Tigers stock up on defensive backs, running backs

Published 7:00 pm Thursday, December 20, 2018

DBU, aka LSU, lived up to its name on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday.

The Tigers also did a pretty good job of re-stocking the usually-deep running back stable.

“Great day for the LSU Tigers,” head coach Ed Orgeron said after LSU signed 19 players.

Among the signees were the nation’s top defensive back, Derek Stingley from The Dunham School in Baton Rouge, who’s rated the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation by some services, and two of the country’s most coveted running backs.

LSU could possibly sign more players before Friday when the early period ends and Orgeron said the focus will be on the defensive line before the second signing period in early February.

“We’ve done very well so far this year,” Orgeron said. “We’ve got a ways to go. But right now we’re on track to get all of the guys we wanted.”

They got a jump on the defensive line Wednesday with one of the day’s few surprises.

Previously uncommitted Apu Ika of Salt Lake City, the No. 1-ranked overall player in Utah, chose the Tigers early Wednesday over Florida, Oregon, Utah and Southern Cal.

“If you only knew how crazy the last three days have been,” Orgeron said.

“Last year we had so many holes to fill. This year it wasn’t about getting a player who could make us better. It was about getting the best player.”

The Tigers got two of the best at running back with Destrehan’s shifty John Emery, rated No. 2, while Southern Lab’s Tyrion Davis-Price is more of a power back.

“It’s what we needed,” Orgeron said. “It’s what we set out to do. Both of those guys are going to play for us next year.

“We could have signed more. We turned down some running backs. But we were committed to two.”

LSU also beefed up with four offensive linemen, including Davis-Price’s Southern Lab teammate Kardell Thomas, rated by some as the nation’s top guard.

Emery was committed to Georgia early in the process but changed his mind shortly after the Tigers’ 36-16 upset of the Bulldogs in Tiger Stadium.

“We didn’t panic,” Orgeron said of Emery’s recruitment. “We played it cool, played it smooth. I think the Georgia game played a big factor.”

The last Wednesday signee was also a mild surprise as defensive back Rardarious Jones of Horn Lake, Miss., had been committed to Ole Miss.

Jones was a dual-threat quarterback who also played some defense in high school, but will be one of the four defensive backs joining the Tigers.

The jewel of the class, however, had been committed since June.

Orgeron called Stingley, who will enroll early and go through spring practice, one of the best players he’s ever recruited.

“The No. 1 player in the country,” Orgeron said. “Think about that.”

Orgeron also thinks Stingley, the grandson of the late Darrly Stingley, who was paralyzed while playing for the New England Patriots, will also return punts for the Tigers.

“Touchdowns,” he said when asked what Stingley could bring to the return game. “I wish he could play in the (Fiesta) bowl.”

There was only one quarterback in the class — dual-threat Peter Parish of Phenix City, Ala., a 4-star recruit who recently the MVP of the Alabama Class 6A state championship game.

“Just so excited about this recruiting class. It’s a great class,” Orgeron said. “This is going to end up being a very well-rounded class, a much-needed class.”