Covering High School Sports in America
File photo by Chris Evans

Jeremy Liggins, Lafayette


LSU coach Les Miles said his his five-man class of linebackers was the strongest he could remember in a recruiting class MaxPreps ranked 13th on national signing day Wednesday.

What helped was the late addition of Kwon Alexander, who went on national television Wednesday morning to announce that he was signing with the Tigers. Alexander's Oxford (Ala.) teammate Trae Elston opted for Ole Miss.

LSU had hoped to sign Elston to compensate for the loss of Dutchtown (Geismar, La.) safety Landon Collins to top-ranked Alabama, which beat the Tigers in the BCS national championship game, 21-0. LSU lost linebacker/defensive end Torshiro Davis to No. 2 Texas after Davis had remained committed to the Tigers since last signing day.

Still, Miles said LSU strengthened itself in the secondary and at quarterback. LSU signed quarterback Jeremy Liggins of Lafayette (Oxford, Miss.) two days after he had commited to the Tigers. LSU signed 22 players, including 14 from Louisiana.

"It met all our needs," Miles said of his overall class. Miles said LSU has completed its recruiting for the year and is looking forward to next year's recruiting class. LSU still may sign tight end John Thomas of Airline (Bossier City, La.). Thomas committed to LSU but said grade issues may delay his signing until April.

LSU took a year to sign Redemtporist (La.) High School running back Jeremy Hill, who sat out a year after an arrest that didn't lead to jail time.

LSU has one commitment from Loranger (La.) 5-foot-9 athlete Jeryl Brazil for its 2013 class. Brazil, a wide receiver/defensive back, had tweeted he was decommiting but it has been reported he has reaffirmed his commitment.