondary, etc?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: The way the numbers are breaking down, I do think taking two QB's may be a stretch, but I am sure they have a plan. There are enough needs on the roster for them to put that scholarship to good use.
LesMilesisthebestcoach: Was on a trip last week and see all I missed was D’Haquille Williams’ decommit. Do you think he will end up in the LSU class?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I really do...While he may be in junior college, he has yet to really experience the recruiting process and once he committed, schools backed off and he didn't like that. He will be a Tiger on NSD.
topeka9: James, what's the deal with the commitment/decommitment of [St. Augustine DT Courtney] Garnett with the longhorns????
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I am hoping to get a better grasp of that situation here soon...When he committed, it felt funny to me. He wasn't allowed to speak with Mack Brown until the day after he committed, which is odd.
Mack Brown: There you go again young man, criticizing my recruiting practices. Last week I was outdated; this week I'm handling Courtney Garnett's recruiting oddly. Since Louisiana is your territory of expertise, what advice can you give this old man that will help me recruit better there?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: LOL...I just said his commitment was odd not that you handled it wrongly. Sorry Mack...
Michael: How is LSU doing with Myles Garrett?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They are trying...They absolutely love him and will do everything they can to sway him. However, they have their work cut out for them, though.
Tiger Fanatic: I heard that LSU's QB recruits – Brandon Harris, DeShone Kizer, and Mason Rudolph – have all scheduled commitment dates for this summer. What are their schedules, and how will they influence each other? In other words, are they "jockeying for position"?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: It is going to be a race of sorts...I have been told by multiple sources that they are not expecting a commitment from Rudolph. Harris and Kizer are the most likely options right now and if Harris picks first, it will be interesting to see what unfolds from there.
Michael: It looks like WR is another strong year in LA. Will all the WR's being taken in the 2014 class affect the decisions of the recruits in the 2015 class?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Well...that is a good problem to have. 2015 is just as deep at WR as 2014, but with the numbers that LSU is expected to pull at the position, it could make for a difficult time. With that said, 2015 standout Tyron Johnson will be a Tiger.
Michael: Nick Watkins has been quiet in the recruiting process. How is LSU doing with this guy?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: I think they have maintained contact, but I don't expect him to ever really get in the mix at this point.
Michael: Could Hoza Scott possibly flip to LSU or is he the one time commitment guy?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: Anything is possible, but I don't think LSU has put too much time into that right now.
Joseph A: James, many analysts forecasted that LSU would already have commitments from several highly ranked players by now, including Deondre Clark, Tony Brown, Trey Quinn & Malachi Dupree. Now that we have had another LSU weekend gathering without a commitment, it seems like we are losing momentum. What's your take?
James Smith, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: They are just involved with a bunch of kids that are in no rush to get the process over with. That and all of the guys they are recruiting are being courted by many of the nation's best prospects. It kind of comes with the territory. Oh....and many of the offensive guys want more evidence that the LSU offense will change.
Joseph A: James, that is a great point! I kind of feel like LSU is still paying the price for losing the 2011 National Championship to Alabama in such a lopsided fashion: no points, no 1st half 1st downs and atrocious QB play. It’s extremely unfair as well, because we had already beaten Alabama at home. Well that's the breaks...give Nick Saban 30+ days to prepare against any college team and his team will win...period!
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
