Movers, shakers in Rivals100 for 2020
The updated Rivals100 for the 2020 class led to some movement of LSU commitment top targets still on the board.
Zachary Evans, a top target at running back in next year’s class, came in at No. 2, trailing only California 5-star quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. Evans camped in Baton Rouge over the summer and has come into town for games in the fall. LSU was his first offer almost three years ago.
Elias Ricks sits atop LSU’s wish list at cornerback. He made it into town for the Tigers’ game against Ole Miss, his second visit in from California in a seven-month stretch. The 5-star cornerback sits No. 4 overall in the country, as the Tigers hope to land Derek Stingley Jr. and Ricks in back-to-back classes.
Omari Thomas, a teammate of current LSU verbal pledge Maurice Hampton, has been a steady string of visits to Baton Rouge over the past two years and remains one of the Tigers’ top offensive line targets in next year’s cycle.
“The biggest jump into the Rivasl100 was by offensive tackle Omari Thomas
who has nearly 30 offers,” Rivals national analyst Mike Farrell wrote. “The 6-foot-5, 301-pounder is nasty and is nasty run blocker at the next level. Everyone is coming after him and he’s a must keep for Tennessee when it comes to in-state prospects.”
RJ Mickens visited for LSU’s home opener against Southeastern, his first visit since camping there as a freshman. The 4-star cornerback and NFL legacy sits at No. 37 nationally.
Clark Phillips saw his stock rise, climbing 17 spots to No. 53 in the country. The 4-star California cornerback was offered this fall and quickly made a visit to town for LSU’s showdown with Alabama.
LSU offensive tackle commitment Courtland Ford fell three spots to No. 63. The North Texas standout committed in November in the days following a visit to town for the Alabama game and returned last weekend with his parents.
Right behind Ford is his quarterback, Max Johnson, the newest addition to the Tigers’ 2020 class. Johnson, a 4-star pro-style passer, also had a slight drop to No. 65 overall in the country.
Branard Wright, a 4-star defensive tackle out of Dallas Carter (Texas) is a top target for Coach Ed Orgeron on defense in 2020. He’s a former teammate of current LSU Bench-linebacker Jarrell Cherry and has visited Baton Rouge multiple times in the past two years. Wright slipped to No. 66 in the nation.
Dwight McGlothern is another prospect who has watched LSU play multiple times this fall and oneven more occasions since his freshman year. The Monroe, La., native now playing for Trinity Catholic in North Texas fell one spot to No. 70 overall.
LSU wide receiver pledge Darin Turner debuted in the Rivals100. He was previously ranked inside the Rivals250, but saw his stock rise after a breakout junior campaign in which he stood out at both receiver and at safety.