If you’re reading this, you’re well aware that Brian Kelly has elevated a .500 regular season team to SEC West champions in one year. Sure, Kelly is a skilled tactician and motivator, but many wondered how he would fare as a recruiter in the most competitive division in college football. Despite limited time to build relationships with recruits, he answered that question emphatically by building the seventh ranked class overall in the class 2022, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. For clarity, the overall rankings include both high school recruits and transfers. Nine of the 15 transfers started games in 2022, which speaks to the LSU coaching staff’s ability to identify and evaluate talent. With early signing day only one day away, let’s take a look at LSU’s 2023 offensive class. The star ratings shown are from the 247 Sports composite rankings.

Quarterback

4* Rickie Collins (6’2″/190) Baton Rouge, LA

• Athletic, competitive prospect with compact delivery

Running Back

4* Kaleb Jackson (5’10″/200) Baton Rouge LA

• Thick build with track speed

4* Trey Holly (5’8″ 180) Farmerville, LA

• Physical, plays bigger than listed size
• Louisiana’s all-time leading rusher.

Wide Receiver

4* Shelton Sampson (6’4″/181) Baton Rouge, LA

• Lengthy receiver with 4.3 forty time

4* Jalen Brown (6’1″/170) Miami, FL)

• Ran 10.86 100 meter dash

4* Kyle Parker (5’10″/175) Lucas, TX

• Shifty, productive WR with 1,514 all-purpose yards his senior year in Texas 5A football

4* Khai Prean (6’0/190) St. James, LA

• Versatile athlete with sub-11 second 100 meter time

Transfer 4* Aaron Anderson (5’9″/185) University of Alabama

• One of the most explosive players in Karr’s storied history
• Dynamic receiver and returner

Tight End

4* Mac Markway (6’4″/250) St. Louis, MO

• Athletic receiver and physical blocker
• Multi-sport athlete

3* Jackson McGohan (6’4″/235) Miamisburg, OH

• Excellent body control with superb ball skills

Offensive Line

OT 5* Zalance Heard (6’6″/310) Monroe, LA

• Prototypical length with physical nature
• Same high school (Neville) as current Tiger Will Campbell

OT 4* DJ Chester (6’5″/300) McDonough, GA

• Physical run blocker

OT 4* Tyree Adams (6’5″/285) New Orleans, LA

• Moves well laterally with potential to be elite with more weight

OT 3* Paul Mubenga (6’4″/280) Buford, GA

• Athletic with ability to block in space

Brian Kelly has often said that the high volume of transfers in 2022 was a necessity but not the ideal situation. The Tigers’ coaching staff is attempting to build the offensive line from the high school ranks. Keep in mind that some of the offensive line prospects listed as tackles could end up at guard. LSU is also preparing to lose several wideouts after the 2023 season, adding five players to a currently elite group. There is no longer a 25 player cap on recruiting classes as long as the full roster does not surpass 85 scholarship players, so expect plenty of action in the next few days with LSU having so many needs. I don’t think it’s necessary, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Tigers reached out to a transfer quarterback if Jayden Daniels leaves for the draft. I’m not saying the staff doesn’t trust Garrett Nussmeier, but competition has never made a competitive player worse. Teams can’t win by recruiting alone, especially when recruiting big names without a vision of how each player fits their scheme. However, they absolutely cannot win big without recruiting. The 2023 defensive commitments are up next. Until then, Geaux Tigers!!!